Charleston, S.C. - The Citadel football team will take on their second Division I-A opponent of three games this season when they head to Heinz Field to play against the Pittsburgh Panthers. The game will kick-off at 1:30 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on ESPN360 and The Citadel Sports Network, ESPN WTMZ 910 AM.
Saturday's game against the Panthers will be the first match-up between the two schools, but will not be The Citadel's first trip to Pennsylvania. The last time the Bulldogs traveled to the Keystone State was in 1971 when the Bulldogs defeated Bucknell 38-35 in Lewisburg, Pa. The Citadel is 5-1 against schools from Pennsylvania and look to find similar success this weekend at Heinz Field.
The Citadel (0-2 overall;0-0 SoCon) was off last week after an upsetting loss to Charleston Southern on Sept. 9. The Bulldogs were defeated by the Buccaneers in double-overtime, 38-35. After rallying from a 28-13 fourth quarter deficit to tie the contest at 28 with 1:26 left in regulation, the Bulldogs could not keep it going or stop the Bucs. After both teams scored touchdowns in the first overtime, Blake Vandiver missed a 39-yard field goal in The Citadel's possession in second overtime. After Charleston Southern (2-0) quarterback Collin Drafts hit Maurice Price for an 18-yard gain to the Bulldog 12 and tailback Kenny Harper rushed for three more to the nine, Ellis split the uprights with the first field goal of the day for either team to win the game.
Pitt (2-1 overall; 1-0 BIG EAST) is coming off a 33-28 loss to Michigan State on Saturday, Sept. 16 at Heinz Field. The Panthers took an early first quarter 10-0 lead, but the Spartans came back with 10 points of their own to tie the game at the half. MSU held on to the momentum, holding the Panthers scoreless in the third quarter at 24-10. Pitt tried to recover, but was unable to reclaim the lead.
For live audio of Saturday's game against Pitt, go WTMZ 910 AM or www.CitadelSports.com. Fans can also enjoy a video and audio broadcast for the first time at www.ESPN360.com. For more information, contact The Citadel Media Relations at (843) 953-5120.
More Notes:
41st Meeting: The Citadel vs. Division I-A
Saturday's match-up against Pitt will be the 41st match-up between The Citadel and the Division I-A since the split in 1978. However, the Bulldogs have not seen as much success as hoped against these football powerhouses. Including the 2006 season-opener loss to Texas A&M on Sept. 2, The Citadel has lost 16 consecutive games against Division I-A opponents. Their last win came against in 1992 against Army in a 15-14 win in West Point, N.Y. During that same season, the Bulldogs defeated Arkansas 10-2 in the season-opener in Fayetteville, Ark. The Citadel, that season led by Hall of Famers Jack Douglas and Lester Smith, went on to win the SoCon Championship. The Bulldogs have played 40 games against Division I-A opponents and are 7-33. The wins were against: Vanderbilt (1979), Navy (1988, 1989), South Carolina (1990), Army (1991, 1992), and Arkansas (1992).
SoCon vs. Pitt; BIG EAST
Saturday's match up between The Citadel and Pittsburgh will be the first meeting between the two schools. However, both schools have met up with other opponents from their respective conferences. Saturday's game will be only the third time the Panthers have competed against a school from the Southern Conference. The first match-up between Pitt and the SoCon was in 2001 when the Panthers met East Tennessee State on Sept. 1. Pitt won 31-0. The second SoCon matchup was on Sept. 25, 2004, when the Panthers defeated the Paladins of Furman, 41-38 in overtime...The Citadel on the other hand has competed against four schools from the BIG EAST, but only one of those schools were members of the conference when the competitions took place. The Citadel played then-BIG EAST member Miami (Fla.) in a 52-6 loss in the Orange Bowl in 1996. The Bulldogs lost to Villanova 46-0 in 1956, while West Virginia leads the series against The Citadel 5-1, with all six match ups taking place between 1959 and 1968. However, The BIG EAST was formed in 1979 and the BIG EAST football conference wasn't established until 1991. The Bulldogs have also met up with South Florida on two occasions, when they were Division I-AA independent; in Charleston in 1997 (W, 10-7) and Tampa the next year (L, 45-6).
The Citadel vs. All-BIG EAST*
Miami leads series, 2-0
Miami (Fla.) 1950 L, 21-0 Coral Gables, Fla.
Miami (Fla.)% 1996 L, 52-6 Coral Gables, Fla.
Series tied 1-1
South Florida+ 1997 W, 10-7 Charleston, S.C.
South Florida+ 1998 L, 45-6 Tampa, Fla.
Villanova leads series 1-0
Villanova 1956 L, 46-0 Villanova, Pa.
West Virginia leads series 5-1
West Virginia 1959 W, 20-14 Morgantown, W.Va.
West Virginia 1962 L, 49-0 Morgantown, W.Va.
West Virginia 1964 L, 7-3 Morgantown, W.Va.
West Virginia 1965 L, 25-2 Charleston, S.C.
West Virginia 1966 L, 35-0 Morgantown, W.Va.
West Virginia 1968 L, 17-0 Morgantown, W.Va.
*Big East formed in 1979 and the football conference formed in 1991.
% Miami, a charter member of Big East Football, joined the ACC in 2004.
+ South Florida joined the Big East Conference in 2005.
