Campbell improved to 6-1 on the season and 3-0 in Big South play with its sixth consecutive victory, dropping Gardner-Webb to 3-5 overall and 1-2 in league games. CU’s six wins on the year also ties a modern era school record.
The Camels trailed 27-13 heading into the fourth quarter, and with 4:01 remaining, took the ball from their own 34. Jaquan Brooks’ 21-yard over the shoulder catch from Hajj-Malik Williams put CU into Gardner-Webb territory, and an eight-yard Williams run gave the Camels another first down two plays later to extend the drive.
Facing fourth and two at the GWU 20, Cameron Davis’ 12-yard run, followed by Williams’ eight-yard TD pass to Jalen Kelsey brought Campbell within a score at 27-20 with 1:55 on the clock.
After the on-side kick was recovered by GWU, the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ punt from the Campbell 43 with only seven seconds remaining in regulation was blocked by Greg Streater off the left side, deflecting to Alex Santiago, who scampered 41 yards up the sideline for the touchdown with no time on the clock.
Colin Gary’s extra point forced overtime, at 27-all, Campbell’s first since 2017.
Williams found Caleb Snead over the middle on the first play of overtime for the quick Campbell score, but Gardner-Webb answered with back to back TD drives, both passes from Kalen Whitlow to Chuma Awanna.
Campbell came back with another score of its own, this time a punch in from Williams, and took a 47-41 lead on Johnathan Hawkins’ three-yard run, set up by Williams’s 22-yard scramble. Williams added the two-point conversion to go ahead 49-41.
Gardner-Webb found the end zone again in three plays, scoring on Jayln Cagle’s one-yard run, but Whitlow’s two-point conversion pass attempt fell incomplete, preserving the 49-47 win for Campbell.
Williams completed 22-of-36 passes with two touchdowns and an interception, adding 100 yards rushing and two more scores for the Camels in the OT win. Hawkins added 105 yards and a touchdown, while Caleb Snead caught four passes for 104 yards and a touchdown.
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| Campbell QB Hajj-Malin Williams Photo Credit: Jeremy Brevard (GWU Photos) |
Cagle led Gardner-Webb with 103 yards rushing and a TD, adding 39 yards receiving. Whitlow completed 15-of-20 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns, with nine completions going to Devron Harper for 106 yards. Awanna and Izaiah Gathings tacked on two TD catches apiece for GWU.
Dorian Jones totaled a game-high 12 tackles for the Camels, including 2.5 stops for loss and a sack, while Kam Prewitt and Darion Slade added eight tackles each. Damien Dozier also collected 2.5 tackles for loss with a sack in the win.
Darien Reynolds posted 10 tackles for Gardner-Webb, while Devin Mines tallied eight stops and forced a fumble.
Campbell heads back on the road next week, traveling to future Big South member North Alabama while Gardner-Webb hosts Charleston Southern.
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