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Eastern Kentucky Colonels (7-5)

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Gardner-Webb tops E Kentucky 52-41 for 1st FCS playoff win

RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) Narii Gaither rushed for a career-high 245 yards and two touchdowns, quarterback Bailey Fisher ran for three more and Gardner-Webb made its first-ever FCS playoff appearance memorable with a 52-41 win over Eastern Kentucky on Saturday night.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (7-5) led 31-27 at half and took the game over in the third quarter when Fisher hit T.J. Luther for a 12-yard touchdown pass and ran in from 12 and 16 yards for a 52-27 lead. It's the most points they scored this season since the opener against an Division II playoff qualifer.

Now the Big South automatic qualifier goes to fifth-seeded William & Mary next Saturday. Gardner-Webb lost in the NAIA championship 30 years ago and became FCS eligible 20 years ago. In the two years the Bulldogs won Big South titles, the league didn't have an automatic berth in the playoffs.

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Colonels Headlines

Leaders
Passing Yards: P. McKinney3956
Passing TDs: P. McKinney33
Rushing Yards: B. Sloan629
Rushing TDs: P. McKinney8
Receiving Yards: C. McCoy768
Receiving TDs: J. Higgins10
Interceptions: None 
Schedule 2022
Date Opponent Result / Time
9/2 at Eastern Michigan L 34 - 42
9/10 at Bowling Green W 59 - 57
9/17 vs. Charleston Southern W 40 - 17
9/24 at Austin Peay L 20 - 31
10/1 vs. Southern Utah W 35 - 28
10/15 vs. Sam Houston L 17 - 25
10/22 vs. North Alabama W 56 - 53
10/29 at Southeast Missouri State W 28 - 23
11/5 vs. Central Arkansas W 42 - 14
11/12 at Jacksonville State L 17 - 42
11/19 vs. Kennesaw State W 45 - 38
11/26 vs. Gardner-Webb L 41 - 52
Atlantic Sun
  Conference Overall
Jacksonville State 5-0 9-2
Austin Peay 3-2 7-4
Eastern Kentucky 3-2 7-5
Central Arkansas 3-2 5-6
Kennesaw State 1-4 5-6
North Alabama 0-5 1-10
Offense (FCS Rank)
Defense (FCS Rank)