NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Graduate running back Quasean Holmes rushed for 135 yards and a score, junior defensive back Josiah Harris snagged a career-high three interceptions, and the Gardner-Webb (7-4, 5-2) football team took advantage of four takeaways in a 30-14 win over Tennessee State (2-9, 0-7) on Saturday afternoon inside Nissan Stadium.
Redshirt-junior Cole Pennington threw for 108 yards and a score while junior Carson Gresock added his conference-leading 13th rushing touchdown of the season. The Runnin' Bulldogs four interceptions are the most since a 9-pick game in 1992. Harris' three individual takeaways are the most since Michael Woods picked off three versus New Haven during the 2000 season.
For the second consecutive game, Gardner-Webb held its opponent to under 100 yards rushing as the Tigers were only able to gain 54 yards on the ground. After starter Jonathan Palmer went 7-of-14 with the four giveaways, Byron McNair finished the game going 18-of-24 for 171 yards and two scores for TSU.
Scoring came in bunches for Gardner-Webb in the first half, scoring 23 points before the Tigers could get on the board. Junior kicker Charlie Viorel connected on a trio of field goals while Gresock added a rushing score. Graduate Anthony Lowe capped the points for GWU with a 17-yard receiving touchdown with 2:43 left before halftime.
Holmes opened the second half with his lone score of the game, a three-yard burst to paydirt. The only other score of the half came from Tennessee State's Snap Reed, who caught both touchdowns for the Tigers.
Gardner-Webb will close out the 2025 regular season next Saturday as it plays host to the Leathernecks of Western Illinois at Spangler Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
