Runnin' Bulldogs Suffer Setback At Home Against Lindenwood

Saturday, November 7

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.

1:30 PM

Gardner-Webb University

3-7 , 2-3

Lindenwood

5-4 , 4-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Lindenwood	7	10	3	14	34
Gardner-Webb	6	3	6	6	21

Gardner-Webb Game Notes (PDF)Lindenwood Game Notes (PDF)

Photo by: Abby Williams - GWU Sports Photography

November 07, 2026 | Football

Box Score

By: Tony Venegas, Assistant AD of Strategic Communication

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Cole Pennington returned to the lineup after missing the previous three games due to injury, throwing three touchdown passes, but the Gardner-Webb football team fell 34-21 to Lindenwood Saturday afternoon at Spangler Stadium. The contest served as the Runnin' Bulldogs' annual Homecoming game.

Kory Jones and Sean Brady each recorded season-best performances in receptions and receiving yards, while the Gardner-Webb defense was led by a career afternoon from Tre Yanez, who finished with a season-high 19 tackles.

Pennington completed 18-of-34 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns in his return to the lineup. Jones hauled in a season-high 11 receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns, while Brady added five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown, both season highs.

On the defensive side, Yanez paced the Runnin' Bulldogs with 19 tackles, including 14 solo stops. Cahari Haynes also reached double figures with 13 tackles and two tackles for loss.

Trey Weems turned in a strong performance along the defensive line, recording six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. His first-quarter sack and forced fumble helped set up Gardner-Webb's opening touchdown.

Gardner-Webb falls to 3-7 overall and 2-3 in Ohio Valley Conference play, while Lindenwood improves to 5-4 overall and 4-1 in league action.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter: Lindenwood opened the scoring with a 32-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 advantage. Gardner-Webb responded after Weems forced a fumble on a sack, with AJ Mebane recovering the loose ball at the Lindenwood 25-yard line. Just three plays later, Pennington connected with Jones for a 20-yard touchdown. The Runnin' Bulldogs' extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving Lindenwood with a 7-6 lead.
Second Quarter: Lindenwood extended its advantage with a 21-yard field goal before Gardner-Webb answered with a 47-yard field goal from Tyler Simpson to pull within one at 10-9. The Lions added a late touchdown on an 11-yard quarterback run with 1:21 remaining in the half to take a 17-9 lead into the break.
Third Quarter: Lindenwood added to its lead with a 47-yard field goal early in the quarter, making it 20-9. Gardner-Webb responded late in the frame as Pennington found Jones for a 12-yard touchdown reception with 1:09 remaining. The Runnin' Bulldogs pulled within 20-15 heading into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Lindenwood struck quickly to open the fourth quarter, scoring a pair of touchdowns in the first 1:17 to extend its advantage to 34-15. Gardner-Webb continued to battle, and after the defense forced another fumble, Hunter West recovered the loose ball to give the Runnin' Bulldogs possession at their own 45-yard line. Pennington then connected with Brady for a 35-yard touchdown with 3:12 remaining to cut the deficit to 34-21. However, Lindenwood held on for the victory.

UP NEXT

Gardner-Webb hits the road for the final time during the regular season next Saturday, Nov. 14, traveling to Macomb, Ill., to face Western Illinois in an Ohio Valley Conference matchup.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Eastern.