Box Score SPARTANBURG, SC – Wofford College broke open a tie game with five second half touchdowns to defeat Gardner-Webb 52-17. Kevious Johnson led the Terriers with two touchdowns, while the defense came away with three interceptions, a fumble recovery and a blocked punt recovered for a touchdown.
Wofford improves to 6-1 on the season and are 3-0 in conference play. Gardner-Webb is 2-4 overall. The Terriers are currently in first place in the conference. Wofford had a 445 to 316 lead in total offense and had the ball for 33:33 in the game, including ten minutes of the first quarter.
“We were not playing bad in the first half, scoring 14 points and running a lot of plays,” said head coach Mike Ayers. “Then Gardner-Webb jumped up early in the third quarter. The defense really stepped up and gave us a short field to work with. The passing game in the second half also enabled us to open things up. The bottom line is this was a tough game.”
The Terriers had the ball first in the game and were able to drive 55 yards in twelve plays to take an early 7-0 lead. Adrian Young scored from four yards out to end the drive. The Wofford defense forced the Runnin’ Bulldogs three-and-out on their first possession of the game.
Back on offense, the Terriers picked up five first downs on a twelve play drive. Kevious Johnson scored on a three-yard run to cap the 75-yard drive.
Gardner-Webb picked up a key fourth-and-one on their ensuing drive, but a tackle for loss by James Gonsoulin and a sack by Mitch Clark forced a punt. Wofford quarterback Josh Collier was intercepted on the next drive by Cedric McGowan, but Mychael Johnson returned the favor for the Terriers with an interception of quarterback Stan Doolittle just two plays later. Wofford was forced three-and-out on their possession.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs picked up one first down before being forced to punt by the Terrier defense. Wofford’s Ben Widmyer was intercepted by Kendrick Best four plays later to return possession to Gardner-Webb.
Gardner-Webb was able to take advantage of the turnover. After a 27-yard reception by Duvaughn Flagler, he scored on a one-yard reception from Doolittle. Wofford was able to drive the ball into Runnin’ Bulldog territory, but the half ended with the Terriers holding a 14-7 lead.
The second half began with the Runnin’ Bulldogs scoring on a 43-yard reception by tight end Hughie Dixon to tie the game at 14-14 just 1:10 into the third quarter. The Terriers struck back quickly as a reception by Andy Strickland gained 40 yards, then Kevious Johnson scored from 16 yards out at 13:04 in the third quarter to take a 21-14 lead.
After a loss of yardage that backed the Runnin’ Bulldogs to their own one-yard line, a third-down quick punt was unsuccessful as Layton Baker was able to block the punt and recover it in the endzone for a touchdown. After the point after by Patrick Mugan, the Terriers had a 28-14 lead less than three minutes into the second half.
On the next drive by Gardner-Webb, Evan Kay scored with a 27-yard field goal. After the Terriers went three-and-out, the Runnin’ Bulldogs were once again able to sustain a drive, but on fourth-and-six were stopped by the Wofford defense.
Back on offense, the Terriers drove 75 yards in thirteen plays for their fifth touchdown of the day as Josh Collier took it to the endzone from one yard out on a quarterback sneak. The Terriers defense continued to impress, as Kevin Adleman stripped the ball and recovered the fumble at the Runnin’ Bulldog 24-yard line. Six plays later, Patrick Mugan tacked on a 27-yard field goal to take a 38-17 lead with 9:23 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Terrier defense stopped another Runnin’ Bulldog drive when Michael Combest tipped a pass and intercepted it, with a 14 yard return to the Gardner-Webb 26-yard line. Wofford converted the turnover into points when Jeremy Marshall found Joseph Inman alone in the endzone for an eleven-yard touchdown reception.
On the next drive by Gardner-Webb, Zac Grey intercepted Devin Campbell and returned it to the Runnin’ Bulldog’s 13-yard line. With Travis Boyd at quarterback, Brian Whitehurst ran it in for a ten-yard touchdown and a 52-17 lead at 2:11. Gardner-Webb had the ball when the game ended.
Next weekend the Terriers will host Elon in a Southern Conference game at Gibbs Stadium. The game will begin at 1:30 pm.
Wofford vs. Gardner-Webb Post-Game Notes
The Terriers have started the season 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the Southern Conference for the first time since 2003.
The 52 points matched the season high for the Terriers. They also had 52 in the game against Charleston Southern.
Wofford has won five in a row against Gardner-Webb.
Mychael Johnson had his second interception of the season. Zac Grey and Michael Combest both grabbed their first career interceptions.
Joseph Inman scored his first career touchdown on his first career reception with an eleven-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
Patrick Mugan is 35-of-35 on extra points this season.
Andy Strickland caught a career-high six passes for 98 yards.
Attendance: 6,218
