CONWAY, S.C. - Coastal Carolina played its first-ever Big South Conference game against defending champion Gardner-Webb and ended up on the short end of a 38-17 decision, Oct. 4. Gardner-Webb moved to 4-2 and 1-0 in the Big South, while the Chanticleers fell to 2-3 and 0-1 in conference play.
Gardner Webb got on the board first on a 10-yard pass from Nick Roberts to William Andrews, Jr. to put the Runnin' Bulldogs up 7-0 with 7:33 to play in the first.
Coastal answered nine minutes later in the second quarter with a 29-yard field goal by Josh Hoke, cutting the advantage to 7-3, but Gardner Webb would score twice more in the second quarter. Harold Wells found the end zone on a two-yard run at the 7:44 mark, and Smith made the extra point, putting the Runnin' Bulldogs up 14-3. Smith then connected on a field goal with no time remaining in the quarter, bringing the score to 17-3 at half time.
GWU's Roberts would open the second-half scoring on a three-yard Gardner Webb touchdown run with 8:50 to play in the third quarter. Jake Neal then blocked and recovered a Coastal punt in the end zone for a 31-3 GWU lead. After Roberts scored on a four-yard run with 10:51 to play in the game to push the margin to 35, Coastal battled back late, first on Aundres Perkins' 13-yard touchdown run with 8:54 to play and then on Tyler Thigpen's eight-yard run to make the final 38-17.
Perkins posted his third consecutive 100-yard game, going for 101 yards on 19 carries. Ren McKinnon was 10-for-19 for 63 yards passing, with eight Coastal players catching a pass in the game.
Gardner-Webb was led by Chris Foster with 19 carries for 123 yards, while quarterback Roberts was 13-for-23 for 147 yards and one touchdown. Andrews, Jr. had eight catches for the Runnin' Bulldogs for 88 yards and a touchdown, breaking the school record for career receptions, now at 194 receptions, 2,650 yards, and 28 touchdowns.
Coastal is at home next week, hosting Charleston (W.Va.), Sat., Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. while Gardner-Web hosts Liberty for a Big South Conference tilt at 3:30 p.m. Both games are being televised on The Football Network.
Coastal Head Coach David Bennett Quotes
"When you get down 38-3, you find out who your warriors are and who is going to play until the end and I am very proud of how we continued to fight and finish this game. This was one where the experience made a difference, as we had some mistakes and that Gardner-Webb capitalized on. They are a very good football team, but we showed some heart tonight. We just have to rebound and get ready for next week."
