Opening Kickoff
With two road games and a bye week, it seems like forever since The Citadel played a football game at Johnson Hagood Stadium.  That stretch ends on Saturday when the Bulldogs host more Bulldogs as the Gardner-Webb variety from Boiling Springs, NC, comes to town for a 6pm showdown. 
 
This is our Military Appreciation Night contest, and we've got lots of activity going on (see below).  This is the first meeting between our Bulldogs and their Runnin' Bulldogs.
 
The Department of Athletics has initiated more fan safety at Johnson Hagood Stadium with the announcement this week that all bags and purses will be subject to search prior to entering the stadium.  Please be advised.
 
In the Capital One Mascot, our very own Spike did extremely well last week as he dismantled Goldy Gopher from Minnesota in the most lopsided victory of the week with a 95%-5% score.  Every vote counts, so help Spike any way you can.
 
As you've come to expect, we have another solid issue full of news and notes, so enjoy and Go Bulldogs!!!
 
Johnson Hagood Stadium Enhances Fan Safety with New Bag Policy
To help provide fans with a safe and secure environment to watch Citadel football games at Johnson Hagood Stadium this season, all bags and purses will be subject to search prior to entering Johnson Hagood Stadium beginning at the Sept. 27 contest against Gardner-Webb.

Fans are advised to start heading to the gates earlier. There will be a line where fans without bags can go through in a quicker fashion, but lines for fans with bags may create slightly longer delays than in the past.

Based on best practices being implemented at other venues around the country, fans with bags of all types will be subject to search prior to entering Johnson Hagood Stadium. All bags, including purses, diaper bags and binocular cases are subject to search. Weapons, outside food and beverage, alcohol and umbrellas are examples of prohibited items that will not be permitted inside the stadium.

A complete list of prohibited items, along with other game day information, can be found in the 2014 Citadel Football Fan Guide at the link below:
http://citadelsports.com/sports/2014/8/15/GEN_FANZONEINFO.aspx.

All bags will be searched before they will be allowed inside the stadium and fans are encouraged to use clear plastic bags - the NFL policy - as much as possible to speed passage through the checkpoints.

By following these guidelines, fans can help ensure a safe and enjoyable atmosphere while cheering on your Bulldogs at the next Citadel football game!
 
Reviewing the Charleston Southern Game
Despite a 120-yard rushing effort by quarterback Aaron Miller, The Citadel was unable to gain the advantage in a 20-18 loss to Charleston Southern on Saturday at CSU Stadium. Miller's 120 yards and 22 carries were both game and career highs for the senior quarterback, who averaged 5.5 yards per carry. The Bulldogs finished with 269 yards on 52 carries.
 
The Citadel, which entered the game without a turnover and as one of the least penalized teams in the country, was troubled by both throughout the contest. Runs of 13, 19, 22 and 24 yards were all negated by personal foul calls as the Bulldogs accumulated seven penalties for 77 yards.
 
The Citadel scored 15 second half points including a one-yard plunge by true freshman Isiaha Smith in the fourth quarter which capped an eight-play, 52-yard drive spanning 4:24. A successful two-point conversion run by Dane Anderson made the score 20-18 with just under nine minutes left to play. Smith finished the game with 36 yards on 10 carries.
 
After two stalled Charleston Southern drives, the Bulldogs found themselves in position to take the lead and marched 43 yards to the 50 before Smith fumbled the ball on a fullback dive with 1:26 left in the game.
 
Senior defensive lineman Justin Oxendine recorded 1.5 sacks, while sophomore linebacker Tevin Floyd made six tackles and assisted on a sack. Senior safety Julian Baxter led the Bulldogs with nine tackles. The loss was the second in as many seasons for the Bulldogs at the hands of their crosstown rival, dropping the Bulldogs to 0-3 for the first time since 2006 and just the 11^th time in the last 100 years.
 
Previewing the Gardner-Webb Game
The Citadel on Saturday takes on its third and final Big South opponent in Gardner-Webb and second first-time foe (Coastal Carolina) this season at Johnson Hagood Stadium.
 
