CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel Bulldogs return home on Saturday after five weeks away from the friendly Charleston surroundings of Johnson Hagood Stadium. The Bulldogs host Mercer in Southern Conference action. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.
GAMEDAY LINKS
Date/Time: Oct. 7, 2017 / 2 p.m.
Location/Stadium: Johnson Hagood Stadium / Charleston, S.C.
Live Video: ESPN3 WATCH LIVE
The Citadel Sports Network (Mike Legg & Lee Glaze): LISTEN LIVE
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During the five weeks away from home, the Bulldogs had a home game moved to Presbyterian by Hurricane Irma, won the program's 500
th game (ETSU on Sept. 16), and, last week, lost for the first time in SoCon regular season play since November of 2015.
The lack of routine for the Bulldogs – and Cadets – might have impacted the slow start in last week's 35-14 loss at Samford. The Citadel fell behind early and couldn't catch up in the loss, but this week has been back on rhythm and routine for the Bulldogs. High-energy practices in the middle of the week and a stretch of four games at home in five weeks have Head Coach
Brent Thompson and the Bulldogs settling in for the season's stretch run.
"It'll be good just to be back at home, but it's been good to have a normal week with no travel or changes to our schedule," Thompson said. "I thought Tuesday's practice was really sharp and energetic after coming out flat on Saturday. We've been hit in the mouth now, and have to respond by coming out ready to play physical Citadel football from the opening snap."
The series history between the Bears and Bulldogs – the last three years, not the games from the first half of the 1900's – says that Saturday's game will be tight until the final horn. The Bulldogs have won the last three meetings with Mercer but only by a total of five points, including a late field goal in last season's opener to jumpstart The Citadel's historic SoCon run.
Sophomore quarterback
Jordan Black sparked The Citadel off the bench at Samford with 136 yards passing and a 30-yard run in the fourth quarter. He and senior
Dom Allen will both play Saturday as Thompson's offense continues with a two-QB attack. Wide receiver
Josh LeBlanc is beginning to break out for the Bulldogs. The sophomore has had over 70 yards receiving and three receptions in each of the last two games.
The Bulldogs enter Saturday's contest the No. 2 rushing offense in the nation at 333 yards per game. Five ball carriers have over 200 yards each this season.
Defensively, the Bulldogs are 14
th nationally with seven interceptions in only four games and lead the SoCon in scoring defense and rushing defense. The defensive front of nose tackle
Ken Allen, tackle
Jonathan King, and defensive end
Ja'Lon Williams have made things tough between the tackles on opponents to-date, allowing only 3.5 yards per carry and less than 90 yards per game on the ground.
Mercer has had a season of "what-ifs early in 2017. The Bears saw a late lead slip away in a big to upset now-No. 5 Wofford in Week 2, then played FBS-ranked Auburn tough the following week in a 24-10 loss. An overtime loss at ETSU two weeks ago and the Bears could be 4-1.
Mercer has balanced offensive attack behind freshman QB
Kaelen Riley, averaging over 370 yards per game of total offense, but points and possessions will be at a premium on Saturday. The Bears feature the top scoring defense in the SoCon at less than 20 points per game. The Citadel and Wofford (20.2 ppg) sit just behind the Bears in the category.
HONORING JETER – The Bulldogs will wear decals on their helmets with the number 62 in honor of former teammate Mitchell Jeter, who was killed in a car accident on Sept. 9.
PARENTS WEEKEND - It's Parents Weekend at The Citadel and 20 cadet-athlete senior member of The Citadel football team will receive their rings in a ceremony at McAlister Field House on Friday afternoon.
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