Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs @ Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
King throws for 3 TDs and the Gardner-Webb defense records a pair of Pick 6's to beat Tennessee Tech
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- — Jaylen King threw for three touchdowns, on 12-of-19 passing, and the Gardner-Webb defense returned two of its three interceptions for touchdowns in a 35-0 victory over Tennessee Tech on Saturday.
Gardner-Webb (6-4, 4-1 Big South–OVC Football Association) clinched back-to-back winning records for the first time since 2002-03. The Runnin' Bulldogs face rival Charleston Southern next week for a chance at clinching a share of the conference championship, and the automatic bid to the FCS playoffs for the second year in a row.
Gardner-Webb scored 14 points in less than four minutes to begin the game. Defensive back Jamari Brown intercepted a pass from Tennessee Tech QB Jordyn Potts on the third play of the game and scored from 33-yards out. Tennessee Tech went for it on fourth-and-1 on its next possession and Ty Anderson recorded a tackle-for-loss to give the Runnin’ Bulldogs good field position. Gardner-Webb scored two plays later when King found Narii Gaither for a 23-yard touchdown.
Ja’Kai Young added his second Pick 6 of the season when he returned it 23 yards for the defense's second score of the game for a 35-0 lead at the break. Brandon Wilson made the third interception of Potts. It was the first time in Gardner-Webb’s Division-I history that the defense has had two pick 6's in a game.
King passed for 171 yards, with 82 yards and two touchdowns going to Gaither. Karim Page added three catches for 80 yards and a score.
The Gardner-Webb defense held Tennessee Tech to 0 for 5 on fourth down and 6 for 22 on third down. The Golden Eagles had just seven first downs and 232 total yards.
Potts was 24 of 44 for 206 yards for Tennessee Tech (3-7, 1-4).
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Game Information
Cookeville, TN
2025 Standings
| OVC-Big South AssociationOVC-Big South Association | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Tech | 8-0 | 11-2 |
| UT Martin | 6-2 | 6-6 |
| Gardner-Webb | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Lindenwood | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Charleston Southern | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Western Illinois | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Eastern Illinois | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Tennessee State | 0-8 | 2-10 |
| Southern ConferenceSouthern Conference | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 8-0 | 9-3 |
| Western Carolina | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| East Tennessee State | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Wofford | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Chattanooga | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Furman | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| The Citadel | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Samford | 1-7 | 1-11 |
| VMI | 0-8 | 1-11 |
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