BOILING SPRINGS — This year’s meeting between the Running Bulldogs and the 49ers was similar to the 2013 game.
The Running Bulldogs defeated the 49ers 27-24 in a game that was not over until the clock read zero
Down 27-17, Charlotte quarterback Matt Johnson connected with Austin Duke for an 80-yard touchdown with 2 minutes, 21 seconds left in the game.
Gardner-Webb recovered the onside kick to seal the win.
Johnson was 12 of 27 for 255 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
A pair of receivers turned in 100-yard performances. Duke caught seven passes for 129 yards, and Dmarjai Devine got 114 yards out of his two catches.
Running back Kalif Phillips had 23 carries for 94 yards.
Safety Branden Dozier had a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown with 3:59 left in the first half that gave Charlotte a 17-14 lead.
In the third quarter, a 71-yard pass from Lucas Beatty to Deonte Swinton gave Gardner-Webb a 24-17 lead.
South Alabama 47, Appalachian State 21
BOONE — The Jaguars scored 20 unanswered points in the first half en route to a 26-point victory at Kidd-Brewer Stadium.
Appalachian (1-4, 0-2) got on the board with a 20-yard pass from Taylor Lamb to Malachi Jones with 3:06 left in the second quarter.
Lamb passed for 152 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 86 yards.
South Alabama scored 20 unanswered points in the third quarter as it built a 40-7 lead.
Terrence Timmons, Jay Jones and Xavier Johnson combined for 197 yards rushing for the Jaguars.