Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs

This week's opponent is the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs.   Located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, the scarlet & black Running Bulldogs play in Spangler Stadium (capacity 9,000) on natural grass.  Steve Patton is the head coach of the Bulldogs in his 14th season and is currently 85-59 at G-W (115-82-1 overall). 

This will be the first trip to Boiling Springs since 2004, and only the second time the Catamounts have traveled to G-W in the 4 game series.  The series is currently tied at 2-2, with the Bulldogs winning the last two meetings, 26-20 in overtime in 2004 and and 27-20 last year in Cullowhee.

Gardner-Webb is 2-0 coming into this game, with a home win over Div II Brevard, 28-14 and a road win (in overtime) against FBS foe Akron, 38-37.  The Bulldogs received 156 votes in this week’s Sports Network poll, which ranks them five spots out of the Top 25, and were just three total votes away from the Coaches’ Poll, Top 25 Monday, ranking 26th with 69 total votes.

Players to watch Saturday -

Senior Bryce Nixon 6-0, 186, Corner Back. The Big South Defensive Player of the Week. Nixon had a total of nine hits (8 solo) and a blocked a PAT in overtime at the Akron game.

Redshirt Junior James Perry III 6-0, 182, Wide Receiver. The Big South Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week. Perry caught 10 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns at Akron. He is a two-time All-Big South selection, while leading the league with 61 catches in 2009