CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Despite a resilient comeback effort throughout the second half, The Citadel (1-1, 0-0 SoCon) faltered in the program's home opener against regional rival South Carolina State (1-1, 0-0 MEAC), dropping a narrow 23-20 Bulldog-on-Bulldog clash Saturday afternoon at Sansom Field at Johnson Hagood Stadium.

KEY NOTES
-- Johnathan Bennett wrapped up the contest 13-for-22 in the air for 169 yards along with his first passing touchdown as a Bulldog; the graduate transfer added one score on the ground as well
-- For the second consecutive game, Corey Ibrahim paced the running back corps behind 60 yards on seven total carries, notably logging a breakaway 48-yarder early in the third quarter; Elijah Bass, who converted a fourth-and-two attempt via a 33-yard scamper up the left sideline, ranked second for the unit while Cooper Wallace tacked on 26 yards off eight carries
-- Similarly, Dervon Pesnell led all Citadel receivers with two catches for a significant 72 yards, including a 51-yard grab down the left sideline to set up an eventual Bennett TD rush; Ibrahim contributed 28 yards through the air on three catches while Wallace tossed in another 21 yards via two receptions
-- Defensively, Thomas Wyatt stepped up once again, this time logging 10 tackles with nine coming solo along with one tackle-for-loss; meanwhile, Evan Byrd and Cale Williams picked up seven tackles apiece
-- Ben Barnes drilled a pair of field goals on the day, hitting a 47-yarder in the first quarter before nailing a 38-yarder later in the third
-- James Platte also put together a solid performance punting, finishing with 45.7 average on three kicks, including a pair pinning SC State inside the 20-yard line
-- For the second straight week, Bradlee Jones scored a blocked kick as the sophomore defensive back got his hands on the first South Carolina State PAT attempt