In most college football circles, the name Gardner-Webb doesn’t carry much weight. The Runnin’ Bulldogs have only been at the FCS level since 2000, so it’s still easy to find cheap Gardner-Webb Football tickets. However, the Bulldogs have made some saves in their short football history. They also play just outside of Charlotte, giving them the potential to attract a large fanbase. In other words, the future is bright for the Runnin’ Bulldogs and it won’t be long until last-minute Gardner-Webb football tickets are a hot commodity in North Carolina.

On the Move

After playing their first season of college football in 1970, it took the Runnin’ Bulldogs a little time to get things off the ground. But by the late 1980s, the program was moving in the right direction. Head coach Woody Fish took the reins in 1984, and by 1987, Gardner-Webb won its first-ever conference championship while also reaching the NAIA Playoffs. In 1992, Fish again guided the Runnin’ Bulldogs to a conference title. However, he took Gardner-Webb even further, as the Runnin’ Bulldogs reached the NAIA national championship game, only to fall at home 19-16 to Central State.

Big Dogs in the Big South

In 2000, Gardner-Webb made the leap from NAIA to the FCS level. Under head coach Steve Patton, the Runnin’ Bulldogs officially joined the Big South Conference in 2002 and won the conference championship in their first two seasons playing in the league. While Gardner-Webb struggled to maintain success after that, the program’s early success in the Big South sent the message that the Runnin’ Bulldogs were to be taken seriously. To date, Gardner-Webb football continues to have big dreams and big potential.