The Cadets are looking for their first win in 2014 and hope to rebound from a heartbreaking 20-18 loss to Charleston Southern on the road last weekend while the Runnin' Bulldogs edged Southern Conference member Wofford last week in a 43-36 battle in Boiling Springs, NC.

Numbers of Interest
Our media relations staff has come up with some interesting numbers on Citadel Football through our first three games:

• 73,340 – The difference in attendances between the Florida State (81,294) and Charleston Southern (7,954) games – yet both were sellouts;
• 266 – Total number of points that The Citadel has scored on Sept. 27, outscoring its opponents 266-151;
• 107 – The number of seasons The Citadel has played football without ever having a game finish with a score of 20-18;
• 18 – Points scored by the Bulldogs in last Saturday's 20-18 loss to Charleston Southern, the first time The Citadel recorded that point total since a 38-18 defeat to Western Carolina in 1993;
• 6 – The number of different players who have scored The Citadel's six touchdowns this season: Rudder Brown, Vinny Miller, Tyler Renew, DeAndre Schoultz, Jake Stenson and Isiaha Smith have each found the end zone once.

 
The Early Football Schedule
Jeff Hartsell of The Post and Courier pointed out that The Citadel's early schedule has been difficult, maybe even more so than it appeared before the season. Coastal Carolina is up to No. 3 in FCS; defending FBS champion Florida State is unbeaten and defeated Clemson even without its star quarterback; and Charleston Southern is 4-0 and cracked the FCS top 25 this week. All told, those three teams are 11-0.
 
The RPI computer at warrenolan.com ranks the Bulldogs' schedule so far as the toughest in the nation in FCS; realtimerpi.com ranks it the third-toughest in Division I, including FBS and FCS.
 
Saturday is Military Appreciation Night
The Citadel is celebrating Military Appreciation Night on Saturday. Game day activities include pregame plaza displays from the Army National Guard, the Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station and The Citadel's Army, Navy and Air Force ROTC programs. Fans are invited to come to the South concourse during the first quarter to have their picture taken with the coveted Silver Shako and write a letter to a soldier serving overseas.
 
At halftime, the Charleston Police Department Pipe and Drums will perform, followed by the designation of The Citadel as a "Purple Heart College" and the singing of "God Bless America" by The Citadel Cadet Chorale.
 
The Bulldogs on September 27
The Bulldogs are 10-3 all time while playing on September 27. Their last contest on this date was in 2008 when The Citadel topped Western Carolina, 34-14, at Johnson Hagood Stadium.
 
The Citadel has outscored its opponents 266-151 on this day while recording four shutouts (1941, 1930, 1924 and 1913).
 
Year Opponent                       Result
2008 Western Carolina           W, 34-14
2003 Appalachian State          W, 24-21
1997 Appalachian State          L, 40-15
1986 Appalachian State          L, 33-10
1980 Chattanooga                   W, 29-13
1975 Wofford                                     W, 16-7
1969 Arkansas State               W, 14-10
1952 Virginia Tech                 L, 14-7
1947 Presbyterian                   W, 13-6
1941 High Point                      W, 45-0
1930 Erskine                           W, 13-0
1924 Southern College           W, 12-0
1913 Charleston Navy            W, 34-0
 
Citadel Participates in Coach to Cure Muscular Dystrophy
This Saturday The Citadel football staff is participating in the American Football Coaches Association's sixth annual Coach to Cure MD. Along with thousands of AFCA members across the country, Mike Houston and his staff will be wearing shoulder patches on the sidelines to increase awareness and raise money to fund research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most prolific lethal genetic disorder of childhood. In the first five years of the program, more than $1 million has been raised through efforts such as these to eradicate this disease.
 
Note This Note about a Sweet Suite at Johnson Hagood Stadium
A suite at Johnson Hagood Stadium has become available on a game-by-game basis. If you and your friends have an interest, please contact Senior Associate Athletics Director John McAleer for information at 843/953-1354 or john.mcaleer@citadel.edu.
 
