Here's how late magic again worked in Gardner-Webb football's favor at Bryant
Gardner-Webb football needed overtime to score its first road win of the season, a 45-44 victory over Bryant College on Saturday.
The win moves Gardner-Webb above .500 for the first time this season at 5-4 and 3-1 in Big South-OVC competition. To get there, the Runnin’ Bulldogs overcame a two-touchdown deficit in the fourth quarter to push the game into overtime.
With just over four minutes remaining, quarterback Jaylen King's 4-yard TD run pulled Gardner-Webb within seven. Then with 18 seconds remaining, Gino English's 1-yard TD run helped tie the game at 38-all.
The game was over when…
First on offense in overtime, Bryant’s Zevi Eckhaus connected with Konor Lathrop for an 8-yard touchdown. The Bulldogs’ two-point conversion attempt failed, however, allowing Gardner-Webb an opportunity to win the game with a TD and an extra point.
Following a English's 1-yard TD pass to A.J. Johnson, Gardner-Webb kicker Jay Billingsley did just that, his extra point lifting the Runnin’ Bulldogs to victory.
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Player of the game
Gardner-Webb’s Jaylen King: The freshman quarterback completed 18-of-36 passes for two touchdowns, along with a team-high 108 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Other impact players
Jay Billingsley: The Gardner-Webb kicker finished 6 for 6 on extra point attempts, in addition to connecting on a 42-yard field goal.
Caleb Borders: The former Crest standout caught two passes for 26 yards and a touchdown.
Narii Gaither: Rushed for 89 yards on 22 carries, in addition to three catches for 24 yards and a TD for the Runnin’ Bulldogs. During Saturday’s game, he became the second player in GWU program history to earn 3,000 career rushing yards.
Brendan Jackson: Finished with three tackles and an interception.
Josiah Wright: Led the Runnin' Bulldogs with five tackles.
Gardner-Webb 2023 schedule
Sept. 2 at Appalachian State (L, 45-24)
Sept. 9 Elon (W, 34-27)
Sept. 16 at Tennessee State (L, 27-25)
Sept. 23 at East Carolina, (L, 44-0)
Oct. 7 Robert Morris (W, 31-16)
Oct. 14 at Austin Peay (L, 41-14)
Oct. 21 Eastern Kentucky (W, 35-32)
Oct. 28 UT-Martin (W, 38-34)
Nov. 4 at Bryant (W, 45-44, F/OT)
Nov. 11 at Tennessee Tech, 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 18 Charleston Southern, 1 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gardner-Webb football downs Bryant College in overtime
