By: Jared McMurry
Coming off a win over rival Wofford, the Gardner-Webb football team (2-2) will travel to The Citadel (0-3) this Saturday in search for a third straight victory.
The Bulldogs of Citadel come in with a goose head in the win column, but should not be taken lightly at all, according to coach McCray. “This team is very disciplined, well coached, and a tough team to play on the road,” he said.
Citadel has played arguably the toughest schedule so far this season in the FCS, including games against reigning FBS national champions Florida State, and two ranked FCS teams.
Gardner-Webb will look to come out of the gate early, and get on top.
“This team really likes to keep the ball away from you,” Coach McCray said. “I feel like if we get in a hole, it will be really tough to get out.”
The Citadel comes into the matchup averaging almost 300 yards a game on the ground. Something the Bulldogs had trouble stopping in last week’s win over Wofford.
Gardner-Webb gave up 322 yards rushing last week, and Coach McCray knows that his team will face a similar offense this week. “It will be a very similar concept offensively, very old school,” he said.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs will once again be without standout linebacker Chad Geter, who was recently lost for the season due to injury. Injuries will be prevalent throughout both the offense and defense, and Coach McCray noted that it will be next man up in many positions.
Due to a banged up offensive line, the Runnin’ Bulldogs will have to start a different set of men up front for the fifth time this season.
Overall Gardner-Webb will look to keep their offense rolling, and get back to their dominant defensive ways.
“We need to improve defensively and be more disciplined like we were in the second half last week,” Coach McCray said.
Kickoff will be at 6:00 at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston.