BOILING SPRINGS. N.C. – The Gardner-Webb University (4-7, 3-4) football finished the home portion of its schedule with a tough 23-20 loss to Tennessee State (8-3, 5-2) on Saturday afternoon inside Spangler Stadium.
 
Redshirt-senior quarterback Tyler Riddell concluded the day with 207 yards passing while connecting with junior tight end Camden Overton seven times for 74 yards. Graduate running back Edward Saydee led the rushing attack with 68 yards on 18 carries and one touchdown. Graduate linebacker Raquon Hartley put together a monster game defensively, tallying a game-high 16 tackles to go along with two tackles for loss.
 
The Tigers wasted no time putting points on the board after taking the opening kickoff 65 yards on nine plays for an early 7-0 lead following a 23-yard pitch-and-catch from Draylen Ellis to CJ Evans.
 
Tennessee State looked as if it would blow the game open during its second series, racking up 82 yards on 12 plays while punching the ball in the end zone once more. However, graduate defensive lineman Ayden Bell got his big paw on the ensuing extra point attempt while graduate defensive back Miles Richardson scooped the ball up, racing the other way for 98 yards and two points for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
 
Gardner-Webb continued to cut into the deficit on the next drive, putting together its best series of the contest after racking up 75 yards on 18 plays and a touchdown. Riddell fueled the drive a 14-yard scramble on 3^rd-and-11 to keep the chains moving. After GWU was flagged for 15 yards, the Tigers returned the favor with an extracurricular play of its own.
 
Moving the ball into enemy territory, Riddell connected with Overton for 10 yards before redshirt-sophomore Carson Gresock powered his way in from three yards out while pulling the 'Dawgs to within 13-9. A missed field goal allowed the score to remain the same heading into halftime.
 
Offense was at a premium to begin the second half as both teams stalled on multiple drives. However, the Runnin' Bulldogs moved the score to just one point, 13-12, following a short 5-play, 26-yard drive that ended in a 40-yard field goal off the leg of redshirt-junior Jay Billingsley.
 
Unfortunately, Tennessee State answered that with a touchdown, pushing the advantage out to 20-12. During the 75-yard drive, Jalal Dean put the visitors in prime position with a 61-yard reception.
 
The Tigers ballooned their lead to 23-12 after a 30-yard field goal by James Lowery with less than five minutes to play in regulation. Gardner-Webb did not go quietly, however, putting together a solid 42-yard drive that resulted in a Saydee 6-yard scamper to paydirt. Riddell then showed off his mobility on the two-point attempt, eventually finding Overton in the back of the endzone for the score.
 
Gardner-Webb was unsuccessful on the ensuing onside kick attempt while TSU was able to take a knee on three straight to end the game with a 23-20 win.
 
Gardner-Webb will close out the regular season on Saturday, November 23, traveling to Macomb, Ill. to face Western Illinois. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.