Football 8/30/2018 9:43:00 AM

Game Day Central: at Wofford

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RV/NR The Citadel (0-0, 0-0 SoCon)
at #10/11 Wofford (0-0, 0-0 SoCon)
Sept. 1 - 6 p.m.
Gibbs Stadium - Spartanburg, South Carolina

Stadium	Gibbs Stadium
Capacity	13,000
Surface	Natural Grass
Kickoff	6 p.m.
TV	ESPN
	Jason Patterson (PxP) and Toby Cates (Analyst)
Radio	WQNT (92.1 FM / 102.1 FM / 1450 AM
	Luke Mauro (PxP), Cal McCombs (Analyst) and Jay Harper (sideline)
Internet	CitadelSports.com
Series Record	Citadel leads 42-28-1

Inside The Numbers
600 - The Citadel will travel nearly 600 cadets to the season opener at Wofford.
294.6 - The Bulldogs ranked second in the FCS in rushing yards per game in 2017. It marked the second-straight season the 'Dogs ranked in the top two in rushing.
59 -The Bulldogs are looking for their 59th victory in the season opener. The Citadel has won each of its last three season openers.
9 -The Bulldogs return nine starters on the offensive line. All five players combined to start all 11 games a season ago.
5 - Saturday's game marks the fifth time the Bulldogs will play a game on Sept. 1. The Citadel is 3-1 in the previous four games, including 3-0 against FCS opponents.
4 - Three of the last five games in the series have been decided by four points or less. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs are just 1-2 in those games. The lone victory for The Citadel was a 24-21 overtime victory in the last trip to Spartanburg in 2016.

On This Date
In 2016, Cody Clark kicked a 35-yard field goal with 2:20 left to play to give the Bulldogs a 24-23 victory over Mercer in the season opener. The Citadel struck quickly in the game and opened a 21-3 lead in the first quarter before the Bears scored 20-straight points to take the lead in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs responded to losing the lead with a 15-play drive that took 7:09 off the clock and resulted in game-winning field goal.

The Game
The Bulldogs open the 2018 season as they travel to face No. 10 Wofford on Sept. 1. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

Radio Coverage
All games this season can be hear live on 92.1-FM/102.1-FM/1450-AM in the Charleston. The new voice of the Bulldogs, Luke Mauro, will be joined by Cal McCombs in the booth and Jay Harper on the sideline.

ESPN
Saturday's game will be the first of seven games that will be broadcast on ESPN this season. ESPN is a paid subscription this $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year.

Saturday Weather
The forecast is calling scattered showers throughout the day and a high near 85 degrees in Spartanburg.

vs. Wofford
The Bulldogs and Terriers are meeting for the 72nd time on the gridiron with The Citadel holding a 42-28-1 lead in the all-time series. The Bulldogs won their last meeting in Spartanburg, but had come away on the short end in the previous eight trips.

Battle for the Big Dog Trophy
Saturday's game is the battle for the Big Dog Trophy. The winner of the contest will hold claim to the trophy until the game the following year.

Last Visit to Spartanburg
The Bulldogs overcame an early 13-0 deficit to rally for a 24-21 overtime victory in 2016. The Citadel trailed by seven with just under six minutes to play when Kailik Williams intercepted a pitch and returned it 13 yards for the tying score. Cody Clark gave the Bulldogs the win with a 21-yard field goal.

Season Openers
The Citadel enters the season looking to improve on its record of 58-48-3 in season openers. The Bulldogs have won three-straight openers.

Opening on the Road
The Bulldogs are opening the season on the road for the second time in the past three seasons. In 2016, The Citadel opened the season with a 24-23 victory at Mercer.

Opening in Conference Play
The Citadel opens the season with a Southern Conference game on the road for the second time in the last three seasons. The Bulldogs also opened the 2016 season with a conference game, a 24-23 victory at Mercer.

Two-Straight Conference Games to Start
Just like in 2016, the Bulldogs will open the season with two-straight Southern Conference games. The Citadel opened that season with a win at Mercer (24-23) and a 19-14 victory over Furman in the home opener.

Thompson in Season Openers
Head Coach Brent Thompson is 2-0 in season openers. He began his tenure with a 24-23 victory over Mercer before starting the 2017 season with a 31-14 victory over Newberry.

Close Games
The Bulldogs and Terriers have played some close games as of late as four of the last seven contests have been decided by four points or loss.

Traveling Corps of Cadets
Nearly 600 members of the corps of cadets will make the short trip over to Spartanburg for the 2018 season opener.

Spann Going Home
Senior Aron Spann, III is returning home in the opener as the defensive back will be playing in his hometown to start the season.

Up Next
The Bulldogs open their home season as they welcome Chattanooga to Johnson Hagood Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

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