It seems every season there is a buzz surrounding Gardner-Webb that winds up proving over the top as the season progresses.  Is this the year the Bulldogs finally put it back together?

It never fails that when preseason lists come rolling out from various media outlets, there always are an abundance of G-W players honored and the consensus is that there is enough talent that the Bulldogs should contend for the Big South crown.  And that appears to be the case again heading into this fall.

Courtesy: Bob Carey Photo

All discussion of G-W football for better or worse has to begin with head coach Steve Patton.  After 13 seasons as head coach, Patton has built the program into his own image.  But despite winning the first two ever Big South Championships, his Bulldogs haven’t had a winning record in the Big South over the past six seasons.  Many G-W fans question whether he is the best man to be leading the program.  But with a contract in place, G-W is no position to make a change barring a complete disaster.

Courtesy: Bob Carey Photo

Patrick Hall is one of the top running backs in the Big South heading into the 2010 season.  In ’09, he rolled up 599 yards & 12 TDs while averaging 5.5 yards a carry.  expect to see him carry the ball more this season now that there are questions at the quarterback position after the graduation of Stan Doolittle.  Sophomore John Rock picked up some mop up duty last fall and is the only QB on the roster with any game experience.  Whoever is throwing the ball will have a solid target in James Perry III.  The junior receiver who generally goes by the name ‘Tre’ is coming off an ’09 season when he led the Bulldogs with 61 catches for 749 yards and 3 TDs.

Courtesy: Gardner-Webb

Why am I posting a pic of this kid who looks like he could host a show on the Disney Channel or Nickelodeon?  Because this is the only pic I could find of Marty Patterson and he is a flat out beast at linebacker for the Bulldogs.  He is generally regarded as the top defensive player in the Big South heading into the 2010 season and he’s on a slew of All-American lists.  And why not?  He racked up 110 tackles last season in 11 games including 14 for loss.  He added 5 sacks and picked off a pair of passes.  And he has some solid help behind him with senior Bryce Nixon at corner.

Bottom line, G-Dub brings back enough to talent to be dangerous.   This has the potential to be “that” game in the Big South that jumps up and bites us annually.