BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Returning to the friendly confines of Spangler Stadium for the first time in two weeks, the Gardner-Webb (4-6, 3-3) football team put on a defensive display, recording 11 sacks while holding off a late rally by Eastern Illinois (2-8, 1-5) in a 31-28 win on Saturday afternoon.
 
Redshirt-junior linebacker Trevor Moffitt led the 'Dawgs with seven tackles to go along with 2.0 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Senior defensive back Jeff Bowens added a team-high eight total tackles while senior defensive lineman Antonio O'Berry set a career high with four sacks.
 
Redshirt-senior quarterback Tyler Riddell led the offensive charge with 337 yards passing on 26-of-34, throwing one touchdown. Graduate wide receiver Taylor Shields caught four passes for a team-high 86 yards and a long of 65.
 
After forcing the Panthers to a punt on the first possession of the game, Gardner-Webb wasted no time putting points on the board with its first series covering 80 yards on just five plays. Riddell connected with Shields for 65 yards before sophomore running back Carson Gresock capped the scoring effort with an 11-yard plunge into the endzone.
 
That lead ballooned to 10-0 on the very next possession for GWU. The Runnin' Bulldogs covered 44 yards on six plays before junior kicker Jay Billingsley set a new school record with a 54-yard field goal.
 
Eastern Illinois was able to put its first points on the board early in the second quarter. Gardner-Webb looked poised to stall the EIU drive after forcing the Panthers to a 3^rd-and-12, but Pierce Holley found CJ Nelson for 31 yards and a score.
 
From that point, the Runnin' Bulldogs started to create separation, scoring the game's next 21 points, pushing out to a commanding 31-7 lead. During the offensive explosion, junior receiver Caleb Borders was able to haul in a 17-yard touchdown pass while senior running back Quasean Holmes added a 10-yard rushing touchdown. Gresock capped the scoring with a 3-yard burst to paydirt midway through the third period.
 
However, Eastern Illinois began to gain rhythm on the offensive side of the ball, beginning with an 8-yard pitch-and-catch from Holley to Cooper Willman, trimming the deficit to 31-14 heading to the final quarter.
 
The Panthers followed that up with two-play drive that covered 80 yards as Willman took a short pass and raced to the endzone for his second score. Following a missed field goal by the Runnin' Bulldogs, EIU made things uncomfortable for the home team with a 25-yard receiving touchdown while pulling to within 31-28 with less than five to play.
 
Gardner-Webb was forced to punt on its next series, giving the Panthers an opportunity to tie or take the lead. After driving inside GWU territory, graduate corner Miles Rchardson picked off Holley in the endzone while sealing the deal for the 'Dawgs.
 
Gardner-Webb will return to action on Saturday, November 16, playing host to Tennessee State in the home finale. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. inside Spangler Stadium.