CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Gardner-Webb (3-6, 2-3) football team took down Charleston Southern (1-8, 0-6) in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon at Buccaneer Field. The Runnin' Bulldogs built a 17-7 lead with less than six minutes to play before holding off a furious rally by the home team, securing a 17-14 win following a missed field goal by CSU in the final seconds.
 
Graduate running back Edward Saydee ripped off  86 yards on 25 carries to go with a 44-yard touchdown to lead the ground attack for GWU while redshirt-senior Tyler Riddell tossed 212 yards and one score. Graduate receiver Taylor Shields caught four balls for a team-high 65 yards and a score. Junior Camden Overton tallied a game-high five receptions.
 
Offense was at a premium over the first 25 minutes of game time as the two defenses stood tall while not allowing any points on the scoreboard. However, Gardner-Webb was able to put together an 18-play, 62-yard drive just before the half, taking a 3-0 lead following a 25-yard field goal off the foot of redshirt-junior Jay Billingsley.
 
That lead extended to 10-0 after the first drive of the second half by the Runnin' Bulldogs. Riddell hooked up with redshirt-junior Caleb Borders for 20 yards on first down before Saydee found a seam on the left edge for 44 yards and a score.
 
Charleston Southern was finally able to put points on the board midway through the third period. After forcing a fumble, the Buccaneers gained the necessary 18 yards on three plays while trimming the deficit to 10-7.
 
However, the Runnin Bulldogs put pressure on CSU, taking the next possession and milking just under six minutes off the clock with a 12-play, 90-yard drive to balloon the lead back to double-digits at 17-7. Riddell connected with Shields for a 14-yard strike in the end zone.
 
The game became interesting after that with Charleston Southern punched in its second touchdown of the game with 26 seconds left, trimming the lead to just three points. The Buccaneers recovered the ensuing onsides kick, but kicker Reid Montgomery pushed the potential game-tying field goal to the right, allowing GWU to walk away with the 17-14 BBQ Bowl victory.
 
Gardner-Webb will return to the friendly confines of Spangler Stadium on Saturday, November 9, playing host to Eastern Illinois in Big South/OVC action. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. and will serve as the Runnin' Bulldogs Military Appreciation Game.