Gardner-Webb’s shot at their first win of the season? It slipped right through their fingers Saturday, Sept. 5, falling 17-13 to Wofford after a brutal offensive pass interference call wiped a go-ahead touchdown off the board. Talk about a gut-punch. Quarterback Cole Pennington connected with wideout Kory Jones for what looked like a lead-changing score, but the flag came out, denying them the points. Then, on the very next play, Pennington threw an interception, effectively sealing Wofford’s victory at Gibbs Stadium. You just cannot make this stuff up.
Heartbreak on the Field: A Flag and a Pick Seal the Deal
Seriously, can it get any tougher? This wasn’t just a tough loss, it was a capstone on an already insane week. Adding insult to injury, Wofford’s Ivory Aikens returned the opening kickoff a staggering 97 yards for a touchdown. Interim coach Pete Bennett, who was the special teams coach, owned up to it, saying, “As a special teams coach, it hurts to give up a touchdown on the opening kickoff. That’s on me. I take ownership of it.” He gave props to his team’s resolve though, especially after they allowed Wofford only 10 points for the rest of the game, and the offense started clicking more effectively in the second half. Pennington finished the day 31-of-54 for 378 yards and that crucial interception. Jones hauled in six catches for 135 yards, Giovianni Adopte added seven for 70, and Jalile Bost grabbed four for 60. The offensive firepower was there, but the crucial moments just didn’t break their way.
From Head Coach Fired to Kickoff TD: A Week to Forget
This past week has been a total blur for the Gardner-Webb program. Former head coach Kris McCullough was fired for unspecified reasons, with his tenure lasting a single game, a 35-17 loss to Austin Peay on August 27. So, Bennett stepping in as interim coach, just trying to steer the ship, deserves some credit. He told the team, “I told the team they deserved to win this game, but life does not always give you what you deserve. You are only given what you earn, and we didn’t quite do enough to earn it this week.” He’s not wrong. The effort was there, but the execution at the absolute worst times just killed them.
No Coaching Search? What’s Next for the Runnin’ Bulldogs
Despite the chaos, the athletic director, Brendan Fahey, confirmed there’s no urgent coaching search happening. They aren’t looking for a new head coach during the 2026 campaign. Fahey backed Bennett completely, touting his resume and track record as “a great man and a great coach.” He said, “Right now, (Bennett) is our head coach and he has 100% of my support.” So, it looks like Bennett is the guy for the season. And the team’s goals haven’t shifted, either. Bennett’s still aiming high, stating, “Our goal is still to be OVC champions and that’s still within our sights, as well as a playoff bid. We just have to get better week to week.”
Next up, Gardner-Webb hits the road again, heading to Lynchburg, Virginia, to face Liberty on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. Can they finally put the pieces together and grab that elusive first win? Coach Bennett’s team clearly believes they can still chase those OVC champion dreams, and they gotta start earning it NOW.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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