Spike Crushes Minnesota's Goldy; Extends Win Streak to Three
Week 4 of the 2014 Capital One Mascot Challenge saw The Citadel's "Spike" (3-1) dismantle Goldy Gopher from Minnesota in the most lopsided victory of the week with a 95%-5% score
 
This was Spike's third straight victory in the 12-week contest.  In Week 3, Spike downed Otto the Orange from Syracuse, 65%-35%, after trouncing Sparty from Michigan State 77% - 23% in Week 2.  Week 1 saw Spike narrowly defeated by Georgia Tech's Buzz, 51% - 49%.
 
The national competition features Spike and 15 other NCAA DI football mascots in head-to-head matchups throughout the football season.  Spike is the first Southern Conference mascot to participate and is the sole representative in the FCS. Spike is also featured in his own national commercial for the competition that can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dVBmlKxqI .
 
Spike's matchup for Week 5 is Brutus Buckeye from The Ohio State University.  Week 5's Challenge questions revolve around pets. Week 5 runs through midnight Sunday, Sept. 28.  To learn more about the contest, and to support Spike, visit www.CapitalOneMascots.com .
 
Week 4 Results
Spike (The Citadel) 95%, Goldy Gopher (Minnesota) 5%
Zippy (Akron) 67%, Buster Bronco (Boise State) 33%
Joe Bruin (UCLA) 53%, Buzz (Georgia Tech) 47%
Otto the Orange (Syracuse) 78%, Sparty (Michigan State) 22%
Big Red (Western Kentucky) 59%, Brutus Buckeye (Ohio State) 41%
Cocky (South Carolina) 72%, Cy the Cardinal (Iowa State) 28%
Benny Beaver (Oregon State) 51%, Big Red (Arkansas) 49%
Aubie (Auburn) 87%, Wilma T. Wildcat (Arizona) 13%
 
Standings & Record after Week 4
1. Joe Bruin (UCLA) 4-0
2. Aubie (Auburn) 4-0
3. Benny Beaver (Oregon State) 4-0
4. Cocky (South Carolina) 4-0
5. Zippy (Akron) 3-1
6. Buzz (Georgia Tech) 3-1
7. Spike (The Citadel) 3-1
8. Big Red (Western Kentucky) 3-1
9. Otto the Orange (Syracuse) 2-2
10. Big Red (Arkansas) 1-3
11. Buster Bronco (Boise State) 1-3
12. Cy the Cardinal (Iowa State) 0-4
13. Sparty (Michigan State) 0-4
14. Wilma T. Wildcat (Arizona) 0-4
15. Goldy Gopher (Minnesota) 0-4
16. Brutus Buckeye (Ohio State) 0-4
 
Soccer Falls to College of Charleston, 2-1
ON SUNDAY AT WLI FIELD, College of Charleston scored twice in the second half to overcome a penalty shot goal by Vanessa Aponte in the first half, giving the Cougars a 2-1 victory over The Citadel.

Aponte put the Bulldogs on the board first in the 14th minute when she converted her second penalty shot attempt of the season. The goal was her fourth of the year and 20th of her career.

Despite allowing the Aponte goal, the Cougars controlled play for most of the first half, taking 12 shots to six for the Bulldogs. But Citadel goalkeeper Naomi Carter made eight saves during the opening 45 minutes to keep it a 1-0 game at halftime.

College of Charleston kept the pressure on in the second half and it paid off in the tying goal 10 minutes into the period when a Cougar headed in a corner kick. The game stayed even until the game-winning goal.

For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
 
Kernodle Earns All-Tournament in Volleyball despite Setback to USC
ON SATURDAY IN COLUMBIA, the South Carolina Gamecocks completed a 3-0 (25-14, 25-13 and 25-20) victory over The Citadel at the Carolina Classic.
 
The Gamecocks posted a .404 attack percentage in the match, driving home 43 kills while committing just seven errors. Defensively, South Carolina also converted 48 digs.
 
The Citadel was paced offensively by Bailey Kernodle (11 kills) and Samantha Espy (eight). Kernodle's weekend, which included 32 kills, 21 digs, two service aces and a .207 attack percentage, earned her all-tournament honors for the second time in as many weeks. Ise d'Angelo was the bright spot on defense with a team-high eight digs.
 
