Gardner-Webb football has made it a habit of playing multiple FBS opponents in non-conference action in recent seasons.
That trend will continue in 2024 and 2025.
GWU, which will usher in the Cris Reisert coaching era this fall, will play at James Madison (Sun Belt Conference) and at Charlotte (American Athletic) on back-to-back Saturdays this September. Gardner-Webb is set to visit Georgia Tech (ACC) and Ohio (MAC) as part of its non-conference slate next year.
—> YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Gardner-Webb signs whopping 46-player recruiting class
The Bulldogs have never played James Madison. They have a 1-3 all-time record against Charlotte. The lone win over the 49ers came in 2014, a 27-24 triumph. The most recent meeting against Charlotte was in 2021, a 38-10 defeat.
GWU lost to Georgia Tech 10-7 in 2008, the only meeting between the schools. The ‘Dogs are 0-3 all-time against Ohio.
Last season, Gardner-Webb started the season at Appalachian State and visited East Carolina a few weeks later. The Bulldogs lost both contests but went on to claim the Big South/OVC championship.
In 2022, Gardner-Webb played at Coastal Carolina, Marshall and Liberty. The 2021 season featured trips to Georgia Southern and Charlotte.
This season will be GWU’s second as part of the Big South/OVC arrangement. There are nine teams in the Big South/OVC for 2024, and the schedule will be round-robin.
The original Big South/OVC agreement was to go through 2026. But school leaders recently agreed to an enhanced agreement that could take the association through 2030, possibly beyond.
Other Big South/OVC schools include Charleston Southern, Eastern Illinois, Lindenwood (Missouri), Southeast Missouri State, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee-Martin and Western Illinois
Aside from 2025, Gardner-Webb has not built out much of its future non-conference scheduling, at least publicly. The Bulldogs have a home-and-home series set with FCS foes Chattanooga and The Citadel, plus a game next season at Western Carolina — but nothing else through 2030. Chattanooga, The Citadel and Western Carolina all play in the FCS Southern Conference.
Gardner-Webb Future Non-Conference Opponents
- 2025: at Western Carolina (Aug. 30), at Georgia Tech (Sept. 6), The Citadel (Sept. 13), at Ohio (Sept. 20)
- 2026: Chattanooga (Sept. 19)
- 2028: at The Citadel (Sept. 2)
- 2030: at Chattanooga (Sept. 14)
Gardner-Webb 2024 Schedule
