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Gardner-Webb uses overtime to surprise Western Carolina
Dan Swartz caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Nick Roberts in overtime Saturday giving Gardner-Webb a 26-20 upset of Western Carolina.
A crowd of 6,311, the largest ever to see a game at Spangler Stadium in Boiling Springs, was on hand as both teams left with 2-2 records.
After the TD, Hunter Smith missed the extra point opening the door for the Catamounts. However, the missed kick didn’t matter as Allen Davis intercepted Justin Clark’s pass to end the game.
Western Carolina’s Bruce Lee (3) leads Francis Brown down field on an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown in WCU’s 26-20 overtime loss Saturday at Gardner-Webb. – Photo by Mark Haskett
Roberts completed 21 of 42 passes for 259 yards. He also was G-W’s leading ground gainer with 35 yards in 11 carries.
Kory Alston caught six passes for 94 yards, and Aaron Richardson’s five receptions went for 84 yards.
WCU’s Nicholas Wishart gained 73 yards in 20 carries.
Quarterback Bennett Swygert completed seven of 20 passes for just 34 yards. He was relieved by Clark, who went six of 12 for 52 yards.
The Cats soared to a 14-0 lead in the first 10 minutes but struggled the rest of the way.
They drove 60 yards in 14 plays following the opening kickoff. Wishart had a 13-yard run leading to Lamont Reid’s 2-yard touchdown run with 7:37 left in the first quarter. Tim Mayse kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
Francis Brown’s 83-yard punt return made it 14-0 with 5:08 on the clock.
The Bulldogs got on the board by driving 65 yards in eight plays, capped by Roberts’ 30-yard TD pass to Richardson with 1:49 to go in the opening period. Smith’s PAT cut the gap to 14-7. Roberts hit Alston for 16 yards earlier in the march.
The Cats had a chance to extend the lead, but Mayse came up short on a 48-yard field goal.
Following a punt, Harold Wells recovered Wishart’s fumble putting the Bulldogs in business at the WCU 16. They had to settle for Smith’s 29-yard field goal bringing his team within 14-10 with 10:23 to play in the half.
Western failed to take advantage of a turnover after Deonte Cook picked off a Roberts pass at the G-W 44.
The Bulldogs threatened to take the lead late in the half as they drove from their 26 to the WCU 7. A roughing the kicker penalty kept the march going, and Roberts hit Alston on a 43-yard pass to the 7. They couldn’t get in the end zone, and Smith’s 24-yard field goal made it a 14-13 game with 27 seconds on the clock.
Clark passes of 19 yards to Calvin Guinyard and 15 yards to Eddie Cohen along with a 12-yard run by Darius Fudge gave the Cats a first-and-goal from the 3. An illegal procedure penalty set them back and forced them to settle for Mayse’s 24-yard field goal and a 17-13 lead with 28 seconds to go in the third stanza.
G-W was headed toward the end zone when Primus Glover picked off Roberts’ pass at the goal line and returned the ball 63 yards to the Bulldog 37. That led to Mayse’s 38-yard field goal and a 20-13 advantage with 10:24 left in the game.
After an exchange of punts, the Bulldogs needed just four plays to go 72 yards and tie the score. Roberts hit Vonzell Pittman for 24 yards and Richardson for 19 before scoring on a 5-yard run. Smith’s PAT tied it 20-20 at the 5:57 mark.
Smith had a chance to put his team on top, but he missed a 49-yard field goal with just over two minutes left.
Jada Sullivan was in on 11 tackles to pace the WCU defense.
The Bulldogs were led by Mario Williams and Brian Johnston with 14 and 10 tackles, respectively.
WCU G-W
11 First Downs 19
33-95 Rushes-Yds. 33-78
13-32-2 Passing 22-42-2
86 Passing Yds. 289
7-41.3 Punts-Avg. 6-39.8
1-1 Fumbles-Lost 1-0
9-73 Penalties-Yds. 8-130
WCU 14 0 3 3 0 20
G-W 7 6 0 7 6 26
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