CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Buoyed by a punishing 354-yard outing from the ground attack, The Citadel (3-3, 2-1 SoCon) compiled a dominant performance against non-conference foe Valdosta State (2-4, 0-0 GSC), downing the Blazers via a final 38-14 margin Saturday afternoon at Sansom Field at Johnson Hagood Stadium.
"We started fast," head coach
Maurice Drayton said. "Offensively, we went touchdown, touchdown, touchdown, field goal and three and out and then an interception in the first half. That shows me we can't handle success. We have to learn how to handle success and keep our foot on the gas for three straight hours. We can't be satisfied, but we will never apologize after winning a game."
KEY NOTES
-- Under center,
Cobey Thompkins and
Quentin Hayes shared the load throughout the game, finishing 3-for-9 passing for 44 yards; the run game proved more fortuitous for both quarterbacks, combining for 133 yards on seven attempts apiece
-- For the second consecutive game,
Sebastien Boyle paced the ground attack for the Bulldogs, logging 74 total yards on seven carries with a pair of house calls, including a 72-yard burst up the middle to kick off the second quarter;
Javonte Graves-Billips added 56 yards on three attempts while
Garrison Johnson Sr. pounded the rock deep in the red zone, notching three touchdowns behind 27 yards on 11 carries
-- Overall, the Bulldogs' 355 yards on 50 rushes constituted a new season-best, topping a 336-yard on 58 attempts outing during the Sept. 27 victory over Chattanooga
-- Defensively,
Mikey Rosa took care of business with a team-best seven tackles, including a pair of tackles-for-loss with one logged as a sack;
Lee Alexander Jr. picked up five tackles while
Je'Mazin Roberts contributed another four
-- Finally, the time-of-possession heavily leaned in favor of The Citadel due to well-establish ground game, concluding in a 30:37-to-28:39 edge for the Bulldogs
-- #FireThoseCannons --
