HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Gardner-Webb football team's attempt at an upset came up just short on Saturday evening as the Runnin' Bulldogs fell to James Madison by the final of 13-6.
 
After a scoreless first quarter, Gardner-Webb struck first in the second period. Starting the drive with 14:55 on the clock, the Runnin' Bulldogs racked up 48 yards on 12 plays before having to settle for a Jay Billingsley 44-yard field goal.
 
That would be all the scoring in the first half of play as GWU held the Dukes potent offense off the scoreboard over the first 30 minutes of action.
 
However, after a three-and-out by the Runnin' Bulldogs to start the second half, James Madison was able to post its first score while pushing ahead 7-3 on the board. A 10-play, 58-yard drive was capped Tyler Purdy rushing touchdown.
 
An interception on the next drive from Gardner-Webb allowed the Dukes to pad its lead to 10-3 following a 48-yard field by the JMU placekicker.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs did not go away as they took the ensuing kickoff and drove 62 yards on 11 plays, but were stalled out at the James Madison 13-yard line, but came away with three points thanks to a 30-yard field goal off the foot of Billingsley.
 
James Madison extended the lead back to a touchdown with a 26-yard field goal of its own while proving to have the last points of the game.
 
Gardner-Webb will be back in action on Saturday, September 14, traveling to the Queen City to take on Charlotte at 6 p.m.