Saturday, September 26
Huntington, W. Va.
3:30 PM
Gardner-Webb University
at
Marshall
Runnin’ Bulldogs Close out Nonconference Slate with Contest at Marshall
September 25, 2026 | Football
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. — The Gardner-Webb heads back out on the road for its final nonconference contest as the Runnin' Bulldogs face the Marshall Thundering Herd at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.Â
The Runnin' Bulldogs are looking to build on the positive momentum from last week's 44-20 victory over North Carolinas Central in the home opener last week at Spangler Stadium.
Quarterback Cole Pennington put together one of his best starts of the season to this point, finishing 24-of-38 for 309 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. It is the third time he has thrown for 300-plus yards so far in 2026. The entire offense put together a strong showing with 445 yards in the victory over the Eagles.
Pennington and running back Randy Young were both key parts of that effort. Young finished with 92 yards rushing and a score. Both players have spent time at Marshall in their collegiate careers: Pennington from 2022-2024 and Young during the 2023-24 seasons.
Additionally, the passing offense has been strong thanks to top target Kory Jones. He finished with 131 yards on six catches and has 419 yards receiving through four games this season.
The Runnin' Bulldogs also celebrated the first victory for head coach Pete Bennett, who is also serving as the special teams coordinator.Â
Defensively, Gardner-Webb recorded a season-best eight tackles for loss and four sacks. The Runnin' Bulldogs also scored a defensive touchdown for the second straight game as Hunter West capped the scoring with a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Linebacker Tre Yanez and kicker Tyler Simpson were both named OVC Defensive and Co-Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, for their efforts last Saturday.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will look to slow down Marshall's offense, particularly quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson. He is both the team's leading passer and rusher through three games. The Thundering Herd enter Saturday's contest on a two-game winning streak, having defeated Middle Tennessee 28-26 and Missouri State 30-24 in consecutive weeks.
Saturday's contest marks the third meeting between the two programs. Marshall has won the previous two contests, both in Huntington. The most recent was a 28-7 defeat for Gardner-Webb on October 1, 2022. The other took place on September 7, 2013, a 55-0 defeat.
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GAME INFORMATION
Gardner-Webb at Marshall
Date: September 26, 2026
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Joan C. Edwards Stadium
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=676999
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The Runnin' Bulldogs are looking to build on the positive momentum from last week's 44-20 victory over North Carolinas Central in the home opener last week at Spangler Stadium.
Quarterback Cole Pennington put together one of his best starts of the season to this point, finishing 24-of-38 for 309 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. It is the third time he has thrown for 300-plus yards so far in 2026. The entire offense put together a strong showing with 445 yards in the victory over the Eagles.
Pennington and running back Randy Young were both key parts of that effort. Young finished with 92 yards rushing and a score. Both players have spent time at Marshall in their collegiate careers: Pennington from 2022-2024 and Young during the 2023-24 seasons.
Additionally, the passing offense has been strong thanks to top target Kory Jones. He finished with 131 yards on six catches and has 419 yards receiving through four games this season.
The Runnin' Bulldogs also celebrated the first victory for head coach Pete Bennett, who is also serving as the special teams coordinator.Â
Defensively, Gardner-Webb recorded a season-best eight tackles for loss and four sacks. The Runnin' Bulldogs also scored a defensive touchdown for the second straight game as Hunter West capped the scoring with a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Linebacker Tre Yanez and kicker Tyler Simpson were both named OVC Defensive and Co-Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, for their efforts last Saturday.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will look to slow down Marshall's offense, particularly quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson. He is both the team's leading passer and rusher through three games. The Thundering Herd enter Saturday's contest on a two-game winning streak, having defeated Middle Tennessee 28-26 and Missouri State 30-24 in consecutive weeks.
Saturday's contest marks the third meeting between the two programs. Marshall has won the previous two contests, both in Huntington. The most recent was a 28-7 defeat for Gardner-Webb on October 1, 2022. The other took place on September 7, 2013, a 55-0 defeat.
Â
GAME INFORMATION
Gardner-Webb at Marshall
Date: September 26, 2026
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Joan C. Edwards Stadium
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=676999
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