Box Score (PDF) | Notes (PDF) | Quotes (PDF)

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel football team surged past VMI 35-14 on Saturday afternoon at Johnson Hagood Stadium, clinching its sixth win in SoCon play for the second time in program history. Redshirt freshman Quinlan Washington recorded his first two career interceptions and returned one for a pick six as the Bulldogs celebrated Homecoming and Senior Day with a victory over the Keydets.
 
Sophomore Cam Jackson rushed for 100 yards on 12 carries to lead the Bulldogs, marking the second consecutive week he has racked up at least 100 yards on the ground. Defensively, The Citadel forced a season-high six turnovers as Washington added a forced fumble and Malik Diggs and Tevin Floyd secured an interception each. Floyd also returned his pick to pay dirt for the Bulldogs' second defensive score of the contest in the waning moments of the game.
 
Additionally, head coach Mike Houston's stout defense collected three sacks to counter VMI's high-flying passing attack. Senior Mitchell Jeter picked up one sack and now has 19.5 total tackles for loss in his career, trailing only Michael Ballentine's 21.5 on The Citadel's all-time list.
 
The Bulldogs wasted no time racing out to a lead by scoring on their first possession. Jackson took a first-down run 68 yards to the endzone for his fourth rushing touchdown of the season. On the ensuing VMI possession, Washington pushed The Citadel ahead 14-0 with his 72-yard interception return.
 
VMI managed to close the gap to 20-14 early in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs scored 15 unanswered points to finish off the victory. Junior placekicker Eric Goins drilled five field goals on five attempts, setting a new school record for most made fields goals in a game, which was previously held by Justin Skinner against Marshall in 1996.
 
On the heels of Goins' five field goals, The Citadel held a 29-14 lead and the defense prevented VMI from getting on the scoreboard again. Floyd's interception return for a touchdown with seven seconds left capped off the Bulldogs' 39th win over the Keydets in front of 14,925 fans, which was the biggest crowd at Johnson Hagood Stadium since Nov. 7, 2009.
 
The Bulldogs now turn to a heavyweight battle with No. 3 Chattanooga next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. and the game will be streamed on SoCon Digital Network.
 
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