By: Jared McMurry
After facing arguably the two toughest teams in the Big South, the Gardner-Webb football team (4-5, 0-2) will travel to Charleston Southern (6-3, 1-2) for an unusual start time of 11 a.m.
While the Runnin’ Bulldogs are looking for their first conference victory after suffering two straight losses, the Buccaneers were losers of three straight games until they shutout Monmouth last week.
Coach McCray knows he will have his hands full against a team that is looking to get back to its winning ways. “I really credit the Charleston Southern coaches for their recent success,” he said. “They have done a really good job at recruiting the area.”
Coach McCray also noted that their high-powered offense is having a lot of success thanks to transfer quarterback Austin Brown. The Buccaneers run an option offense out of shotgun which can create a lot of headaches for opposing defenses.
“We are going to have to play assignment football, and I fully expect it to be a full day for our defense,” Coach McCray said.
Offensively, the Runnin’ Bulldogs will look to establish an early run game in order to open up their passing game. Starting running back Juanne Blount looks to be doubtful once again this week, but Coach McCray expects a heavier workload for freshmen Kerry Bernard, and J.J. Hubbard to be used on the outside.
A win for Gardner-Webb would keep the hopes of a winning record still alive and turn around the conference portion of the season with two games left to play.
Coach McCray knows there is a lot on the line heading into Saturday’s game and is thrilled with how his team is responding. “We had to find new places for players to watch film on Monday, when no one was even required to be there,” he said. McCray also mentioned that his players were eager to get back to work just one day after the loss to Coastal Carolina.
“I’ve seen flashes of what these guys can really do, hopefully we will put it all together this week,” Coach McCray said.