Gardner-Webb University
0-2 , 0-0
Wofford
2-0 , 1-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardner-Webb | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 13 |
| Wofford | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
Late Game-Winning Drive Stalled By Interception, Gardner-Webb Falls Short
September 06, 2026 | Football
SPARTANBURG, S.C.- The Runnin' Bulldogs battled until the end but fell just short on Saturday against the Wofford Terriers 17-13 at Gibbs Stadium. The game started at 1:30 p.m. and right at the halftime whistle the game would go under a weather delay for over an hour and a half before resuming for the second half.
The first quarter featured a back and forth battle between both teams. Wofford struck first to open the scoring for the day. Ivory Aikens took the opening kick 97 yards to the end zone to give Wofford an early 7-0 lead. Gardner-Webb on their next drive would find a rhythm offensively and were able to reach the redzone. Unfortunately Wofford's Jordan Johnson forced a fumble and Jeremiah Shelby recovered it. The Runnin' Bulldogs came up with a turnover of their own as the defense would get to J.T. Fayard and force him to throw an interception to Nigel Lucas. Gardner-Webb looked to establish the run game early and Cole Pennington and Kory Jones continued their connection from the previous and were able to put together a 13 play, 56 yard drive that would eventually result in a field goal.
The Runnin' Bulldogs continued to come up big by forcing Wofford to punt on their next two drives, however near the end of the half Wofford would put a long drive together of 10 plays, 79 yards and Gerald Modest Jr. reached the end zone to extend the Terriers lead to 14-3. Going into halftime there was lighting in the area that would put the game on hold for a little over an hour and a half.
Play resumed at 4:30 p.m. and Gardner-Webb looked to immediately to answer and get back in the game but were forced to punt and give the ball back to Wofford. However Gardner-Webb once again would force another turnover of their own. AJ Mebane would get to Fayard and force a fumble on a sack which would be recovered by Renardo Lewis and give the Runnin' Bulldogs the ball back and momentum. Gardner-Webb was able to take advantge of mental mistakes made by the Wofford defense as two crucial personal fouls would move the Gardner-Webb offense into great scoring position. A couple of key completions from Pennington to both Jones and Gio Adopte would keep the offense on the field and Randy Young would run it in for a six yard touchdown to bring the Runnin' Bulldogs within one score.
On Wofford's ensuing drive the Gardner-Webb defense stood tall and forced a punt. However Gardner-Webb's defense was not the only one standing tall as Wofford would stand tall and prevent the Runnin' Bulldogs from moving the ball effectively. Wofford would put a good drive together and extend their lead to 17-10 with a field goal from Sam Spence.
Gardner-Webb started their drive from the one-yard line and Kory Jones delivered for the Runnin' Bulldogs as he and Cole Pennington would connect for a 79 yard completion that sparked energy from the Runnin' Bulldog sideline and put Garner-Webb's offense in the redzone. Wofford would stand tall once again and force a field goal try that would be converted by Tyler Simpson cutting the Wofford lead to just 4 with around six minutes left.
After a crucial three and out forced by the Runnin' Bulldogs defense the offense would get a chance to win the game with just under six minutes to go. Montez Green would play a huge role in the drive making a crucial third down catch to extend the drive and advance through Runnin' Bulldogs into plus territory. Adopte would do the same later in the drive as he would toe tap his way inside the red zone on third down.
With an effective drive Gardner-Webb seemed like they would be able to get in the end zone and they did on a strike delivered from Pennington to Jones, unfortunately it was called back due to offsetting penalties, one on each team. On the next play Wofford would provide pressure that would get to Pennington and force an interception giving Wofford the win.
Despite the loss, Gardner-Webb was able to force three turnovers througout the afternoon and repeatedly gave the offense opportunities to stay within striking distance. The Runnin' Bulldogs offense also produced many explosive plays including the 79-yard completion from Pennington to Jones late in the fourth quarter.
Gardner-Webb will be back in action against Liberty University next week at Williams Stadium in Lynchbury, VA.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
GWU 0, WOF 7
WOF - Aikens,Ivory 97 yd kickoff return (Spence,Sam kick)
GWU 3, WOF 7
GWU - Bontekoe,Andrew 25 yd field goal 12 plays, 56 yards, TOP 05:05
GWU 3, WOF 14
WOF - Modest Jr.,Gerald 9 yd run (Spence,Sam kick), 10 plays, 79 yards, TOP 03:46
GWU 10, WOF 14
GWU - Young,Randy 6 yd run (Simpson,Tyler kick), 13 plays, 62 yards, TOP 05:04
GWU 10, WOF 17
WOF - Spence,Sam 32 yd field goal 6 plays, 36 yards, TOP 03:09
GWU 13, WOF 17
GWU - Simpson,Tyler 33 yd field goal 7 plays, 82 yards, TOP 02:53
