BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb defended their title in the North/South Barbecue Bowl on Saturday afternoon with a game-winning 48-yard field goal by Charlie Viorel. The kick broke the tie and gave them the victory at 30-27.
Gardner-Webb was the first to get on the scoreboard knocking through a field goal on their opening drive. They went 14 plays for 57 yards and booted through a 38-yard field goal. Charleston Southern’s Zach Gordon missed a field goal from 35 yards out to tie it halfway through the second quarter.
The Buccaneers wasted no time getting back into scoring position as they found the redzone on their ensuing possession. They got into it with a big throw down the sideline to Mekhi Campfield to put them within the five. Ke’Marion Baldwin punched it in from a yard out, giving Charleston Southern their first points of the day and a 7-3 lead following the made PAT. The Runnin’ Bulldogs went 83 yards in six plays and completed a hail mary from 38 yards out to score and regain the lead at 10-7 going into the half.
The offenses came alive in the fourth quarter with the teams combining for five touchdowns and two field goals. Gardner-Webb shot ahead 17-7 and the teams went on to trade scores with the Bucs. Isaiah Gordon scored from a yard out and was followed by Baldwin breaking loose for 89 yards, and following a missed PAT cut the score to 27-20.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs scored a 43-yard field goal to go ahead by seven. The ensuing Buccaneer possession saw Baldwin find the endzone yet again, this time from 14 yards out to cap off the four play, 75-yard drive tying it at 27 apiece with 1:53 left on the clock. Gardner-Webb worked themselves into field goal range and with the clock hitting 0s, Viorel knocked it from 48 yards out to claim the victory.
Osborne finished the game going 13-22 with 216 yards on the day. Baldwin had a career day, setting a new single-game high with 175 yards and three touchdowns on the day. He had an average of 9.2 per carry to with his long of 89. Campfield was the leading receiver for the squad with six receptions for 103 yards.
Justin Waters finished with 19 tackles on the day, tying the Association Record that Steve Zayachkowsky set against Lindenwood earlier this season. Additionally, he forced a pair of fumbles in the contest. Zayachkowsky also had a big day collecting 12 tackles and forcing a fumble. Knai Cook also finished with double digit tackles with 10 on the day. Malik McKinzie had a pair of TFLs and had the lone sack of the day for CSU.
Charleston Southern will return to Buccaneer Field next weekend to take on #9 Tennessee Tech. The kickoff is set for 4 p.m. with the Buccaneers to recognize the 2005 Big South Championship Team as well as honor former CSU quarterback great, Collin Drafts, with a jersey retirement ceremony during halftime of the game.