Fan the Flames: What has been the general sentiment among
Runnin’ Bulldogs fans this season with GWU getting a win over Wofford
but losses to Furman and The Citadel in the non-conference as they head
into Big South play?
Alan Ford: Gardner-Webb fans don’t really know what to think about the current team. The VMI win last week, following the victory over
Charlotte, has them feeling a lot better about the way things are going.
Most of the fans understand how injuries riddled
this team early on – both returning all-star candidates at inside
linebacker (Tanner Burch & Chad Geter) were lost for the season
(Burch never played a down) and also there have been a
number of offensive line issues. The lack of depth at running back has
been a problem as well at times and it was actually a pleasant surprise
they were able to have such a big offensive day last week with Juanne
Blount out of action.
FTF: Lucas Beatty asserted himself as the starter
last year, how has he been with the younger QBs as he wraps up his final
season in Boiling Springs?
AF: It was probably a bit frustrating for the
GWU senior early on this season when the offensive line was having a
tough time protecting him (double digit sacks vs. The Citadel). GWU
would bring in freshman Tyrell Maxwell, who was more of
a running threat, at certain times in those games.
The big key was getting wideout Kenny Cook back
in the lineup after his injury in the opener at Furman. That has made
Beatty’s numbers go up dramatically. They are still using Maxwell for a
series here or there but only as a change of
pace.
FTF: About this weekend, the Runnin Bulldogs have not won in
Lynchburg since 2006, including giving up a big lead on their
last trip into Williams Stadium in 2012. How have the players,
particularly the ones who were part of that team in 2012, handled
dealing with that much history working against GWU over
the years?
AF: Truthfully, I don’t know how much the history means, if anything at all, to the GWU players. That’s not putting down
Liberty’s obvious success in the matchup. Everyone in the Big South knows how difficult it is to go to
Lynchburg to face the Flames.
But since that last visit in 2012, Gardner-Webb
has gone through a coaching change and it’s a completely different
mindset the past two years under Coach McCray. I actually think the
coaching staff is trying to make the current group
of players more aware of what the history of the series is, and how
important this contest is in terms of the conference.
FTF: What is the key both offensively and defensively for the Bulldogs in order to come out with that victory on Saturday?
AF: GWU can’t allow Liberty’s
offensive line to just pound away up front, then when the ‘Dogs are
forced to adjust, give up a big play in the passing game. Gardner-Webb
just has to plug up the gaps on first-down
running plays and put the Flames behind the chains a bit so Liberty
can’t just roll up so many first downs and wear them down as the day
goes along.
Offensively, GWU needs to be able to run the
football enough to set up its play-action passes to Cook, plus the two
tight ends (Mike Estes and Seth Cranfill) they often have on the field
together.
FTF: What do you think will be the matchup we need to keep an eye on on Saturday?
AF: I think it will be how Liberty
handles those two tight ends in passing situations. Cook will receive
an awful lot of attention from the defense, maybe even double-teaming
him on key possession downs. The
’Dogs have been able to work around that in recent games because Beatty
has had the time to locate those tight ends, each of whom has good
hands, and distribute the football accordingly.
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