By: Jared McMurry<\/p>\n
With the football game against Liberty coming the week of homecoming and the conference opener, a little extra is riding on the game for the Runnin\u2019 Bulldogs. \u201cWe have a lot to play for, this is a game that means something very special and we need to fight and represent our university,\u201d said McCray.<\/p>\n
With Gardner-Webb football having an open date last weekend, Runnin\u2019 Bulldog head Coach Carroll McCray \u00a0viewed video* of \u00a0the Liberty Flames as they battled Football Bowl Subdivision [FBS] foe, Georgia State. The Flames, a competitive conference rival of Gardner-Webb, took care of business on the road, and McCray witnessed something that was worth taking note. Kicker John Lunsford notched a 56-yard field goal that would have been good from 60+ according to McCray.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have a darn good kicker, and when they cross the 50 yard line they will be thinking points,\u201d he said. McCray believes that field position will be key in attaining a victory.<\/p>\n
Most teams use their open week to get healthy, but this wasn\u2019t so much the case for Gardner-Webb. According to McCray, they are walking with much less of a limp but still have many guys that aren\u2019t ready to go at full speed yet. He mentioned that Charlie Eudy<\/a>, a young player who brings a large physicality presence, has been settled in at tackle and expects him to make an immediate impact. Coach McCray also said at his press luncheon that some players who have not seen much field action this year could see ample playing time on special teams this week.<\/p>\n Liberty comes into the game ranked 15th<\/sup> in the Football Championship Subdivision [FCS]. They shutout Gardner-Webb last season 34-0 in Lynchburg. Although the Flames bring a high-powered offense to the table, McCray knows that it\u2019s his offense who must step up for the Runnin\u2019 Bulldogs to find success. He alluded that his offensive unit must establish a run game and execute better for there to be little to no margin for error.<\/p>\n