Talking season has arrived, and Gardner-Webb football will be the first FCS program from our state to take center stage. The Runnin’ Bulldogs will participate in the OVC/Big South Football Association media day on Thursday, July 17, with coach Cris Reisert and one player (to be named) available to preview the upcoming season.
Gardner-Webb returns for year two under Reisert’s leadership. After claiming back-to-back conference titles in 2022 and 2023, the Bulldogs took a step back in Reisert’s debut with a 4-8 record. But with a solid recruiting class and transfer haul in place, the ‘Dogs appear poised for a rebound.
Can GWU surprise in the conference this season?
🧠 Who’s QB1?
Perhaps the biggest storyline heading into media day: Who will lead the offense?
Last year’s starter, Tyler Riddell, was one of the top passers in North Carolina’s FCS ranks, finishing with 2,573 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. But he’s transferred out, leaving a competitive QB room to battle for starting snaps.
Newcomers include Cole Pennington (Marshall) and Nate Hampton (Liberty), both with FBS experience.
The future may belong to incoming freshman Finley Polk — a standout at Northwestern High in Rock Hill, S.C., who threw for nearly 10,000 yards and 121 touchdowns in his prep career. Polk had a banner senior season, completing 274 of 383 passes for 3,712 yards, 46 touchdowns and only 6 INTS.
🔁 Tapping The Transfer Portal
Gardner-Webb went heavy in the portal for the second year in a row. The current roster posted by the school features 45 transfers in all, including 15 from FBS programs. Can Coach Reisert mesh this group into a winning unit?
Key additions include:
- Markel Fortenberry (WR, Liberty)
- Chris Lofton (WR, James Madison)
- Jalen Harris (WR, Coastal Carolina)
- Sabin McLaughlin (LB, Davidson)
- David Laney (S, North Carolina A&T)
- Gatlin Hancock (TE, Kennesaw State)
For the second year in a row, chemistry and cohesion will be key.
🔍 Key Returners to Know
Despite the turnover, Gardner-Webb brings back several high-impact players:
- Anthony Lowe, WR: 40 catches, 523 yards, 3 TDs (top returning FCS pass-catcher)
- Quasean Holmes, RB: 395 rushing yards, 4 TDs
- Aaron McIver, OL: 839 snaps, 0 sacks allowed
- Antonio O’Berry & Robert Holtz, DLs: Combined for 15.5 tackles-for-loss and 12.5 sacks
- Wendall McClain, S: 3 INTs, 36 tackles
UPDATED 7/14/2025 | 2:30 PM – The OVC/Big South released its official 2025 Preseason Offensive Players to Watch List. On the list for Gardner-Webb were running back Quasean Holmes (Grad.), wide receiver/all-purpose Anthony Lowe (Grad.), tight end Cole Schneider (Sr.) and offensive lineman Andrew Threatt (R-Jr.).
UPDATED 7/15/2025 | 3:30 PM – The OVC/Big South announced its 2025 Defensive Players to Watch. Anthony Lowe (Grad.) makes this list as well, as a punt return specialist and kickoff return specialist. Other GWU players highlighted on the defensive side include defensive lineman Antonio O’Berry (Grad.), linebacker Jackson Marshall (R-Jr.), defensive back Wendall McClain (R-Sr.).
📅 Key Dates for Gardner-Webb Football
Gardner-Webb opens the season Aug. 30 at Western Carolina, then faces a marquee FBS opponent in Georgia Tech (Sept. 6). The home opener is set for Sept. 13 vs. The Citadel, featuring a RedOut and Family Weekend.
Conference play opens Oct. 4 vs. Charleston Southern in the BBQ Bowl — a Big South tradition that now doubles as a key league matchup. Other notable home games include:
- UT Martin (Oct. 18 – Homecoming)
- SEMO (Nov. 8 – Military Appreciation Day)
- Western Illinois (Nov. 22 – Season Finale)
For the second year in a row, Gardner-Webb plays two FBS opponents. The Runnin’ Bulldogs also face Ohio on the road. The Bobcats won the MAC championship a year ago, though their coach, Tim Albin, now leads the Charlotte 49ers.
𝐒𝐞𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐎𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲!#EDGE | #SkoDawgs pic.twitter.com/d4KsrgMXtu — Gardner-Webb Football (@GWUFootball) June 23, 2025
📅 Predicted Order of Finish: OVC/Big South
While the league will release its own predicted order of finish later this week, FCS beat writers for SI.com released their OVC/Big South predictions earlier in the summer.
Tennessee Tech is seen as the team to beat, followed by UT Martin and Southeast Missouri. The SI pundits picked a sixth-place finish for Gardner-Webb. The Runnin’ Bulldogs will look to outperform expectations in a conference known for parity since the OVC and Big South formed their partnership.
🏈 OVC/Big South Football Media Day Schedule
Here is the tentative schedule for Thursday’s OVC/Big South Media Day. Each school will have its head coach and one player participating in a league-wide Zoom call.
- 9:00am CT – Eastern Illinois
- 9:30am CT – Southeast Missouri
- 10:30am CT – Tennessee Tech
- 11:00am CT (12pm ET) – Charleston Southern
- 11:30am CT – Tennessee State
- 12:00pm CT – Western Illinois
- 12:30pm CT (1:30pm ET) – Gardner-Webb
- 1:30pm CT – UT Martin
- 2:00pm CT – Lindenwood
📲 Follow NC Football News all season long for complete Gardner-Webb football coverage, including game previews, standout performances, and key storylines from Boiling Springs.
Check out Gardner-Webb’s full 2025 schedule HERE and the latest Runnin’ Bulldogs/FCS football headlines HERE.
