By: Jared McMurry
The Gardner-Webb football team notched their first win last Saturday beating Virginia Union 13-9. The Runnin’ Bulldogs will look to get a win streak going this week as they take on the Wofford Terriers. Gardner-Webb has victoriously battled Wofford over the past few years and looks to knock off Wofford for a third consecutive year.
The Terriers are members of the Southern Conference, which Gardner-Webb Coach Carroll McCray believes to be a rival not only on the field but in recruiting as well. “We recruit against the So Con teams in North and South Carolina,” he said. “It’s really a good regional matchup for us.”
The Terriers bring a triple option offense to the gridiron, and that could present trouble for a Gardner-Webb team who has been exposed by big plays this season. McCray said that they do an outstanding job with their backs and receivers, especially on the perimeter. “We have to have a good plan and understand what they’re going to do,” he said.
McCray also noted that he expects Wofford to use two quarterbacks much like they have all season. The Terriers are 1-2 on the season, coming off a losing effort in which they put up 38 points to Football Bowl Subdivision foe, Idaho.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs went with a two-quarterback system last Saturday and could see the same rotation this week. Even though Tyrell Maxwell has practiced this weekend, his status for Saturday’s game remains uncertain until Friday as he recovers from a concussion. McCray admits that their offense will need to expand their packages regardless of who the quarterback is and look to add to the passing game. “We will have fewer possessions, so each one will be precious,” he said. McCray also noted that the offensive line needs to continue to show improvement. “They really need to find some continuity so we can get things going on the edge,” he said.
Look for Gardner-Webb to once more find their focus heading into Saturday’s game at 7 p.m. in Spartanburg.
