Bulldogs Drop Hard-Fought Battle Against Top-Ranked Florida State

Saturday, September 6

Tallahassee, FL

7:30 pm

The Citadel

0-2

Florida State

2-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
The Citadel	0	0	0	12	12
Florida State	14	14	6	3	37

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Rudder Brown hauls in touchdown pass against Florida State

Bulldogs Drop Hard-Fought Battle Against Top-Ranked Florida State

9/6/2014 11:47:00 PM | Football

Box Score

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. – The Citadel outscored top-ranked Florida State 12-9 in the second half, notching two touchdowns through air, but the Seminoles came out on top 37-12 on Saturday evening at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Bulldog offense converted at least one first down on each of their nine possessions and closed out their second straight game without a turnover. The Citadel offense posted 322 total yards to Florida State's 494 and controlled the time possession 33:35-26:25.

Aaron Miller led way in the rushing game, gaining 61 yards on 14 carries. Jake Stenson, who entered the game averaging 12 yards per carry, continued to gain yardage in large chunks as the redshirt senior had 45 yards on just five carries.

The Bulldogs dropped to 0-2 on the season while Florida State will likely remain the top FBS team in the country with a 2-0 mark. Both teams have next weekend off. The Citadel returns to action on Sept. 20 when it looks to avenge a 32-29 loss to Charleston Southern from a season ago, while Florida State opens conference play against Clemson.

Despite a 28-point deficit at halftime, the Bulldogs battled for the final 30 minutes, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns on scoring passes from Miller and true freshman Dominique Allen.

The Citadel received the ball to start the final period at its own 24 after a Seminole punt and marched 76 yards on 10 plays over 4:36. The drive was capped by a 10-yard pass from Miller to Rudder Brown, marking Brown's first career touchdown reception the fourth of Miller's career.

Miller finished the game 3-of-11 with 46 yards through the air.

Florida State followed up the drive with 14-play, 58-yard drive that was stymied by the stingy second-half Bulldog defense that allowed just 65 yards in the fourth quarter, and the Seminoles were forced to kick a field goal.

Allen entered the game for the final drive, and was one of seven true freshmen who saw game action on Saturday.

Allen marched the Bulldogs 75 yards down the field on 2-of-2 passing and capped the drive with a 10-yard pass to DeAndre Schoultz for the final score of the game. The catch was Schoultz's first of his career.

On the defensive side, linemen Jonathan King and Travis Johnson saw ample playing time, while Shy Phillips, Josh Massey and Israel Battle played in the secondary.
B-back Isiaha Smith carried the ball six times for 37 yards in his first collegiate game, while redshirt freshman quarterback turned slot back Cam Jackson had 39 yards on five rushes.

After converting two first downs to open the game, including a 23-yard scamper by Stenson, the Bulldogs fell short on a 4th-and-1 dive by Renew and handed the ball over to the Seminoles at their own 41.

The Seminoles drove 59 yards in six plays spanning 2:30 before Karlos Williams scored the game's first points on a one-yard plunge.

Vinny Miller took control of the Bulldogs' second drive, an eight-play, 33-yard sequence which included three Miller rushes for 22 yards and three first downs.

Florida State scored touchdowns on their following three drives of the first half, largely due to reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, who completed 16-of-17 first-half passes for 150 yards and two scores during the opening 30 minutes.

Winston, who was relieved of his duties in the third quarter, finished the game 22-of-27 with 256 yards and two scores.

Nick Willis led all tacklers with nine, while Tallahassee native Tevin Floyd made six stops including 1.5 tackles for loss.

The Bulldogs outrushed the Seminoles 250-210 and converted 21 first downs, including 11-of-17 on third down.