MACOMB, Ill. – The Gardner-Webb (4-8, 3-5) football team wrapped up the 2024 season with a tough 45-28 loss at Western Illinois (4-8, 3-5) on Saturday afternoon on Hanson Field. The Runnin' Bulldogs were plagued by four turnovers over the course of the game.
 
Redshirt-senior quarterback Tyler Riddell led the passing game for GWU, completing 23-of-35 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns. Senior receiver Anthony Lowe hauled in five passes for a team-high 84 yards. Senior running back Quasean Holmes added six catches for 56 yards and two scores.
 
Gardner-Webb finished with 348 total yards of offense, including 293 through the air and 55 on the ground. The Leathernecks had a monstrous day offensively, gaining 511 yards on 67 plays.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs started the game strong, turning a WIU fumble on its first drive into an early touchdown midway through the opening quarter. A 25-yard completion to Lowe set the 'Dawgs up in opponent territory before Riddell capped the drive with a 20-yard touchdown strike to graduate receiver Taylor Shields.
 
However, Western Illinois was able to come back and knot the score at 7-7 following a 5-play, 34-yard drive that lasted just over 90 seconds. The Leathernecks were able to take their first lead of the game moments later after Nathan Lamb found Matthew Henry for 17 yards and a score with 12 minutes to play before halftime.
 
Looking to put points on the board before the half, Gardner-Webb got the ball back with 1:54 to play, driving just over half the field in eight plays while Holmes busted through for one yard and the game-tying score, sending the contest into the break deadlocked at 14-14.
 
That score did not last long as the Leathernecks needed only two plays in the second half to jump back ahead after Christian Anaya found himself behind the defense for a 78-yard touchdown reception.
 
Once again, the Runnin' Bulldogs showed grit, taking advantage of an awful punt by WIU, setting up shop at the Leathernecks' 24-yard line. It took one play to find paydirt as Riddell found Holmes across the middle for a score.
 
After Western Illinois regained the lead 28-21, the 'Dawgs used a 12-play, 47-yard drive, finished off by a 1-yard carry to the endzone from redshirt-sophomore running back Carson Gresock, pulling even at 28 with 5:29 left in the third.
 
Unfortunately, that would be the last points scored by Gardner-Webb as the Leathernecks capitalized on costly turnovers, scoring the game's final 17 points enroute to the season-ending win.