Wofford wins season opener 21-20 at Gardner-Webb
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – In the season opener on Thursday night, the Wofford College football team scored ten unanswered points in the fourth quarter to rally for a 21-20 win over Gardner-Webb at Spangler Stadium. Down 20-11 after three quarters, a Ryan Ingram touchdown and a field goal by Bridger Jones gave the Terriers the lead, and a key fourth-and-one play in the final minutes secured the victory.
Wofford opens the season at 1-0, while Gardner-Webb is 0-1. The Terriers were led by Amari Odom who was 22-of-35 for 260 yards and a touchdown, while Kyle Watkins had seven catches for 109 yards. Gardner-Webb quarterback Tyler Ridell was 18-of-28 with one touchdown.
“We are a young offense mainly because our quarterback made his second career start and we had two freshmen play a lot at wide receiver,” said head coach Shawn Watson. “Kyle Watkins was back from an injury which was really big for us. Once we got some of that new out of us we settled in and did some really good stuff. I am pleased with the way that we finished the game. We have some things to clean up. Defensively, they got put in some tough spots, but they did a good job. Special teams has some things to clean up as well, as we gave up some big returns that gave points away.”
The Runnin’ Bulldogs had the ball to open the game and took the opening kick off out to the 41-yard line. After a first down, they had a 44-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 12:17 on the clock in the first quarter. Wofford went three-and-out on its first possession and punted. The Terrier defense forced a three-and-out, and Wofford took over at the 18-yard line. Three first downs, including a 31-yard catch by Kyle Watkins, put the Terriers in the redzone. Amari Odom found Watkins in the far corner of the endzone for a17-yard touchdown reception. Bryce Corriston converted a two-point pass to Samuel Cornett for an 8-3 lead with 4:12 left in the first quarter. After Gardner-Webb had one first down, it punted to Amir Annoor who responded with a 45-yard return. Wofford was unable to take advantage of the field position and had an incomplete pass on fourth-and-seven.
With the ball back, the Runnin’ Bulldogs had five first downs before scoring on a 22-yard pass completion for a 10-8 lead at 12:44 in the second quarter. Wofford had a 35-yard run by Ivory Aikens to move across midfield and a fourth-and-five was converted with a pass to Cam Smith. Back-to-back holding plays backed the Terriers up, but Bridger Jones made a 47-yard field goal to regain the lead at 11-10 with 6:27 left in the first half. Gardner-Webb had a 52-yard kick-off return to start their next drive in Wofford territory. After two first downs, they took a 13-11 lead with a 35-yard field goal with 2:39 left in the half. Wofford moved across midfield, and an apparent Terrier turnover was overturned by replay with 41 seconds on the clock. Wofford had to punt, and the Runnin’ Bulldogs took over with 23 seconds left starting at the two-yard line. They ran one play before the half ended.
To open the second half, the Terriers went backward on a holding penalty, and then a fumble was recovered by the Runnin’ Bulldogs at the 32-yard line. On their first play of the drive, a 32-yard run by Edward Saydee gave Gardner-Webb a 20-11 lead at the 13:36 mark. Wofford had three first down catches by Dylan Djete and a first down catch by Kyle Watkins to move into the redzone. A 31-yard field goal attempt hit off the upright, and the Runnin’ Bulldogs took over with 7:16 on the clock in the third quarter. After two first downs, they punted. Wofford put together a ten-play drive with four first downs that was capped by a seven-yard touchdown run by Ryan Ingram. With 13:10 left in the fourth quarter, Wofford trailed 20-18.
Gardner-Webb responded with a first down, then on third-and-long a 35-yard reception moved the ball inside the redzone. A 31-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Brandon Maina and recovered by Maximus Pulley with a 28-yard return across midfield. After a first down run by Ryan Ingram, Wofford took a 21-20 lead with a 45-yard field goal by Bridger Jones with 5:50 remaining. The Runnin’ Bulldogs had a first down, but a big sack by John Boyle and an incomplete pass forced a punt with 3:25 left on the clock.
After the punt, Amari Odom found Jordan Davis for a first down at the two-minute warning. On third-and-two, the run was just short of the line to gain. With fourth-and-inches and 1:41 remaining, a quarterback sneak by Amari Odom appeared to get the first down, but his helmet came off on the play. A review of the spot gave the Terriers a first down, and they ran out the clock for the win.
Wofford had 379 total yards, with 260 receiving yards. Gardner-Webb had 300 total yards, with 238 of those passing yards. Wofford had 21 first downs to 16 for the Runnin’ Bulldogs. Wofford was 6-of-15 on third down and 2-of-3 on fourth down. Gardner-Webb was 2-of-9 on third down. Gardner-Webb was called for eight penalties, while Wofford was called for seven. Wofford had a 36:11 to 23:49 time of possession advantage.
Wofford vs. Gardner-Webb Post-Game Notes
This was the 29th meeting between the two teams. Wofford holds a 21-8 lead in the series.
Wofford opened the season on the road for the 13th time in the last 15 years. The Terriers are 54-61-1 all-time in season openers since 1889.
The 47-yard field goal by Bridger Jones in the second quarter tied his career-long.
Kyle Watkins had seven catches for 117 yards, marking his first career 100+ receiving game.
Jalen Marshal led the defense with ten tackles and two tackles for loss. Brandon Maina had a sack and blocked field goal to go with four total tackles.
Wofford will be back on the road on Saturday, September 7, to face Richmond.