The Bulldogs held tight with South Carolina early in the first set, using three Kernodle kills to force an eventual 10-all tie. The Gamecocks answered with a 10-3 run, highlighted by six kills as they assumed a 20-13 lead. A late Citadel timeout was not enough to deter the South Carolina offense, which completed the 11-point victory.
 
ON FRIDAY IN COLUMBIA, The Citadel earned a split in the first day of action at the Carolina Classic following a 3-1, four-set victory (25-19, 25-19, 20-25 and 25-23) over Norfolk State. The Bulldogs avenged an earlier setback to Eastern Kentucky, who earned a 3-0 sweep by scores of 25-17, 25-17 and 25-11.

Against Norfolk State, Kernodle was the bright spot with 15 kills and 11 digs as she notched her third double-double of the season. D'Angelo was also a major contributor with nine kills and seven digs.

Rachel Keefer piloted The Citadel's offense with 37 assists, while Lauren Hurt and Dominique Williams were responsible for six assisted blocks apiece. Those blocks helped Hurt become the all-time assisted blocks leader (207), surpassing Jessica Maas and Jessica Maxwell, and total blocks leader (294), previously a mark held by Lindsey Hodge, in program history.

The Citadel battled through eight ties in its first 15 points before assuming a 17-15 lead on a series of unforced Norfolk State errors. The lead eventually reached seven points, with Samantha Espy in serve, as the Bulldogs took the opening set following a series of late kills by d'Angelo.

AGAINST EASTERN KENTUCKY ON FRIDAY, the Colonels used a balanced offensive attack to earn a 3-0 victory over The Citadel. Kernodle and Williams led the Cadets with six kills, respectively. On defense, Hurt continued to climb up the Bulldogs' all-time list of career solo blocks as she recorded her eighth of the season, which placed her five shy of Lindsey Hodge for third place on the all-time list.

In the first set, Eastern Kentucky stretched a two-point lead to 12-6 with a series of service aces. The Citadel responded with a 6-3 run, including three kills by Kernodle, trimming the margin to 15-12. The Colonels allowed just five Bulldog points down the stretch and used four kills to complete the win.

For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.
 
Wrestling Unveils 2014-15 Schedule
Wrestling Coach Rob Hjerling has announced the team's 2014-15 schedule that features hosting five dual matches, along with the annual Citadel Open, and participating in several of the most competitive tournaments in the country.

For the second straight season, The Citadel opens the dual season at home against Anderson. The match, slated for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16, will be in conjunction with Hall of Fame weekend. The Citadel's first wrestling All-American, Dan "Buddy" Thompson '06, will be inducted at the Hall of Fame Ceremony on the preceding Friday.

The season will once again commence with the annual Blue/White Wrestle-offs in Vandiver Hall on Oct. 24-25. The following week, the Bulldogs will compete at The Citadel Open in McAlister Field House. On Nov. 9, the varsity lineup will head to Blacksburg, Va., to compete in the Hokie Open for the fifth consecutive year.

On Nov. 23 the Bulldogs begin a nationwide tour of some of the most competitive open invitationals in collegiate wrestling when they head to Annapolis, Md., for the Navy Classic. Redshirt senior Joaquin Marquez took third place at 125 and Marshall Haas finished in sixth at 197 in that meet a year ago.

For the second consecutive year, The Citadel treks to Las Vegas on Dec. 5-6 for the Cliff Keen Invitational which will include more than 40 of the country's top wrestling programs before closing out 2014 in a home dual against Campbell on Dec. 20 at 2 p.m.

The 2015 portion of the schedule begins in Chattanooga, Tenn., for perhaps the most competitive tournament of the season, The Southern Scuffle. Following the Southern Scuffle the team will travel to Hampton Roads, Va., for the always competitive and nationally-touted Virginia Duals.

Home matches against Gardner-Webb on Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. and SIUE on Jan. 30 at 2 p.m., are sandwiched between two important road duals against league foes Appalachian State and Chattanooga on Jan. 18 and Jan. 23, respectively.

