Nov. 9, 2002

Charleston, Sc - Today is a big day for Citadel football.

It's homecoming, when throngs of alumni return to see what's happening at the old school. The 25th anniversary celebration of the school's athletic hall of fame will feature luminaries of Citadel sports such as Norm Sloan, Art Baker, Les Robinson and Chal Port. Players from the Bulldogs' 1992 Southern Conference championship football team will be honorary team captains for the game.

And, before the 2 p.m. kickoff with Chattanooga, school officials plan to announce a huge donation toward the $10 million renovation of Johnson Hagood Stadium.

All that's needed to cap off the day is a Citadel victory. And with winless Chattanooga in town, all would seem to be in order for a splendid Citadel day.

But, as the saying goes - not so fast, my friend.

Though the Mocs are 0-9 for the first time in school history - prompting the usual sorts of turmoil that go with those kind of records - Citadel coach Ellis Johnson is wary.

"We probably don't have five kids that they would want in their lineup," Johnson said. "It's just for some reason, they haven't been able to put it together. We'd better be prepared, because they are certainly capable of putting it together."

Despite their record, which has third-year coach Donnie Kirkpatrick on the hot seat, the Mocs have actually improved in recent weeks. Quarterback Ryan McCann - who led UCLA to a win over third-ranked Alabama in 2000, when Johnson was the Crimson Tide's defensive coordinator - has overcome soreness in his throwing shoulder and has tossed two touchdown passes in each of the last four games.

Over that stretch, Chattanooga has taken Wofford to overtime, scored 31 points against VMI and 28 against Western Carolina, and tested Appalachian State before losing by 20-17 last week.

The Mocs, however, rank last in the SoCon in rushing and are giving up 33.4 points per game. Remarkably, an opposing player has won a conference player of the week award against Chattanooga every week this season, except one.

The Bulldogs have issues of their own. After scoring 24 or more points in five of their first six games - averaging 25.3 points over that stretch - the Dogs have hit that mark just once in the last three games, averaging 16 points in that span. The Citadel had four 100-yard rushing performances (three by sophomore Nehemiah Broughton) in the first five games, and just one (by Broughton) in the four games since.

The woes can be traced to injuries on the offensive line, where tackle Dan Blary (knee) is out for the season and center Chad Boozer (knee) is hobbled. Citadel coaches have shuffled the line again this week, trying to find a combination that works.

If they don't - and should Chattanooga win today - the Mocs would drag the Bulldogs down into last place in the SoCon. That's the last thing the Bulldogs - or those homecoming alumni, Hall of Famers and 1992 champions - want to see.

"This is definitely a must-win game," said junior offensive tackle Jared Perdue.

"All of these last three games are. We need them."

CHATTANOOGA AT THE CITADELWhen: 2 p.m.

Where: Johnson Hagood Stadium

Radio: WCOO 105.5-FM

Records: Chattanooga 0-9, 0-5 SoCon; The Citadel 2-7, 1-5

Series: Chattanooga leads, 20-13-2

Last meeting: Citadel won, 20-17, in double overtime

Last games: Appalachian State 20, Chattanooga 17; Wofford 27, The Citadel 14

Notes: Two struggling teams with some hard-luck stories meet in the Bulldogs' homecoming game ... Chattanooga has lost three SoCon games by a total of 13 points; The Citadel has lost three league games by 16 points ... Results against common foes indicate a tough game today; Chattanooga is 0-4 against Georgia Southern, Wofford, Western Carolina and App State, losing by an average margin of 11 points; The Citadel is 0-4 against the same clubs, losing by an average of 7 points ... Chattanooga likely will be without tackle James Clark (diverticulitis) and Jeremy Grier (ankle), one of the top receivers in the SoCon ... The Citadel has shuffled its offensive line, with tackle Dan Blary (knee) out and center Chad Boozer (knee) questionable.