Cullowhee, N.C. - The Citadel gave up a first half 10-0 lead to drop another Southern Conference loss to Western Carolina, 14-10, on Saturday in Cullowhee, N.C. The homecoming Catamount victory was the first win for WCU this season as the Bulldogs drop to 0-3 in the SoCon.
Western Carolina won the toss and deferred until the second half, marking the fourth consecutive game this season the Bulldogs received the ball first. Starting out on their 15-yard line, The Citadel recorded their first first down of the game on the opening play when Bart Blanchard found Andre Roberts for a 17-yard pass to the 32-yard line. However, the Bulldogs were unable to convert the drive into a score and punted the ball to the Catamounts.
Western Carolina started their first drive of the game on the Catamount 35-yard line. Running back Michael Johnson recorded two solid runs for WCU, totaling 32 yards, but a sack by Bulldog Terrence Reese for a loss of nine yards, brought up third-and-13. WCU was unable to convert the first down and brought out their punt unit.
The Citadel was unable score on the next possession and was forced to punt. Cass Couey fumbled the snap and fell on the ball to force a turnover on downs for the Bullodgs; however, a late hit by WCU caused an unnecessary roughness penalty on the Catamounts, setting them back 15 yards to the Bulldog 43-yard line. Western Carolina was still unable to score and The Citadel got the ball back.
The Bulldogs converted their first third down since their overtime loss against Appalachian State on the next drive when quarterback Miguel Starks found Roberts for a 22-yard gain for first-and-10 on the WCU 34-yard line. Four plays later a six-yard run by Terrell Dallas brought up first-and-goal on the four-yard line, but a couple of rushes for a loss brought out the Bulldog field goal unit as the first quarter came to an end. Moving to the north end zone, Keeler attempted a 32-yard field goal that was good, putting the Bulldogs up, 3-0, with 14:54 on the clock.
Neither team was able to score again until late in the second quarter. A dropped snap by WCU punter Blake Cain resulted in a 13-yard loss and turnover on downs at the WCU 25-yard line with 51 seconds left on the clock. On the first play of the next drive, Blanchard found running back Van Dyke Jones for a 23-yard pass to the Western Carolina two-yard line for first-and-goal. Jones rushed for a loss of one yard on the next play, but Blanchard immediately found Roberts for the three-yard touchdown pass with 18 seconds left in the half. The Citadel went into the locker room leading, 10-0.
The Citadel totaled 133 yards of offense to WCU's 105 in the first half. Blanchard completed 7-of-8 for 85 yards and one touchdown, while Starks completed 6-of-7 passes for 27 yards. Roberts recorded seven catches for 78 yards, while Dewitt Jones tallied three solo tackles, one for a loss, to lead the Bulldog defense.
Western Carolina received the ball to open the second half but went three-and-out on the drive. The Citadel got the ball back on the WCU 43-yard line and drove the ball to the 26-yard line. Unable to get the first down, Keeler attempted a 41-yard field goal that was wide left with 8:26 left in the third.
Western Carolina took advantage of the missed opportunity on the next play and drove the ball 74 yards in eight plays, capped off with a one-yard touchdown run with 4:32 left in the quarter. The Catamounts were within a field goal with the score at 10-7.
On the next Bulldog drive, a couple of first downs again brought The Citadel in scoring territory, this time on the WCU 25-yard line. Again unable to get the first down, Keeler attempted another 41-yard field goal that was short with 1:57 left in the third.
The Catamounts then took the lead for the first time this season when they moved the ball 75 yards in 13 plays, ending with a five-yard touchdown run by Dion Wilson at 10:30 left in the game. WCU went up, 14-10.
The Citadel had two more possessions with opportunities to score. The first they drove the ball 44 yards in 14 plays to the WCU 37-yard line but turned the ball over on downs on fourth-and-18. The second and last attempt the Bulldogs got the ball back on the Catamount 34-yard line with 1:12 left in the game. The Citadel got to the 15-yard line but was unable to come up with the score. Western Carolina earned their first win of the season, 14-10.
The Bulldogs totaled 256 yards of offense. They rushed for 91 yards and totaled 165 passing yards. Starks finished the game 12-of-19 with no interceptions and 71 yards, while Blanchard completed 9-of-11 passes with no interceptions, 94 yards and one touchdown. Roberts caught nine passes for 78 yards and one touchdown and Dallas finished with nine carries for 47 yards rushing. Demetrius Jackson led the Bulldog defensive effort with seven total tackles. Reese totaled six tackles, with two sacks for a loss of 13 yards.
The Citadel (2-4 overall, 0-3 SoCon) will return to Johnson Hagood Stadium to take on Furman for Parents Day on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. For more information on Bulldog Football, visit the official website of The Citadel Athletics at www.CitadelSports.com.
