NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Big South-OVC Football Association announced its conference schedule for the 2024 season on Tuesday afternoon. The defending co-champion Runnin' Bulldogs will play eight conference games, including four home games.
Gardner-Webb will get its conference schedule underway on Sept. 28, when the Runnin' Bulldogs host Tennessee Tech in a matchup of the Association's newest head coaches -- GWU's Cris Reisert and TTU's Bobby Wilder. Other home dates include Oct. 19 versus Lindenwood, Nov. 9 versus Eastern Illinois, and Nov. 16 versus Tennessee State.
The schedule is highlighted by an Oct. 5 game at UT Martin, featuring the league's inaugural co-champions. Both teams finished 2023 Big South-OVC play with 5-1 records. The Runnin' Bulldogs won the automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs with their head-to-head victory over the Skyhawks.
Gardner-Webb's regular season ends at Western Illinois, the Association's newest member, on Nov. 23.
The second-year of the joint Association features nine member teams, each playing a full round-robin eight-game conference schedule. The league slate starts Saturday, Sept. 7, and Association games will primarily take place between Weeks 5 and 13, with one game apiece during Weeks 2 and 4. Seven weeks will feature four Association matchups.
Five of the nine members -- Charleston Southern, Eastern Illinois, Gardner-Webb, Lindenwood and Western Illinois -- will play their Association games in succession.
Below is Gardner-Webb's 2024 complete Big South-OVC schedule, which is subject to change.
Saturday, Sept. 28
Tennessee Tech at Gardner-Webb
Saturday, Oct. 5
Gardner-Webb at UT Martin
Saturday, Oct. 19
Lindenwood at Gardner-Webb
Saturday, Oct. 26
Gardner-Webb at Southeast Missouri
Saturday, Nov. 2
Gardner-Webb at Charleston Southern
Saturday, Nov. 9
Eastern Illinois at Gardner-Webb
Saturday, Nov. 16
Tennessee State at Gardner-Webb
Saturday, Nov. 23
Gardner-Webb at Western Illinois
Fans can find more information on the Gardner-Webb football team by following @gwufootball on X and Instagram. The Runnin' Bulldogs' complete 2024 schedule, including access to season tickets, will be announced at a later date.
