Kentucky

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

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

The Runnin’ Bulldogs (7-5) led 31-27 at half and took the sport over within the third quarter when Fisher hit T.J. Luther for a 12-yard landing cross and ran in from 12 and 16 yards for a 52-27 lead. It’s essentially the most factors they scored this season for the reason that opener in opposition to an Division II playoff qualifer.

Now the Massive South computerized qualifier goes to fifth-seeded William & Mary subsequent Saturday. Gardner-Webb misplaced within the NAIA championship 30 years in the past and have become FCS eligible 20 years in the past. Within the two years the Bulldogs received Massive South titles, the league didn’t have an computerized berth within the playoffs.

Japanese Kentucky (7-5) had an opportunity to mount a comeback as Parker McKinney, a Payton Award finalist, threw his fourth landing cross early within the fourth quarter however on the subsequent possession was picked off in the long run zone. His fifth landing cross got here with 1:02 to play and Gardner-Webb recovered the on-side kick.

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The Colonels, who acquired the inaugural ASUN-WAC berth, had been making their twenty second playoff look since 1978 however haven’t received a playoff sport since 1994.

The Bulldogs ran for 405 yards as Fisher had 88 on seven keepers and Jayden Brown had 83 on 12 with a landing.

Parker completed 37 of 57 for a career-high 454 yards. Jaden Smith had 9 catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns. Cornelius McCoy had 155 yards on six receptions with a landing.

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AP school soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25. Join the AP’s school soccer e-newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/mrxhe6f2

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