Box Score (PDF) | Post-Game Notes (PDF)

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The 9th-ranked Citadel football team improved to 4-0 for the fifth time in program history on Saturday afternoon, defeating Western Carolina 37-14. Head coach Brent Thompson is now the second head coach in The Citadel history to begin his career 4-0 and second coach to win his first three Southern Conference games.

The Bulldogs struck first in the game with 2:49 left in the first quarter as Rod Johnson scored on a 31-yard touchdown run to put the Bulldogs (4-0, 3-0 SoCon) on top 7-0. Johnson added to The Citadel's lead with 10:50 left in the second quarter, scoring his second touchdown of the day from 3-yards out. The drive was set up by an interception by Malik Diggs on Western Carolina's (1-3, 0-2 SoCon) first drive of the second quarter.

Four minutes later, Jordan Black and Rudder Brown connected on a 5-yard pass to make it a 20-0 game after the Bulldogs' two-point conversion failed. The Citadel continued to pour it on in the second quarter after Cam Jackson and Tyler Renew hooked up for a 75-yard touchdown with 3:11 left in the half. The five-play, 90-yard drive gave the Bulldogs a 27-0 lead.

In the second half, The Citadel wasted no time and scored on its first possession of the third quarter on a 15-yard touchdown rush by Johnson to make it 34-0. The score was the third of the day for Johnson, marking the first multi-touchdown game of the sophomore's career.

The Catamounts' first touchdown of the day came with 1:36 remaining in the third quarter after punching it in from seven yards out to make it a 34-7 game. Western Carolina scored again with 11:43 left in the fourth quarter to cut into the Bulldogs 34-14 lead.

Kicker Cody Clark put the game away for the Bulldogs with 4:32 left in the game, nailing a 33-yard field goal to push the lead to 37-14.

The Citadel defense dominated the day, allowing only 122 total yards and just 31 yards on the ground and not allowing a single third-down conversion. The Catamounts were 0-for-8 on third down, and the Bulldogs made seven sacks and forced three turnovers. At the end of the first half, the Bulldogs had allowed 21 total yards and -18 yards rushing.

The Citadel ran 94 plays, breaking the school record for plays in regulation, and ended the game with a 43:10-16:50 edge in time of possession. Reggie Williams finished with 133 yards in the contest, bettering his career-high rushing total for the second time in as many game after the junior rushed for 112 against Gardner-Webb.

Joe Crochet recorded two fumble recoveries, one coming on his own strip-sack, and finished the day with four tackles. Ken Allen and Diggs tied for the team lead with five tackles. Allen added a career-high 2.5 sacks and Diggs grabbed the fifth interception of his career.

The Bulldogs return to Johnson Hagood Stadium to host North Greenville on Oct. 8 for Parents Day. Kickoff for the non-conference game is set for 2 pm. For tickets, visit CitadelSports.com/tickets or call 843-953-DOGS (3647).

For more information on The Citadel football, follow @CitadelFootball or visit CitadelSports.com.