Pitt vs. Palmetto State
Saturday's game will be the seventh time Pitt has taken on an opponent from the Palmetto State. The Panthers have competed against three schools from South Carolina on six different occasions, with a 5-1 advantage. The first matchup between Pitt and a South Carolina team was in 1977 when they defeated the Clemson Tigers, 34-3, in the Dec. 30 Gator Bowl. The Panthers also defeated Furman in overtime, 41-38, on Sept. 25, 2004. The most they've played a school from South Carolina was the University of South Carolina in 1980, '81, '84 and '85. Pitt leads that series 3-1.
The Citadel vs. Pennsylvania
The last time The Citadel played a team from Pennsylvania was when the Bulldogs took on Bucknell in 1987. The game was played in Boston, Mass., and the Bulldogs won, 34-7. The Citadel is 5-1 against teams from the Keystone State, including five in a row since losing to Villanova in 1956. Two of the five wins are against I-AA powerhouse Lehigh, where Bulldog Head Coach Kevin Higgins spent 13 seasons (1988-2000). The Citadel's wins against Lehigh came in 1968 in Charleston (28-12) and 1969 in Bethlehem, Pa. (41-16).
The Citadel leads series, 3-0
Bucknell 1970 W, 42-28 Charleston, S.C.
Bucknell 1971 W, 38-35 Lewisburg, Pa.
Bucknell 1987 W, 34-7 Boston, Mass.
The Citadel leads series, 2-0
Lehigh 1968 W, 28-12 Charleston, S.C.
Lehigh 1969 W, 41-16 Bethlehem, Pa.
Villanova leads series 1-0
Villanova 1956 L, 46-0 Villanova, Pa.
The Citadel Makes Second Trip to the NFL
The Citadel football team will make only their second appearence in recent years in one of the National Football League's newest stadiums when they take on the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on Saturday, Sept. 23. Their first NFL stadium experience in recent years came in 1998 when they took on South Florida in Tampa. Hoping to have more success this go around, the Bulldogs loss to USF 45-6 in the opening game at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Super Bowl XXXV in 2001.
Nothing New
As The Citadel heads to Heinz Field to take on their second Division I-A opponent in three games this season, it will not be the first time the Bulldogs take on the challenge of playing in a big college atmosphere. In fact, it's starting to become a regular with The Citadel football program. Starting off the 2006 season on Sept. 2 at Texas A&M, within six years The Citadel has visited and played in four of the top-10 college football stadiums, according to a selection by CBSSportsLine.com. In 2002, the Bulldogs competed at LSU's Tiger Stadium (No. 5), at Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium (No. 9) in 2004 and Florida State's Doak Campbell Stadium (No. 7) in 2005. TAMU's Kyle Field, the 14th largest stadium (82,600), is ranked the top college football stadium. The Citadel also played against Florida in 1998 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, ranked No. 4 among college football stadiums.
Roberts Has Impressive Home Debut
True freshman Andre Roberts, a former standout at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, S.C., had an impressive home debut performance against Charleston Southern on Sept. 9. The 5-10, 170-pound freshman recorded his first and the Bulldogs' only passing touchdown in the double-overtime loss against the Buccaneers. Roberts caught three passes for 46 yards. His longest reception was a 36-yard pass from Duran Lawson with 2:24 left in the fourth quarter, tying the game and leading the Bulldogs in overtime.
Cooper Records First TDs
Since junior Tory Cooper made the move to running back in mid-season last year, he has been on a path of steady success. Cooper, who played running back at South Florence High School, spent the beginning of last season in the wide receiver position. Not seeing much action, Cooper moved to a position he knew and felt more comfortable playing. Although he finished the 2005 season with only four carries for 23 yards, he continued to show steady improvement. He was named the Bulldogs' Most Improved Player after an impressive spring training. According to Coach Higgins, Cooper is getting better and better and holds the No. 2 spot behind Nuru Goodrum for the 2006 season. Most recently, Cooper has lived up to his “Most Improved” honor after having a career-performance in the home opener against Charleston Southern on Sept. 9. The South Florence High School standout recorded his first two rushing touchdowns of his collegiate career. He totaled 48 yards on nine carries with two TDs.
Bucs Bring out the Best in Lawson
Last season junior quarterback Duran Lawson started off the season on a great note, recording a career performance against Charleston Southern. The then-sophomore quarterback threw 14-for-24 for a total of 168 yards, three touchdown passes and one five-yard run TD. Although the Bulldogs were disappointed with a 38-35 overtime loss to the Bucs this year, Lawson recorded another career-performance against Charleston Southern on Sept. 9. The junior threw 21-for-27 for a career-total of 205 yards. His long was a 36-yard touchdown pass to true freshman Andre Roberts, for the only passing TD of the game.
Reese Earns Player of the Week Honors for CSU Performance
True freshman defensive lineman Terrence Reese earned defensive player of the week honors for another impressive performance in the Bulldogs home-opener against Charleston Southern. The 6-0, 294-pounder from North, S.C. recorded two tackles and two quarterback hurries against the Buccaneers in his collegiate home debut.
Lawson Leads Bulldogs on the Pass
While The Citadel is not at the top of the Southern Conference in overall standings, the Bulldog offense nears the top of the charts in several categories. Holding the No. 2 spot in passing offense, The Citadel ranks only behind Elon with an average of 166.5 yards a game. This second place ranking is a direct result of junior quarterback Duran Lawson's impressive start after returning from an ACL injury that ended his season early last year. Lawson, holding the No. 2 spot in passing average (166.5 yards a game) is also ranked No. 2 in total offense with an average of 204.5 a game. He totals 333 passing and 76 rushing yards in 93 plays for 409 total yards on the season...Elon's passing average is 221.7 in three games, while behind the Bulldogs in the No. 3 spot is Furman with an average of 161.0 yards in three games.
