BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Senior defensive lineman Robert Holtz tallied a season-high three sacks while the Gardner-Webb (6-4, 4-2) defense recorded a program-record 11 sacks while taking down visiting Southeast Missouri State (3-7, 2-4) by the final of 27-24 on Saturday afternoon at Spangler Stadium. In addition, the 11 sacks are the most by a FCS team this season.
Redshirt junior quarterback Cole Pennington went 15-of-32 for 279 yards and a score while also using his legs to score a touchdown. Redshirt sophomore Chris Lofton was on the receiving end of six catches and 125 yards while graduate back Quasean Holmes racked up 70 yards on 20 carries.
Defensively, nine different players recorded at least half a sack with sophomore linebacker Cahari Haynes leading the way with seven total tackles and one sack.
Gardner-Webb wasted no time putting points on the board, taking its first possession 60 yards on five plays, capped by a 36-yard scamper by Pennington.
After SEMO knotted the score at 7-7, the Runnin' Bulldogs quickly gained the lead back on the next series. Pennington used his legs to keep the play alive before finding graduate tight end Elvin Fofonah for 31 yards and his first receiving touchdown of the season.
Southeast Missouri State added a field goal of its own, but it would be the Dawgs who went into the break leading 14-10.
Offense was at a premium in the second half with Gardner-Webb scoring the first 10 points. Junior place kicker Charlie Viorel connected on a 48-yard field goal before Gresock punched in his team-leading 12th rushing touchdown of the year, pushing the GWU lead to 24-10 with less than seven minutes to play.
However, SEMO did not go quietly as it put together arguably the best drive of the game, marching 74 yards on just four plays. The Redhawks used the aerial attack on the series, passing for 81 yards, including a 22-yard strike from Jax Leatherwood to Kalvin Gilbert.
The Runnin' Bulldogs put the game on ice following an 8-play, 70-yard drive that ended with Viorel's second field goal of the game, a 22-yard boot. SEMO posted a late score, but the ensuing onside kick was unsuccessful as GWU milked the remainder of the clock.
Gardner-Webb hits the road next weekend for its last game away from Spangler Stadium, traveling to Nashville, Tenn. to take on Tennessee State. Kickoff from inside Nissan Stadium is set for 1:30 p.m. EST.
