CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Fueled by a commanding defensive effort throughout as well as a resurgent second-half offensive performance, The Citadel (4-5, 2-4 SoCon) overpowered visiting SoCon adversary Samford (3-4, 2-2 SoCon) en route to the program's first win in the Bulldog-on-Bulldog clash since 2018, clinching the key conference victory by a decisive 28-11 mark Saturday afternoon at Sansom Field at Johnson Hagood Stadium.

KEY NOTES
-- Johnathan Bennett finished the matchup 11-for-18 for 184 yards through the air; the graduate transfer also paced the Bulldogs on the ground, racking up 63 yards on 12 carries with one touchdown
-- Outside of Bennett, Garrison Johnson impressed with two scores behind 39 yards via 11 rushes; Cooper Wallace tallied 38 yards off nine carries as well while Johnny Crawford III registered a pair of rushes for 21 yards with one touchdown
-- For the receiving corps, Dervon Pesnell led the way with 42 yards off three receptions while Corey Ibrahim and Andre Banks combined for a joint 53 yards behind a combined two catches
-- Defensively, Cale Williams set the tone for the well-balanced unit with eight total tackles along with a 0.5 sack; Je'Mazin Roberts added seven tackles with a forced fumble as well; Evan Byrd (four tackles) along with Dominick Poole (three tackles) each swiped interceptions off deflected passes, the former of which led to the initial score for The Citadel; Bradlee Jones posted three tackles while also recovering the fumble and breaking up a deep ball attempt from Samford down the left sideline
-- James Platte continued his unreal season in the kicking game, dropping five bombs -- including a big-time 61-yarder -- for a punting average of 54.6 yards per attempt, notably pinning Samford inside their own 20-yard line on three occasions