The Bulldogs have beaten the Mountaineers in each of the last two years but look to top the five-time conference champion Mocs for the first time since 2004. Chattanooga handed The Citadel its only SoCon loss last season as the Bulldogs finished 11-3 overall and 6-1 in the league. An away match in Lexington, Va., against military rival VMI on Feb. 4 and a home dual against Davidson on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m., rounds out the league slate.

On Feb. 7, the Bulldogs take a trip to The United States Merchant Marine Academy in Great Neck, NY, for the 21st-annnual All-Academy Championships. The Citadel closes out the regular season with a dual match against North Carolina on Feb. 22. The Citadel edged the Tar Heels, 19-18, last season at McAlister Field House on a day which future All-American Turtogtokh Luvsandorj broke the school's all-time wins record.

The 2014 SoCon Championship will be held in Asheville, NC, on Mar. 7. The Bulldogs took second place last season with 78.5 points, crowning three champions including returning grapplers Aaron Walker (157) and Marshall Haas (197).

The NCAA Championships will be held in St. Louis, Mo., from Mar. 19-21. The Bulldogs return three of their five competitors from last year's national tournament (Walker, Haas and Matt Frisch).
 
They Said It
"Jake is one of those guys who is a really, really good football player who maybe doesn't exactly fit the mold. But he's been very productive every chance he's had this year. He can run, catch, block ... I lined him up last week and he kicked a 20-yard field goal in practice, so he's just overall a pretty good athlete."
 

• Coach Mike Houston, on slotback Jake Stenson.

 
"We made too many mistakes. To beat a good team, you can't have that many penalties and that many mistakes."
 

• Quarterback Aaron Miller, after the Charleston Southern game.

 
"Today was a tough loss; we played well during the first half. We will build on this game and continue to play as a team. Our team spirit and ability to learn will help us tremendously as we enter the SoCon part of our season."
 

• Senior co-captain Karina Schneider, after the CofC soccer game.

 
"First three-game losing streak of my career - high school, college, anywhere. It's tough. But at the same time, our players and coaches can see the improvement on film, even though we don't have that win yet. We've played three pretty good teams."
 

• Coach Houston.

 
Upcoming Birthdays
Sept. 28           Lt Gen John Rosa                   President
Oct. 5              Maurice Drayton                     Football
Oct. 12                        Steven Barker                         Sports Medicine
Oct. 13                        Rob Burke                               Basketball
Oct. 14                        Fred Jordan                             Baseball
Oct. 20                        Blake Harrell                           Football
 
Upcoming Events
Sept. 25           33^rd Memorial Fund Banquet              Holliday Alumni Center
Oct. 10                        TCBF Board Meeting                         Holliday Alumni Center
Nov. 14           37^th Annual Hall of Fame Banquet     Holliday Alumni Center
Jan. 16             TCBF Board Meeting                         Holliday Alumni Center
Feb. 7              Alumni Basketball Game                    McAlister Field House
Mar. 14            27^th Annual TCBF Annual Auction    McAlister Field House
 
Keep Up With Citadel Athletics
For the latest on all athletic events and giveaways, visit the official Facebook and Twitter accounts of The Citadel Athletics at www.facebook.com/citadelbulldogs and at www.twitter.com/citadelsports.  Also, the baseball and football teams now have their own Twitter accounts at www.twitter.com/citadelbaseball and www.twitter.com/citadelfootball.  Follow them today!
 
Have a Friend Who Might Be Interested?
Today's Blue & White is the sister publication of the The Blue & White, the official publication of The Citadel Brigadier Foundation that is printed quarterly.  In order to receive the printed version, one has to be a member of TCBF.  However, we've opened Today's Blue & White to anyone and everyone who has a computer and who is interested in activities of TCBF and, of course, The Citadel's Department of Athletics.  Today's Blue & White is free.  All one has to do is sign up is to click on this link:  http://www.citadelsports.com/subscribe.aspx.
 
Today's Blue & White is the official electronic publication of The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, Inc. with its office located at The Citadel, McAlister Field House, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC  29409 (office 843/953-5277).
Publishers ……………..Jim Senter & Jerry Baker
Editor ………...………Andy Solomon
Layout/Distribution…...Brian Gargone