Box Score BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University football team fell in its Big South-OVC opener on Saturday afternoon, with visiting Tennessee Tech running ahead in a 52-21 GWU defeat in Spangler Stadium.
It would be a nip and tuck first quarter on Saturday, with the two sides trading early possessions. The Golden Eagles eventually struck first, going 80 yards in 9 plays for the opening score. With 9:53 left in the opening frame, the Runnin' Bulldogs were behind just 7-0. That score held out through the opening 15 minutes.
By the midway part of the second quarter, Tennessee Tech extended its lead to 21-0. An 8 play, 70 yard drive in under two minutes put the Golden Eagles on the board for a second time, before a short punt allowed the visitors to match just 40 yards and extend the lead to three scores.
GWU did get on the board to make the game competitive going into halftime, with redshirt senior quarterback Tyler Riddell finding senior wide receiver Jordan Bly for a 19 yard score, capping a 75 yard Runnin' Bulldogs drive. With 3:39 until halftime, GWU trailed just 21-7.
Tennessee Tech ended the half with a quick-fire drive into field goal range, adding three more for a 24-7 score.
The Golden Eagles continued to move the ball largely on the ground, tacking on three more third quarter touchdowns to put the contest out of reach, including an 87 yard touchdown carry. With just 15 minutes remaining, the Runnin' Bulldogs faced a 52-7 deficit.
There was no quit in the Gardner-Webb team though, with the Runnin' Bulldogs able to grab two late scores to cut into the deficit.
Graduate quarterback Ren Hefley drove the 'Dawgs down the field for a one yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Camden Overton to make the score 52-14 with 3:58 to go.
Sophomore running back Carson Gresock then added to a team-high 86 rushing yards, punching the ball in from two yards out to make it 52-21, just before Tennessee Tech ran out the remaining 1:24 on the clock.
Gardner-Webb now turns attention to a road game at UT Martin, next Saturday at 3:00 pm.
