Game #4 - Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs

In the Catamounts' fourth game of the 2021 season, the Cats go out of conference and return to Boiling Springs to face Gardner-Webb for the 11th time overall on the gridiron. 

The two teams were scheduled to meet in Cullowhee for the 2020 season but did not play due to the Covid19 cancellations.   

Game #4 - Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs

When: Saturday, September 25th 

Time:  6 pm 
Where: Spangler Stadium, Boiling Springs, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network

-announcers: Gary Ayers, PxP; Daniel Hooker, Color, Greg McLamb, sideline
TV/video:  ESPN+

-announcers:  Phil Constantino and Al Wallace

Live Stats:   GWU Live Stats

Game Notes:   Western Carolina    -     Gardner-Webb

Tickets:  GWU tickets

Conference: Big South Conference

Mascot:  Runnin' Bulldogs

Colors:  Scarlet and Black

Students:  3,600

Game Day Parking:  $10.00 -  Game Day Parking info

Message Board:  Gardner Webb Fan

The Series: In the 11th meeting between the two teams, the Cats own a 6-4 record overall against the dogs and enter the contest on a 1 game losing streak vs. Gardner-Webb. The 2019 season's loss broke a four-game win streak over the Runnin' Bulldogs by the Cats.  

Tre Lamb's record vs. WCU:  0-0

Kerwin Bell's record vs. GWU:  0-0

Last Game vs. Gardner-Webb (Oct. 5, 2019) - Late Field Goal Lifts Gardner-Webb over Western Carolina, 24-21 -   Cullowhee, N.C. – Gardner-Webb placekicker Kurt Everett nailed a 33-yard field goal as time expired to cap a 16-play, game-winning drive as the Runnin' Bulldogs downed Western Carolina, 24-21, in nonconference action in front of a Family Weekend crowd of 11,865 Saturday afternoon at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. GWU tailback Jayln Cagle patiently rushed for a game-high 138 yards including a crucial 14-yard gain on the game's penultimate play to transform a third-and-13 into a first down while also managing to get out of bounds to preserve five seconds of game clock to set-up Everett's game-winning boot. Despite a pair of timeouts taken by WCU to try and ice the kicker, the redshirt sophomore split the uprights to halt WCU's four-game series winning streak.

Last Season's Record (spring 2021 - GWU): 2-2 overall, 2-1 home, 0-1 away, 0-2 Big South  (wins over Elon, & PC).

This Season's Record (Fall 2021):  1-2 overall, 1-0 home, 0-2 away, 0-0 conference

Head Coach: Tre Lamb is in his second season as head coach at Gardner-Webb University. He was named to the position on December 14, 2019. “We are thrilled to have Tre Lamb agree to lead our football program at Gardner-Webb University,” said GWU President Dr. William Downs. “He quickly rose to the top of a large and distinguished list of interested coaches with his bold vision, his unmatched energy and his confident commitment to winning championships at GWU.

Offensive Formation: Spread Option

Defensive Formation: 4-3

The Runnin' Bulldogs added Joe Scelfo (run game coordinator and offensive line coach) to the coaching staff, as well as elevated current assistant coach Taylor Lamb to the offensive coordinator position, he will continue to coach the team's quarterbacks. Scelfo spent two seasons coaching the guards and centers at Southeast Louisiana. 

Coach Lamb signed a freshman class with 15 members earning All-State honors following their respective senior seasons – the most ever for Gardner-Webb in one incoming class. The Runnin' Bulldogs signed four All-State choices each from North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia, two from South Carolina, and one from Tennessee.  

Gardner-Webb has built a defensive line perhaps as good as in the Big South. The unit goes 11 deep without much drop-off and has experience. The group led the way to 15 sacks in just four games this past spring, in addition to All-America end Ty French (6-3, 230, So.), the ‘Dogs return veteran starters Shai Thomas (6-2, 271, Sr.) and Janathian Turner (6-3, 306, Sr.), along with tackle Charlie Jackson (6-4, 323, So.).  Former starters Kendall Bailey (6-4, 262, Gr.) and Tremayne Booker (6-2, 273, Gr.) have significant experience and have moved from end to playing inside. Former three-star recruit Cash Devaughn (6-2, 293, RFr.) creates depth on the interior, as does former All-State lineman Willie Harris (6-1, 275, Fr.). 

Thus far this season, the Runnin' Bulldogs have faced two FBS opponents (losing both), as well as a non-Division I opponent.  The Dogs lost both FBS games (25-30 GSU & 10-38 Charlotte). GSU is coming off a 56-0 romp over Division II's Lincoln Lions.  It's difficult to get a good reading on the Running Bulldogs since they have played no FCS games this season, after going 0-2 in the spring against Big South opponents.  While the Runnin' Bulldogs held GSU to a 5 point loss, the Eagles came into that game on a 2 game losing streak.  

2021 Runnin' Bulldogs Statistics (3 games):

Rushing Offense: 553 yards 
Yards per game: 184
Yards per rush: 5.4 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 29
TDs rushing: 6
Passing Offense: 627 yards or 209 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 6.4 yards
Passing 1st downs: 29
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 98-55-1

TDs Passing: 6
Total Offense: 1180 yards or 393 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost:  3-1
3d Down Conversions: 14 of 39 or 35%
4th Down Conversions: 4 of 7 or 57%
Field goal attempts: 3 of 5
On-side kicks: 0-0
Red Zone Scores: 10 of 13 
Red Zone Touchdowns: 8 of 13

PAT:  8 of 9