Lowery's 50-yard FG lifts Tennessee State over Gardner-Webb 27-25

Updated Sep. 16, 2023 10:24 p.m. ET

Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — James Lowery kicked a 50-yard field goal with 9 seconds remaining to rally Tennessee State to a 27-25 victory over Gardner-Webb on Saturday night.

Lowery's kick came after Matthew Caldwell caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Narii Gaither to give Gardner-Webb a 25-24 lead with 4:50 left to play in the Big South-OVC Association opener.

Gardner-Webb (1-2) went 49 yards on its opening drive, grabbing the lead on Gaither's 1-yard run. Tennessee State (2-1) pulled even on Deveon Bryant's 24-yard touchdown run late in the quarter.

Caldwell connected with Darius Hough for a 28-yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead for the Runnin' Bulldogs with 9:51 left before halftime. Draylen Ellis answered with a 55-yard scoring strike to Da'Shon Davis at the 1:39 mark to tie it at 14-all. Jay Billingsley kicked a 48-yard field goal with 3 seconds left to give Gardner-Webb a 17-14 lead at intermission.

Jalen Rouse scored on a 7-yard run midway through the third quarter to put Tennessee State up 21-17. Rouse was tackled in the end zone on the Tigers' next possession for a safety, cutting their lead to two heading to the final period.

Lowery booted a 49-yard field goal to push the Tigers' lead to five. Gaither, a running back, passed 16 yards to Caldwell for a touchdown and a 25-24 lead after the two-point conversion failed.

Tennessee State's winning drive started at its own 5-yard line.

Ellis completed 16 of 28 passes for 154 yards with one interception for the Tigers.

Caldwell totaled 219 yards on 20-of-49 passing for the Runnin' Bulldogs. Gaither carried 17 times for 152 yards.

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