GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Citadel football team defeated Furman 38-17 on Saturday afternoon in Greenville, South Carolina. With the win, the Bulldogs are now 4-0 in the SoCon for the first time since 1979 and just the fourth time in program history.
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On its first possession of the game, Furman took a 7-0 lead after a successful 20-yard touchdown pass with 10:27 remaining in the first quarter.
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The Citadel would answer with a touchdown three minutes later after
Cam Jackson broke a 34-yard run to make it 7-7 with 7:31 left in the first quarter. After the Bulldog defense forced the Paladins to punt, The Citadel would get the ball on the 46-yard line with a little over six minutes left in the first quarter. The Bulldogs would run eight plays and make it to the 11-yard line before
Dominique Allen's pass was tipped up and intercepted in the end zone. Furman would only gain seven yards in the ensuing drive and the first quarter would end in a 7-7 tie.
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The Citadel wasted no time in the second quarter as Allen found the end zone from one yard out to put the Bulldogs on top 14-7. The score was a result of seven-play, 54-yard drive. On their next possession, the Bulldogs added to their lead after
Brandon Eakins took it to the house on a 35-yard run with 6:10 remaining in the second quarter. The score was Eakins' first rushing touchdown of his career.
Eric Goins would tack on a field goal with two seconds left in the half to give The Citadel a 24-7 lead heading into the half.
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Furman would score on the opening drive of the third quarter and then add a field goal on its next possession to close the gap to 24-17 but The Citadel would quickly answer with its next drive. After a 50-yard completion from Allen to
Reggie Williams the Bulldogs would line up at the 1-yard line and Allen would punch it again for his second rushing touchdown on the day, giving The Citadel a 31-17 advantage. That's how the score would remain heading into the fourth quarter.
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Both teams would trade punts until the fourth drive of the quarter when
Tevin Floyd snagged his second interception of the season and returned it 29 yards to the Furman 25-yard line. Three plays later, Jackson would get his second score of the day, rushing for 11 yards and putting the Bulldogs back in firm control of the game with a 38-17 lead.
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On the Paladins' final drive of the game,
James Riley sealed the deal with after picking the ball off with 1:11 left on the clock and gave The Citadel its fifth win this season. The Citadel is now 10-0 under head coach
Mike Houston when scoring at least 21 points.
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The Bulldogs returns to Johnson Hagood Stadium next Saturday when they take on Mercer at 2 p.m. For tickets, visit CitadelSports.com/tickets or call 843-953-DOGS (3647).
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For more information on The Citadel football, follow
@CitadelFootball or visit CitadelSports.com.