Oct. 18, 2003

Charleston, SC - Junior fullback Nehemiah Broughton rushed 28 times for a season-high 159 yards to lead a Citadel ground attack that rolled up 236 yards rushing en route to defeating No. 13 Furman, 10-9, in Southern Conference football action, Saturday evening in Johnson Hagood Stadium.

"Nemo is just getting better each week and he is finally healthy," Citadel head coach Ellis Johnson stated. "He made a huge play on third down in the first half that was pivotal for us."

After a seesaw defensive struggle in the first quarter, The Citadel (4-3, 3-1 SoCon) broke the ice at the 8:04 mark in the second period. Senior quarterback Willie Simmons capped off a 14-play drive that covered 99 yards as he improvised on a highlight reel play and rushed three yards for the score. The scoring drive was highlighted by a Broughton 44-yard run on second and 10 from The Citadel 40-yard line.

"They had the play covered and Willie did a great job improvising to get the score," Johnson continued. "It was one of the most athletic plays I have witnessed in my short time here at The Citadel."

The Bulldogs added what proved to be the game-winning field goal with five seconds left in the half as senior place kicker Travis Zobel nailed a 33-yard to extend the lead to 10-0. The field goal came following an interception by senior linebacker Travis Hodge, the first of his career, at the Furman 33-yard line that he returned 12-yards to set up the scoring drive.

The Citadel's defense continued to stymie the Paladins until late in the third quarter. Furman (4-3, 2-2 SoCon) then capitalized on a 12-play drive that covered 59-yards and lasted 6:04 as senior place kicker Danny Marshall converted on a 29-yard field goal attempt to cut the lead to 10-3. After a number of defensive stands, the Paladins mounted the last scoring drive of the game as quarterback Josh Stepp plunged three yards for the score with 3:06 remaining in the game. With only an extra point separating the game, Furman snapper Patrick Covington short-hopped holder Jeremiah Van Dora who was unable to place the ball for the kick and Citadel defensive back Marcus Cohen tackled him on the play.

"We just didn't execute on the snap and it hurt us today," Furman head coach Bobby Lamb stated. "I'm proud of my team, but we've got to give The Citadel credit when credit is due. Coach Ellis Johnson and his team played a heckuva game today."

Furman attempted an on-side kick that failed and the Bulldogs ran the clock down to 12 seconds before punting and holding the Paladins on their final possession. The victory by The Citadel is the first over Furman since 1998 and the first win in Johnson Hagood since 1993. The back-to-back SoCon losses by Furman are the first since 1998. The 3-1 start in the Southern Conference is the best by The Citadel since 1992 and the Bulldogs are 4-0 at home for the first time since 1988 when they went undefeated in Johnson Hagood.

Of note, the 100-yard rushing performance by Broughton was the eighth of his career and wide receiver Scooter Johnson extended his school record of games with at least one reception to 20. The interception by Hodge was the first of his career and he finished the game with a team-high eight tackles.

The Bulldogs take to the road as they travel to Statesboro, GA, to take on perennial national power Georgia Southern at 1:00 pm. Furman returns home to take on East Tennessee State at 2:00 pm in Greenville.