The Citadel
4-5 , 3-3
VMI
1-8 , 0-5
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VMI | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
| The Citadel | 0 | 0 | 7 | 28 | 35 |
Hayes, Marks Pace The Citadel Comeback Bid, Dispatch Rival VMI in Instant Classic, 35-24
11/1/2025 6:17:00 PM | Football
POTENT QUOTES
-- "This was a full speed rollercoaster ride today," Holmes said. "The emotions were everywhere, but we came together to get the win."
-- "We showed what type of team, what type of offense we are in the fourth quarter," Hayes said. "It's grit. We've talked all week about resiliency. When you are in a game like this and you are down like that, the only thing that gets you out of it is grit and heart. You can't rely as much on talent as what's inside of you. I think at the end of the day, we as a team had to tap into a deeper level."
KEY NOTES
-- Offensively, the Bulldogs racked up a total 511 total yards on the day, including a solid 329 yards with two touchdowns in the ground game along with a key 182 yards through the air for three scores; notably, the fourth-quarter surge for The Citadel featured 269 yards on 23 plays, good for 52.6 percent of the team's overall production during just 34.8 percent of total plays
-- Under center, Hayes impressed with 175 yards passing on a 5-of-7 clip for three TDs while adding 73 yards on 15 rushes with another score on the ground; Cobey Thompkins assisted with the offensive jumpstart as well, notching a team-best 101 rushing yards on 11 carries
-- For the running back corps, Beau Herrington registered a notable outing with 88 yards off just 13 carries; Garrison Johnson Sr. contributed 10 rushes 50 yards with one touchdown as well
-- On the day, Marks set the tone for the wideouts with four receptions for 168 receiving yards -- good for the eighth-best single-game showing in program history -- and three scores, matching the second-highest TD catch total for The Citadel and now serving as the best scoring performance since Andre Roberts pulled down four touchdowns in a victory over Presbyterian in 2009
-- Defensively, Cale Williams led the unit with nine tackles, including five solo; Tyrik McDaniel and Mikey Rosa posted seven tackles apiece as well, the latter of whom logged one tackle-for-loss; Holmes, who collected three solo tackles on the day with one pass breakup, notably ran down VMI's Leo Boehling on a 70-yard gash up the middle to save a touchdown at the one-yard line before immediately capitalizing on a read-option fumble one play later to keep the Keydets off the scoreboard midway through the fourth
-- James Platte compiled another solid showing in the kicking game, finishing with four punts for an average of 47.0 yards a pop, notably pinning VMI inside the 20-yard line on two occasions
-- Finally, The Citadel celebrated the Senior Class of 2025 during the pregame, honoring the following 30 cadet- and student-athletes: Jack McCall, Melvin Ravenel, Hayden Vasquez, Je'Mazin Roberts, Corey Moraux, McDaniel, Drew Nyangweso, JJ Hudson, Williams, Joey Annetta, Malachi Taylor, Johnson Sr., Nolan Jones, Justice Gilliard, Camden Gray, Bryce Jamison, Darryle Ware, Tanner Johnson, Mike Bartilucci, Sawyer Whitman, Matt Metrosky, Jordan Marks, Saul Diaz, Jihad Marks, Wilson Long, Ben Barnes, Kemani Brown, Platte, Chris Iverson and Phillip Collins
QUENTIN HAYES TO JIHAD MARKS!!!
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 1, 2025
The duo come up clutch ONCE AGAIN for the third TD Bank touchdown in the past two games, gettin the Bulldogs on the board for the first time today 🌪️⚡️
The Citadel -- 7
VMI -- 21
Q3 | 6:50#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/YtoAXAWo2W
PITCH. AND. CATCH.
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 1, 2025
The Hayes-to-Marks connection continues to flourish, as this 44-yard strike set up an ensuing TD Bank touchdown rush on the following play!
The Citadel -- 14
VMI -- 24
Q4 | 12:28#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/xqJGzlnaPN
JEREMIAH HOLMES W/ THE CLUTCH RECOVERY!!!
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 1, 2025
The Bulldogs come up big on the goal line, forcing a turnover to keep the comeback bid alive 🔥🌪️
The Citadel -- 14
VMI -- 24
Q4 | 11:02#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/nD22a7jjf4
ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE!!!
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 1, 2025
Jihad Marks reels in a LEAPING 72-yard TD Bank touchdown from, you guessed it, Quentin Hayes as the Bulldogs pull back within a field goal ⚡️🌪️
The Citadel -- 21
VMI -- 24
Q4 | 10:36#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/G2Mws4M4Kl
WHAT. A. FOURTH. QUARTER.
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 1, 2025
Garrison Johnson Sr. PUNCHES IN another TD Bank touchdown for The Citadel as the Bulldogs secure their first lead of the day, good for Bulldogs' third score inside the last eight minutes 🌪️🔥
The Citadel -- 28
VMI -- 24
Q4 | 4:33#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/Xm8rifNc9S
Hard to beat this feeling 🫡
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 1, 2025
📸: Michael Wiser#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/xxfsbBYye2
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
VMI 7, CIT 0
VMI - Utsey,Nana 1 yd run (Joyce,Jack kick), 9 plays, 66 yards, TOP 04:44
VMI 14, CIT 0
VMI - McNeely,Malik 9 yd pass from Shannon,Collin (Joyce,Jack kick) 15 plays, 98 yards, TOP 06:16
VMI 21, CIT 0
VMI - Grevious,Noah 59 yd pass from Shannon,Collin (Joyce,Jack kick) 4 plays, 71 yards, TOP 01:51
VMI 21, CIT 7
CIT - Marks,Jihad 19 yd pass from Hayes,Quentin (Barnes,Ben kick) 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:24
VMI 24, CIT 7
VMI - Joyce,Jack 26 yd field goal 10 plays, 88 yards, TOP 04:20
VMI 24, CIT 14
CIT - Hayes,Quentin 6 yd run (Barnes,Ben kick), 8 plays, 78 yards, TOP 02:27
VMI 24, CIT 21
CIT - Marks,Jihad 72 yd pass from Hayes,Quentin (Barnes,Ben kick) 2 plays, 88 yards, TOP 00:26
VMI 24, CIT 28
CIT - Johnson Sr.,Garrison 11 yd run (Barnes,Ben kick), 9 plays, 76 yards, TOP 03:28
VMI 24, CIT 35
CIT - Marks,Jihad 33 yd pass from Hayes,Quentin (Barnes,Ben kick) 4 plays, 42 yards, TOP 01:00
