news-category: Athletics

Gardner-Webb wins Second Straight Conference Championship

GWU football team celebrates after winning the championship

Runnin’ Bulldogs Face Mercer in FCS Playoffs Nov. 25 at 3 p.m. in Macon, Ga.

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs return to the FCS Playoffs for the second straight season, facing Mercer in the opening round on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 3 p.m.

This is the second straight year Gardner-Webb has qualified for the FCS Playoffs. The Runnin’ Bulldogs earned the automatic bid to the playoffs from the Big South-OVC Football Association thanks to a 38-34 victory over UT Martin on Saturday, Oct. 28. GWU clinched their second straight conference championship with a 34-10 win over Charleston Southern on Saturday, Nov. 18.

Own your piece of the history through championship apparel available in the GWU Barnes & Noble Campus Shop (in-store and on-line) and through the official GW Big South-OVC Football Championship pop-up store for a limited time. Contact Barnes and Noble or the BSN Championship Store for more details.

Gardner-Webb made the 2022 FCS Playoffs last year, defeating Eastern Kentucky 52-41 in the first round before falling to #5 William & Mary 54-14 in the second round.

This is Mercer’s first-ever trip to the FCS Playoffs. The Bears enter the game 8-3 overall and 6-2 in conference play out of the SoCon. Mercer has won four in a row, including a 45-38 victory over #10 Western Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 28.

This will be the second meeting all-time between Mercer and Gardner-Webb. The then 16th ranked Bears rolled to a 45-14 victory over the Runnin’ Bulldogs inside Spangler Stadium on Sept. 24, 2022.

The winner of the matchup between the Bears and the Runnin’ Bulldogs will head to Brookings, S.D. to face #1 South Dakota State on Saturday, Dec. 2.

Kickoff between Mercer and Gardner-Webb is set for 3 p.m. The game will be streaming live on ESPN+. An audio broadcast via the Runnin’ Bulldog Sports Network presented by AlphaGraphics South Charlotte will also be available on the radio at WGNC 1450 AM/101.1 FM, or online via The Varsity Network App and at gwusports.com.

For more information on Gardner-Webb football, fans can follow the team on Twitter/X at @GWUFootball or on Instagram at @gwufootball.

Story courtesy of gwusports.com

Previous News Article

Gardner-Webb's Annual Festival of Lights Begins Celebration of Christmas Season

Next News Article

Gardner-Webb Associate Professor Reflects on Life and Legacy of Rosalynn Carter

Related News

  • News Article

    Gardner-Webb Wrestling Announces Upcoming 2025-26 Schedule

    Runnin’ Bulldogs Open 21-Match Season on Nov. 2 in New Jersey; Set to Have Eight Contests at Home BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Head Coach Daniel Elliot and the Gardner-Webb wrestling team have announced the 2025-26 competitive slate, featuring eight matches inside Paul Porter Arena. The Runnin’ Bulldogs open 2025-26 with an exciting event in New Brunswick, N.J., […]

    two wrestlers compete in a match
  • News Article

    Gardner-Webb Men’s Basketball Begins 2025-’26 Campaign with Trip to Minnesota on Nov. 3

    Schedule Includes 31 Games, 16 Within Big South Conference, and 13 at Home in Paul Porter Arena BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Head coach Jeremy Luther and the Gardner-Webb men’s basketball team have announced the full schedule for the upcoming 2025-’26 season. This year’s slate includes 15 non-conference games as well as 16 games within the Big South […]

  • News Article

    Head Women’s Basketball Coach Terri Williams Announces 2025-’26 Schedule

    Runnin’ Bulldogs Open at Queens on Nov. 3; will Play 29 Games, Including 13 at Home in Paul Porter Arena BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Now official, head coach Terri Williams and the Gardner-Webb women’s basketball team have released the upcoming 2025-’26 schedule, with 29 games in total, including 13 inside Paul Porter Arena. The Terri Williams era […]

    Terri Williams posing with bulldog statue at Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center