By Jared McMurry
Traveling to Gardner-Webb, the undefeated and highly ranked Coastal Carolina could have fell into a trap game and got themselves into a tight contest against a team who hasn’t lost a home game in over a calendar year. After an early field goal and pick six, however, the Chanticleers (9-0, 3-0) were up 10-0 early and they never looked back; defeating the Runnin’ Bulldogs (4-5, 0-2) 38-14.
Coastal Carolina took the opening kickoff and drove down the field, but only came away with a field goal. Coach McCray’s Runnin’ Bulldog’s defense did their job, and gave the offense an opportunity to grab an early lead.
Unfortunately a Lucas Beatty pass was tipped, intercepted and returned for a touchdown on the first offensive play for Gardner-Webb. “We spotted them seven points right there early,” Coach McCray said.
The then 10 point deficit turned the Runnin’ Bulldogs into a catch up mode, which lead to a predominantly passing offense.
“We kept Luke upright, and had just enough running game to keep the defense guessing,” McCray said. Coach McCray also mentioned that his team did a good job of perking up and fighting back.
Coastal Carolina was able to tack on eight more points to go up 18-0 early in the second quarter when quarterback Alex Ross hit Tyrell Blanks for a touchdown and the Chanticleers added a two-point conversion.
Gardner-Webb was able to respond with a score of their own on the next possession when Seth Cranfill caught a pass and went 75 yards for a score on third and long.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs were able to find the end zone once again late in the quarter when freshmen Kerry Bernard scampered in from five yards out to cut the Chanticleer lead to 21-14.
Following the Gardner-Webb touchdown, Coastal Carolina found themselves 4th and one from the Runnin’ Bulldog 29 yard line with under a minute left in the half. After being initially stopped by Gardner-Webb defenders, Chanticleer running back De’Angelo bounced outside and scored, giving his team a 28-14 lead heading into the half.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs received the ball to start the second half, but could not do anything with it, and neither team put any points on the board in the third quarter.
The next score came early in the fourth quarter when Ross escaped a Gardner-Webb pass rusher and connected with a wide-open Blanks for their second touchdown of the day.
Coach McCray noted that the lack of offense in the third quarter, and two broken plays made the world of difference in the game. “If we could have scored in the third, the way our defense had been playing, and got the ball back it would have been a whole different game,” he said.
Beatty led the air attack for Gardner-Webb with 266 yards and a score. Cranfill caught three balls for 86 yards, while Kenny Cook grabbed eight passes for 100 yards. Cranfill’s third catch on the day was his 83rd in his career, which broke a school record for most catches by a tight end.
Ross had a career day for the Chanticleers, throwing for 351 yards and a pair of touchdowns to receiver Blanks who caught five balls for 105 yards.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs will be back in action next week when they travel to Charleston Southern.
Visit the photographer’s website to see all photos from the game.