Moon Township, Pa. – The RMU football team opened its 2022 Big South slate Saturday, dropping a 48-0 decision to Gardner-Webb at Joe Walton Stadium as part of the University's Homecoming festivities. The Colonials slipped to 0-5 during the 2022 season.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
The Runnin' Bulldogs got on the board on their first drive of the game, as after holding the Colonials to three-and-out on the opening possession Gardner-Webb used a 10-play, 59-yard drive that was capped by a four-yard touchdown run from quarterback Bailey Fisher. Three different Runnin' Bulldogs rushed four touchdowns Saturday, including a pair from Jayden Brown. His second of the contest came on the first play of the fourth quarter, a 41-yard dash with 14:51 to play that opened up a 41-0 lead.
SPLASH PLAY TAKEAWAYS
Gardner-Webb was looking to take a 14-0 lead in the second quarter when Naril Gaither burst through the line and was racing toward the end zone. Defensive back
Sydney Audiger caught up with Gaither and stripped the ball from behind at the RMU 15-yard line, forcing a fumble. Audiger picked up the loose ball at the RMU 11-yard line and raced 21 yards up field to give the ball back to the Colonials. In the second quarter, RMU quarterback
Zach Tanner, making his first collegiate start Saturday, was intercepted by Raquan Ousley, who returned the pick 37 yards before having the ball stripped by running back
Alijah Jackson. Jackson was able to get the ball back for RMU, setting up the offense at its own 33-yard line.
TRIPLE DOUBLE
A trio of Colonials registered double-digit tackle games for the Colonials, with defensive back
Dakari Cabell leading the way with a career-high 13 takedowns. Linebackers
Tony Brown and
Joe Casale registered 11 and 10 tackles, respectively, as the trio combined for a whopping 29 solo stops. Of the 13 tackles for Cabell, 12 were of the solo variety. Defensive lineman
Rico Watson also recorded his first sack of the year for the Colonials among his three takedowns.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Gardner-Webb (2-4 / 1-0 Big South) finished with 574 yards of total offense on the afternoon, as Gaither eclipsed 100 yards rushing on the ground while wide receiver T.J. Luther accumulated 100 yards through the air. Fisher gave the Runnin' Bulldogs a 20-0 advantage in the second quarter when he hit Luther for a 62-yard touchdown reception. On the day, Fisher finished 20-for-24 passing for 243 yards and three scores in addition to his touchdown run. Luther hauled in six catches for 124 yards, while Gaither finished with 106 yards rushing on 11 attempts. Tanner finished his first collegiate start 12-for-26 passing for 101 yards, including three completions each to wide receivers
Parker Fetterman,
Jamal Hill and
Bryce Bevins.
UP NEXT
RMU takes to the road to continue Big South action Saturday, Oct. 15, with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff in Buies Creek, N.C., against Campbell.
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