To view & subscribe to our new FREE email newsletter, which include bonus FCS coverage, visit our NC Football Weekly page on Substack.
OVC/Big South Preseason Players to Watch
QUARTERBACK
Zolten Osborne (R-So.), Charleston Southern
Nate Glantz (Sr.), Lindenwood
Kekoa Visperas (R-Sr.), Tennessee Tech
Jase Bauer (R-Sr.), UT Martin
Chris Irvin (Sr.), Western Illinois
RUNNING BACK
Tyson Greenwade (R-So.), Charleston Southern
Jay Pearson (R-Jr.), Eastern Illinois
Quasean Holmes (Grad.), Gardner-Webb
Steve Hall (R-So.), Lindenwood
Payton Brown (So.), Southeast Missouri
Aidan Littles (R-So.), Tennessee Tech
Armoni Goodwin (R-Sr.), UT Martin
Markell Holman (Jr.), Western Illinois
WIDE RECEIVER
Chris Rhone (R-Sr.), Charleston Southern
Cooper Willman (Grad.), Eastern Illinois
Anthony Lowe (Grad.), Gardner-Webb
Rico Bond (R-Fr.), Lindenwood
Cam Pedro (Jr.), Southeast Missouri
Delanie “Juice” Majors (Jr.), Tennessee State
Noah Robinson (R-Sr.), Tennessee Tech
Phaizon Wilson (R-Jr.), UT Martin
Christian Anaya (Jr.), Western Illinois
TIGHT END
Landon Sauers (R-Sr.), Charleston Southern
Alex Herrera (Sr.), Eastern Illinois
Cole Schneider (Sr.), Gardner-Webb
Darrin Fugitt (Jr.), Lindenwood
Jason Hoath Jr. (Jr.), Tennessee State
Brian Courtney (Sr.), Tennessee Tech
Drake Martinez (Sr.), UT Martin
Brandon Lanier (Grad.), Western Illinois
OFFENSIVE LINE
Andrew Threatt (Jr.), Charleston Southern
Nic DiSanto (Jr.), Eastern Illinois
Andrew Threatt (R-Jr.), Gardner-Webb
Gavin Hulet (Sr.), Lindenwood
Rashad Turner (Sr.), Southeast Missouri
Anthony Smith (Grad.), Tennessee State
Drew Wilder (Sr.), Tennessee Tech
Josiah Tingley (Grad.), UT Martin
Dagen Miller (Sr.), Western Illinois
ALL-PURPOSE
Tyson Greenwade (R-So.), Charleston Southern
Cooper Willman (Grad.), Eastern Illinois
Anthony Lowe (Grad.), Gardner-Webb
Brandon Epton Jr. (Sr.), Southeast Missouri
Tremel Jones (R-Sr.), Tennessee Tech
Demari Davis (Sr.), Western Illinois
PLACEKICKER
Zach Gordon (Jr.), Charleston Southern
Will Graham (R-So.), Lindenwood
Dom LeBlanc (So.), Tennessee Tech
Antonio Chadha (Sr.), Western Illinois
DEFENSIVE LINE
David Portu (R-Jr.), Charleston Southern
Drake Van Hyfte (R-Sr.), Eastern Illinois
Antonio O’Berry (Grad.), Gardner-Webb
Tajay Passmore (Sr.), Lindenwood
Nasim Cairo (Sr.), Southeast Missouri
Hudson Tucker (Sr.), Tennessee Tech
Peyton Bradford (Grad.), Western Illinois
LINEBACKER
Steve Zayachkowsky (Jr.), Charleston Southern
Phoenix Porter (R-Sr.), Eastern Illinois
Jackson Marshall (R-Jr.), Gardner-Webb
Devon Edwards (Sr.), Lindenwood
McCoy Casey (Sr.), Southeast Missouri
Sammy Taylor (R-So.), Tennessee State
Aaron Swafford (Sr.), Tennessee Tech
Tah Mac Bright Banda (Sr.), UT Martin
Christian Pierce (Grad.), Western Illinois
DEFENSIVE BACK
Champ Brantley (Jr.), Charleston Southern
Tienne Fridge (Grad.), Eastern Illinois
Wendall McClain (R-Sr.), Gardner-Webb
Jayden Patrick (Sr.), Lindenwood
Justus Johnson (Sr.), Southeast Missouri
Camani Cobbs (R-So.), Tennessee State
Tim Coutras (Grad.), Tennessee Tech
JaMichael McGoy Jr. (R-Sr.), UT Martin
Willie Jones (Sr.), Western Illinois
PUNTER
Gilbert Brown (Sr.), Charleston Southern
Mason Miller (Grad.), Eastern Illinois
Mark Shenouda (R-So.), Tennessee State
Spencer Ashby (So.), Tennessee Tech
Jaren Van Winkle (R-Sr.), UT Martin
KICK RETURN SPECIALIST
Quay Kindell (Jr.), Charleston Southern
Anthony Lowe (Grad.), Gardner-Webb
Tremel Jones (R-Sr.), Tennessee Tech
Avery Knight (R-Fr.), Western Illinois
PUNT RETURN SPECIALIST
Jamil Bishop (R-Sr.), Charleston Southern
Anthony Lowe (Grad.), Gardner-Webb
Cooper Willman (Grad.), Eastern Illinois
Rico Bond (R-Fr.), Lindenwood
Tremel Jones (R-Sr.), Tennessee Tech
Demari Davis (Sr.), Western Illinois
LONG SNAPPER
Noah Summers (R-Jr.), Charleston Southern
Brett Galletti (R-Sr.), Eastern Illinois
Nelson Pipes (Sr.), Lindenwood
Judd Cunningham (Sr.), Southeast Missouri
Ben Bergfeld (Jr.), Western Illinois
