When an FCS team walks onto the turf of an FBS stadium, the script usually writes itself. The big school flexes its depth, the small school collects a paycheck, and everyone goes home by the fourth quarter. But anyone watching the Ohio Bobcats vs Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs matchup this past September knows that college football rarely follows the script.
It was a shootout. Pure and simple.
If you just looked at the final score of 52-35, you might think the Ohio Bobcats simply steamrolled the visitors from Boiling Springs. Honestly? That’s not what happened at all. For a solid chunk of that Saturday afternoon at Frank Solich Field, the Runnin' Bulldogs didn't just compete—they looked like they might actually pull off one of those "buy game" miracles that haunts coaches' nightmares.
The First Quarter Shock
Gardner-Webb came out swinging. There’s no other way to put it. While most 30-point underdogs start tentative, the Bulldogs’ offense looked clinical under Nate Hampton. They jumped out to a 14-3 lead. Let that sink in. A 14-3 lead against a MAC contender on their own grass.
Quasean Holmes and Carson Gresock were find holes in the Bobcats' defensive front that shouldn't have been there. Gresock’s 48-yard touchdown run in the first quarter was a thing of beauty—a straight-ahead power play that turned into a footrace. For about twenty minutes, the Peden Stadium crowd was eerily quiet.
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Why the Ohio Bobcats Eventually Took Control
Depth is a funny thing in football. It doesn't matter until it's the only thing that matters.
The Bobcats responded with a 28-point explosion in the second quarter. It was a relentless, grinding display of offensive efficiency. Parker Navarro, the veteran QB who has been the heartbeat of this Ohio team, started finding his rhythm. He wasn't just throwing the ball; he was managing the clock and keeping the Bulldogs' defense on the field until they were gasping for air.
Chase Hendricks was the standout. He finished the day with 144 receiving yards. Every time Ohio needed a first down to kill the Gardner-Webb momentum, Navarro found Hendricks. It was like they were playing catch in a backyard while the world burned around them.
- Sieh Bangura: 123 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns.
- Duncan Brune: 3 rushing touchdowns.
- Total Offense: 608 yards for Ohio.
You can’t give up six rushing touchdowns and expect to win, regardless of how many points your own offense puts up. The Bobcats' offensive line basically decided they weren't going to be embarrassed, and by the third quarter, they were winning the battle at the point of attack every single snap.
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The Resilience of the Runnin' Bulldogs
What I loved about this Gardner-Webb performance was that they never "folded." We see it all the time—an FCS team plays a great half, the FBS team goes on a run, and the final score ends up being 56-10. Not this time.
Every time it felt like Ohio was going to pull away for good, Nate Hampton would dial up a big play. The 68-yard touchdown pass to Quasean Holmes in the second quarter was a gutsy call that briefly put the Bulldogs back in the lead. They finished with 480 yards of total offense. That is a massive number against an FBS defense.
Nigel Lucas and Cahari Haynes were flying around on defense for Gardner-Webb, racking up 12 and 11 tackles respectively. They were outmanned, sure, but they weren't outplayed in terms of pure effort.
Looking Forward: The Coaching Carousel
Since that game, both programs have seen some pretty seismic shifts.
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If you're a Gardner-Webb fan, the news of Cris Reisert stepping down was a bit of a gut punch after seeing what he built. But the hiring of Kris McCullough is fascinating. He was the youngest head coach in college football at one point and brings a high-octane philosophy that should fit right in with the talent already in Boiling Springs.
Over in Athens, John Hauser has taken the reins as the full-time head coach after the mid-season drama with Brian Smith. Stabilizing the program after the Frisco Bowl win is the top priority now.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following these two teams into the 2026 season, here is what you need to watch for:
- Monitor the Gardner-Webb Transfer Portal: With a new head coach in Kris McCullough, expect a significant roster overhaul. He likes a fast-paced passing game, so keep an eye on incoming WRs.
- Ohio's Defensive Identity: Under John Hauser, the Bobcats are likely to lean even harder into their 4-2-5 base defense. They'll need to shore up the secondary after giving up nearly 300 yards to the Bulldogs.
- The "Navarro Factor": Parker Navarro proved he is one of the most resilient QBs in the MAC. His ability to stay calm when down by double digits is the reason Ohio won 9 games in 2025.
- Strength of Schedule: Look at the non-conference slates for 2026. Gardner-Webb has shown they aren't afraid of the big stage, and Ohio has a target on their back as a top-tier MAC program.
The Ohio Bobcats vs Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs game was a reminder that the gap between the top of the FCS and the middle of the FBS isn't as wide as the scholarship numbers suggest. It was a game defined by explosive plays, coaching adjustments, and a whole lot of heart. Both teams walked away with a better understanding of who they were—and what they needed to fix before conference play.