By Jared McMurry
From start to finish, Liberty (5-3, 1-0) dominated Gardner-Webb (4-4, 0-1) on their way to a 34-0 victory. The Runnin’ Bulldogs got the ball to start the game, and after a Flames sack on third down, they were forced to punt.
Liberty made quick work on offense when quarterback Josh Woodrum scrambled for a touchdown from four yards out. Gardner-Webb continued to struggle on offense, failing to pick up a first down until late in the first quarter.
“We didn’t get any push in the run game, and we had difficulty protecting the passer,” coach McCray said following the loss.
It was evident that the Runnin’ Bulldogs were struggling to get anything going offensively in the first half, as the Flames held them to negative yardage in the first 30 minutes of play.
Things weren’t much better for the defense, as they gave up 20 first half points and multiple big plays. Liberty packed their stadium and over 20,000 Flame’s fans were creating havoc for the Runnin’ Bulldogs all day long.
Two early third quarter touchdowns for Liberty put the game away, and it quickly turned into a scrimmage. The Runnin’ Bulldogs defense was able to hold the Flames scoreless the remainder of the game, but unfortunately the offense remained absent.
Gardner-Webb managed to muster out six total first downs in the game, including two by penalty. Quarterback Lucas Beatty threw for 73 yards, but the team was held to -17 yards rushing.
Freshmen Tyrell Maxwell saw time at quarterback, but he failed to complete a pass, and was held to negative rushing yards by Liberty’s defense.
The Flames running back D.J. Abnar dominated most of the game as he ran the ball 27 times for 137 yards and two scores on the day. Woodrum threw for over 200 yards in the air including two big plays to receiver Dante Shells.
“We have a lot of work to do, and get caught up to get ready to go next week,” coach McCray said.
Gardner-Webb will be back in action at home next Saturday against third ranked Coastal Carolina.