ATLANTA, Ga. – Gardner-Webb (1-1) football was dealt a 59-12 loss at the hands of the ACC's Georgia Tech (2-0) on Saturday afternoon inside Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Graduate wide receiver Anthony Lowe led the Runnin' Bulldogs with eight catches for 88 yards and a score. Backup quarterback Cole Pennington came into the game, completing 14-of-21 passes for 164 yards and a score. The running game was held in check on the day with graduate back Quasean Holmes leading the way with 48 yards on 14 carries.Redshirt sophomore Chris Lofton ended the contest with five receptions and 56 yards.

Gardner-Webb finished with 326 yards of total offense, including 209 through the air and 117 on the ground.

The Runnin' Bulldogs took an early lead in the ball game after a huge hit on defense by redshirt junior Darius Johnson Jr. caused a fumble, giving GWU the ball in plus territory. On the ensuing drive, starting quarterback Nate Hampton used his legs, rushing for 20 yards while graduate running back Quasean Holmes added a 26-yard burst before Hampton found Lowe for a 1-yard pitch-and-catch. The extra point was missed, but the Dawgs led 6-0.

However, Georgia Tech, on its third possession of the game, was able to take its first lead following a 4-play, 53-yard drive that was capped by an 11-yard pass from Philo to Isiah Cannon.

Gardner-Webb threatened to begin the third quarter, but a turnover on downs allowed Georgia Tech to extend its advantage following a 55-yard burst to the end zone by Malachi Hosley with 13:32 remaining in the first half.

The unanswered points streak ran to 28 after scoring drives of 3-plays, 94-yards and 7-plays, 36-yards by the Yellow Jackets, sending Georgia Tech into the halftime intermission with a 28-6 advantage.

The Runnin' Bulldogs forced GT to a turnover on downs to open the second half, but a costly fumble allowed the Yellow Jackets to tack onto their lead, needing only 25 yards on five plays, finished by a Hosley 5-yard run.

GWU looked poised to tack more points on the board following a 15-play, 52-yard drive, but a blocked field goal was returned for a score and a GT 42-6 lead with half a minute remaining in the third quarter.

The Dawgs were finally able to add to their point total, capping a 7-play, 75-yard drive with a 14-yard reception from Pennington to graduate receiver Caleb Borders, both their first touchdown of the year, trimming the deficit to 42-12 with 13:39 left on the game clock.

Georgia Tech scored the final 17 points of the game while walking away with the 59-12 win.

Gardner-Webb returns to the field next Saturday, September 13, hosting The Citadel while opening the home portion of its 2025 schedule. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. inside Spangler Stadium.