CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel scored 28 unanswered points, including two touchdowns in eight seconds, to pull away from Western Carolina for a 35-17 victory Saturday afternoon at Johnson Hagood Stadium.
Game Information
Score: The Citadel 35, Western Carolina 17
Records: The Citadel (3-4, 1-2 SoCon), Western Carolina (1-5, 0-3 SoCon)
Location: Johnson Hagood Stadium (Charleston, South Carolina)
Series: CIT leads 26-17-1
How it Happened
- WCU took their only lead of the game on the opening drive as the 11-play drive was capped by a 32-yard field goal from Julian Pletz.
- The Bulldogs answered back on their opening series with a 10-play drive that ended with Brandon Rainey scoring from one-yard out.
- Nine of the 10 plays came on the ground, with the biggest play being a 19-yard run from Remus Bulmer.
- After forcing a punt, the Bulldog offense got rolling again as Bulmer broke off a 24-yard run and followed it up with a 17-yard touchdown reception.
- Rainey got the offense moving again in the second quarter as he got free over the left side for a 30-yard gain. The 11-play drive ended with Rainey scoring his second rushing touchdown from one-yard out.
- A personal foul penalty on the touchdown meant the Bulldogs would kick off from midfield.
- The Citadel took advantage and went with the middle onside kick that was recovered by Jacob Godek.
- On the next play, Rainey hit Raleigh Webb on the post route for a 39-yard touchdown.
- The two touchdowns came just eight seconds apart.
- WCU would get a four-yard touchdown run from Tyrie Adams late in the first half to end the run.
- The Catamounts would score the only points in the third quarter on an Adams three-yard touchdown pass to Jaylin Young.
- The Bulldogs got back in the end zone in the fourth quarter as they got into the red-zone on nine-straight running plays.
- The 10th play of the drive was the second 17-yard scoring strike from Rainey to Bulmer.
Inside the Numbers
- The Bulldogs rushed for a season-high 339 yards on just 56 attempts, an average of 6.1 yards per carry.
- Clay Harris led the attack with 154 yards on 24 carries. It was the second career 100-yard rushing performance. Last season, Harris rushed for 126 yards at Western Carolina.
- Quarterback Brandon Rainey rushed for 87 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. He was also 3-for-5 for 73 yards and a career-high three touchdowns.
- The three passing touchdowns are the most since Jordan Black threw for three scores against Presbyterian in 2017.
- It was the second time this season Rainey has accounted for five touchdowns in a game. He rushed for three touchdowns and threw for two scores at Samford.
- Rainey has now rushed for a touchdown and thrown for another in five of the six games he has played this season. He has down it in six of the last seven dating back to last year.
- Raleigh Webb caught his seventh touchdown of the season. It is the most receiving touchdowns since Scooter Johnson caught seven TD passes in 2003.
- The Bulldog defense recorded six sacks, with all six coming on the Catamounts final drive.
- Joseph Randolph II was credited with two sacks, while Marquise Blount added 1.5.
- The defense forced three turnovers in the second half. Willie Eubanks III forced a fumble in the third quarter, while Destin Mack and Jay Howard intercepted passes in the fourth quarter.
Up Next
The Bulldogs hit the road to face No. 11 Furman on Oct. 19. Kickoff is set for 1p .m.
