The 2026 Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs football team represents Gardner–Webb University as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) during the 2026 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The team plays their home games at Ernest W. Spangler Stadium in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.
The Runnin' Bulldogs were led by first-year head coach Kris McCullough, during their first game, after which McCullough was fired following a university investigation. Special teams coordinator Pete Bennett was named interim head coach.
Schedule
Game summaries
at No. 17 Austin Peay
Statistics GWEBAPSU First downs 22 22 Plays–yards 69–344 68–483 Rushes–yards 20–32 47–175 Passing yards 312 308 Passing: comp–att–int 27–49–1 14–21–1 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 23:21 36:39 Team Category Player Statistics Gardner–Webb Passing Cole Pennington 27/49, 312 yards, TD, INT Rushing Christian Vann 4 carries, 15 yards Receiving Kory Jones 9 receptions, 102 yards Austin Peay Passing Chris Parson 14/21, 308 yards, TD, INT Rushing Courtland Simmons 11 carries, 73 yards, 2 TD Receiving Denver Harper 3 receptions, 108 yards, TD
at Wofford
Statistics GWEBWOF First downs 24 12 Plays–yards 82–438 55–208 Rushes–yards 28–60 33–88 Passing yards 378 120 Passing: comp–att–int 31–54–1 11–22–1 Turnovers 3 2 Time of possession 33:51 26:09 Team Category Player Statistics Gardner–Webb Passing Cole Pennington 31/54, 378 yards, INT Rushing Adrian Cormier 8 carries, 32 yards Receiving Kory Jones 6 receptions, 135 yards Wofford Passing J. T. Fayard 11/22, 120 yards, INT Rushing Gerald Modest Jr. 20 carries, 85 yards, TD Receiving Colby Alexander 1 reception, 35 yards
at Liberty (FBS)
Statistics GWEB LIB First downs 23 18 Total yards 71–304 66–379 Rushing yards 33–118 45–193 Passing yards 186 186 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 16–38–2 8–21–0 Turnovers 3 2 Time of possession 30:52 29:08 Team Category Player StatisticsGardner–Webb Passing Cole Pennington 16/38, 186 yards, 2 INT Rushing Randy Young 4 carries, 75 yards, TD Receiving Kory Jones 3 receptions, 51 yardsLiberty Passing Deshawn Purdie 6/17, 122 yards, TD Rushing Peyton Jones 13 carries, 76 yards Receiving Makai Jackson 2 receptions, 69 yards, TD
North Carolina Central
Statistics NCCUGWEB First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics North Carolina Central Passing Rushing Receiving Gardner–Webb Passing Rushing Receiving
at Marshall (FBS)
Statistics GWEBMRSH First downs 19 27 Plays–yards 60–458 70–569 Rushes–yards 27–160 35–156 Passing yards 298 413 Passing: comp–att–int 22–33–0 27–40–1 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 26:47 33:13 Team Category Player StatisticsGardner–Webb Passing Cole Pennington 22/33, 298 yards, 4 TD Rushing Christian Vann 14 carries, 99 yards Receiving Giovanni Adopte 7 receptions, 179 yards, 2 TDMarshall Passing Carlos Del Rio-Wilson 26/38, 386 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Carlos Del Rio-Wilson 14 carries, 48 yards Receiving Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw 7 receptions, 131 yards, 2 TD
at Charleston Southern
Statistics GWEBCHSO First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Gardner–Webb Passing Rushing Receiving Charleston Southern Passing Rushing Receiving
Eastern Illinois
Statistics EIUGWEB First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Eastern Illinois Passing Rushing Receiving Gardner–Webb Passing Rushing Receiving
at UT Martin
Statistics GWEBUTM First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Gardner–Webb Passing Rushing Receiving UT Martin Passing Rushing Receiving
at Southeast Missouri State
Statistics GWEBSEMO First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Gardner–Webb Passing Rushing Receiving Southeast Missouri State Passing Rushing Receiving
Lindenwood
Statistics LINGWEB First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Lindenwood Passing Rushing Receiving Gardner–Webb Passing Rushing Receiving
at Western Illinois
Statistics GWEBWIU First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Gardner–Webb Passing Rushing Receiving Western Illinois Passing Rushing Receiving
Tennessee State
Statistics TNSTGWEB First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Tennessee State Passing Rushing Receiving Gardner–Webb Passing Rushing Receiving
References