Gardner-Webb University
1-4 , 0-0
Marshall
3-1 , 0-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardner-Webb | 14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| Marshall | 10 | 17 | 0 | 9 | 36 |
Adopte Shines as Runnin’ Bulldogs Battle to the Last Second at Marshall
September 26, 2026 | Football
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Giovanni Adopte turned in a career performance Saturday afternoon, but the Gardner-Webb football team fell just short in a 36-35 loss at Marshall at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Adopte hauled in seven passes for a career-high 179 yards and two touchdowns, while the Runnin' Bulldogs recorded a defensive touchdown for the third consecutive game.
Pennington finished the afternoon 22-of-33 passing for 298 yards and four touchdowns. Kory Jones added four receptions for 60 yards and two touchdowns, while Christian Vann led the Runnin' Bulldogs on the ground with 99 rushing yards on 14 carries.
The Runnin' Bulldogs jumped out to a fast start, taking the opening drive as Jones caught his first touchdown pass of the season from Pennington to jump out to an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
After Marshall scored on its opening drive, it took all of one play for the Runnin' Bulldogs to answer as Adopte hauled in a 75-yard touchdown pass from Pennington to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a 14-7 lead. The junior receiver continued to make an impact throughout the afternoon, adding a 44-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter to give Gardner-Webb a 35-27 advantage.
After a Thundering Herd field goal in the quarter to make it 14-10, the Runnin' Bulldog defense continued its recent playmaking ways as Shawn Battle intercepted a pass from Carlos Del Rio-Wilson to keep the score at 14-10.
Marshall took a 21-17 lead early in the second quarter and after a missed field goal, the defense delivered once again. Ruben Tshilombo scooped up a Marshall fumble and raced 36 yards for a touchdown, marking the third straight game in which the Runnin' Bulldogs have scored a defensive touchdown. The defense was also led by a trio of double-digit tacklers, with Jamarion Ravenell recording 12 stops while Tre Yanez and Nigel Lucas each added 11 tackles. The defense also had four sacks with Trey Weems picking up two and Yanez and AJ Mebane each recording a sack.
Marshall took a 27-21 lead into halftime but Gardner-Webb captured it back in the third quarter with Jone's second touchdown catch with 3:11 left in the third quarter. Adopte added another touchdown catch with 9:24 remaining in the contest to extend the Runnin' Bulldogs lead to 35-27.
Marshall rallied with a pair of fourth-quarter scores, however, The Thundering Herd's final points came on a 32-yard field goal with just three seconds remaining, giving Marshall the narrow 36-35 victory.
Gardner-Webb finished the afternoon with 458 yards of total offense, including 298 through the air and 160 on the ground.
Adopte's seven receptions and 179 receiving yards both marked career highs, highlighting one of the most productive performances of his Gardner-Webb career.
UP NEXT
- Gardner-Webb returns to action Saturday, Oct. 3, at Charleston Southern in the North/South BBQ Bowl.
- Kickoff is set for 6 p.m from Buccaneer Field.
- The contest is also the OVC opener for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
- Gardner-Webb defeated Charleston Southern 30-27 last season in Boiling Springs.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
GWU 7, MAR 0
GWU - Jones,Kory 11 yd pass from Pennington,Cole (Simpson,Tyler kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:53
GWU 7, MAR 7
MAR - Turner-Bradshaw,Xayvion 48 yd pass from Del Rio-Wilson,Carlos (Diaz Nicolas,Jorge kick) 6 plays, 72 yards, TOP 03:01
GWU 14, MAR 7
GWU - Adopte,Giovanni 75 yd pass from Pennington,Cole (Simpson,Tyler kick) 1 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:12
GWU 14, MAR 10
MAR - Diaz Nicolas,Jorge 54 yd field goal 6 plays, 36 yards, TOP 01:51
GWU 14, MAR 17
MAR - Barbie,Joshon 8 yd pass from Del Rio-Wilson,Carlos (Diaz Nicolas,Jorge kick) 11 plays, 91 yards, TOP 06:42
GWU 21, MAR 17
GWU - Tshilombo,Ruben 36 yd fumble recovery (Simpson,Tyler kick)
GWU 21, MAR 24
MAR - Barbie,Joshon 5 yd run (Diaz Nicolas,Jorge kick), 9 plays, 59 yards, TOP 03:28
GWU 21, MAR 27
MAR - Diaz Nicolas,Jorge 21 yd field goal 4 plays, 15 yards, TOP 00:36
GWU 28, MAR 27
GWU - Jones,Kory 25 yd pass from Pennington,Cole (Simpson,Tyler kick) 15 plays, 91 yards, TOP 06:21
GWU 35, MAR 27
GWU - Adopte,Giovanni 44 yd pass from Pennington,Cole (Simpson,Tyler kick) 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 04:04
GWU 35, MAR 33
MAR - Turner-Bradshaw,Xayvion 34 yd pass from Del Rio-Wilson,Carlos () 8 plays, 74 yards, TOP 03:18
GWU 35, MAR 36
MAR - Diaz Nicolas,Jorge 32 yd field goal 10 plays, 66 yards, TOP 01:54
