BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb football team (7-4, 5-2 OVC/Big South) returns to Spangler Stadium on Saturday, November 22, playing host to the Leathernecks of Western Illinois (3-8, 2-5 OVC/Big South) in the regular season finale.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
With a win, the Runnin' Bulldogs will have won eight games for the first time since the 2004 season. A victory would also keep Gardner-Webb's hopes alive for an at-large bid into the FCS playoffs. Currently, the Dawgs are 7-2 against FCS opponents this season.
SERIES HISTORY WITH WESTERN ILLINOIS
Saturday's contest marks the 2nd all-time meeting between the Runnin' Bulldogs and Leathernecks with Western Illinois taking a win in the lone contest of the series. WIU earned a 45-28 win in Macomb last season's finale. This will be the first time the two teams have played in Boiling Springs.
SCOUTING WESTERN ILLINOIS
The Leathernecks are currently 3-8 overall with a 2-5 league mark but have won two if its past three contests. Prior to losing 22-17 last week to Southeast Missouri State, WIU picked up conference wins over Lindenwood (24-21) and Tennessee State (17-16). As a team, Western Illinois averages 22.6 points, 111.6 rushing yards, and 232.6 passing yards per contest.
Freshman quarterback Cason Carswell takes snaps from under center for the Leathernecks, completing 169-of-277 passes for 1,851 yards and 14 touchdowns, which ranks second in the league. Senior Chris Irvin has added 662 yards and five scores.
On the ground, junior Markell Holman has rushed for a team-high 926 yards yards while finding the endzone six times in 2025. Holman trails only Gardner-Webb's Quasean Holmes for the conference lead.
Senior Demari Davis leads Western Illinois with 646 yards receiving to go along with a team-high five TDs. Junior Christian Anaya is second on the team with 458 yards to go along with four receiving touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the ball, WIU's opponents average 35.7 points, 195.2 rushing, and 235 passing yards per game. Senior defensive back Christian Pierce leads the team with 88 total tackles, 46 of the solo variety. Pierce is also tops on the team with 13 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Junior kicker Antonio Chadha is 13-for-19 on field goal attempts with a long of 53 yards while junior punter Luke Droegemueller is averaging 41.34 yards per punt.
Saturday's contest is set to start at 1:30 p.m. EST and will be streamed live on ESPN+ while live stats can be found on the football schedule page at www.gwusports.com. Tickets can be found here.
