LEXINGTON, Va. – Freshman wide receiver
Christian Hilton caught a 51-yard touchdown pass from
Graeson Underwood with 3:37 to play to complete the fourth-quarter comeback and give The Citadel a 26-22 victory over VMI in the 2022 edition of the Military Classic of the South.
Game Information
Score: The Citadel 26, VMI 22
Records: The Citadel (4-7, 3-5), VMI (1-10, 0-8)
Location: Foster Stadium (Lexington, Virginia)
Series: The Citadel leads 44-32-2
How it Happened
- VMI got on the board in the first quarter on a 39-yard field goal from Jerry Rice.
- The Citadel answered back with a 16-play drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run from Johnny Crawford III.
- The Bulldogs added to the lead on their next possession with their second one-yard touchdown run, this time from Graeson Underwood.
- The Keydets began their comeback in the third quarter as Korey Bridy scored from six yards out on the opening possession. The two-point conversion failed.
- VMI took the lead less than three minutes later as Seth Morgan hit Chance Knox for a 36-yard touchdown pass. The two-point attempt failed again.
- The lead grew to eight as the Keydets blocked a punt that was scooped up by Elijah Quamily and returned 20 yards for a touchdown.
- The Bulldogs got the offense going again in the fourth quarter as Cooper Wallace got the edge around the right side and raced eight yards for the touchdown. The two-point conversion failed.
- The Citadel scored the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter as Underwood hit Christian Hilton down the seam for a 51-yard touchdown.
Inside the Box Score
- The Citadel secured the Silver Shako for the second-straight year and the 14th time in the past 16 seasons.
- The victory gave the Bulldogs back-to-back victories to end the season for the second-straight year.
- The Bulldog defense came up big at the end as Travon Wallace intercepted a pass in the back of the end zone with one minute remaining to secure the win.
- The defense held VMI to just 89 rushing yards and 321 total yards.
- Hasan Black led the way with eight tackles.
- Brian Horn and Kyler Estes each added seven stops.
- Travon Wallace registered six tackles and his first interception as a Bulldog.
- The Citadel offense finished with 471 yards, including 319 yards on the ground.
- Cooper Wallace led the ground attack with 94 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. He opened the game with a 55-yard run on the first play from scrimmage.
- Peyton Derrick added 71 yards on 17 carries. He also completed 7-of-9 passes for 84 yards.
- Braded Walker added 55 yards on 11 carries and Johnny Crawford III finished with 48 yards and a touchdown. It was Crawford's third-straight game with a one-yard touchdown run.
- Graeson Underwood rushed for 12 yards and a touchdown, while completing both of his pass attempts for 68 yards and a score.
- Tyler Cherry returned to the lineup for the first time since the third week of the season and caught three passes for 55 yards.
- Christian Hilton added two catches for 58 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
Up Next
The Bulldogs shift their focus to the early signing period that begins Dec. 21-23.