Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs football

The Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Gardner–Webb University in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The team competes in the Division I FCS and are members of the Big South–OVC Football Association. Gardner–Webb's first football team was fielded in 1970. The team plays its home games at the 9,000-seat Ernest W. Spangler Stadium in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. The Runnin' Bulldogs are coached by Cris Reisert.

Classifications

 * 1970–1992: NAIA Division I
 * 1991–1999: NCAA Division II
 * 2000–present: NCAA Division I-AA/FCS

Conference affiliations

 * Independent (1946–1951)
 * NAIA Independent (1952–1974)
 * South Atlantic Conference (1975–1999)
 * NCAA Division I-AA Independent (2000–2001)
 * Big South Conference (2002–2022)
 * Big South–OVC Football Association (2023–present)

Conference championships
† denotes co-championship

NAIA
The Runnin' Bulldogs appeared in the NAIA playoffs two times, with an overall record of 3–2.

Division I FCS
The Runnin' Bulldogs have appeared in the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs two times, with an overall record of 1–2.

Notable former players
Notable alumni include:
 * Jim Garrison - American football head coach
 * Bobby Hopkins - American football player and world champion arm-wrestler, Tampa Bay Bandits (1983)
 * Gabe Wilkins - DT, Green Bay Packers (1994–1997), San Francisco 49ers (1998–1999)
 * Cole Proctor – NFL Scout with Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals

Future non-conference opponents
Future non-conference opponents announced as of January 19, 2023.