The Citadel
4-8 , 3-5
ETSU
7-5 , 5-3
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Citadel | 7 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 26 |
| ETSU | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
Second-Half Surge Falters Late, ETSU Clips Bulldogs in Season Finale, 28-26
11/22/2025 4:33:00 PM | Football
"This is the first time all season that we played from start to finish from the first quarter to the fourth quarter," head coach Maurice Drayton said. "That's a positive. Our guys fought back, the effort was there for all fourth quarters and we had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter.
"I truly believe that the 2025 football team was better than the previous two football teams we've had at The Citadel; unfortunately, that wasn't reflected in the overall record. I knew that going into the season, but I think the 2026 schedule will be more conducive for us, especially if we can replace some pieces of the puzzle it should be a fun season."
KEY NOTES
-- Offensively, The Citadel outgunned ETSU overall in total yardage, posting 431 yards to the Bucs' 409 for the game; notably, the Bulldogs ground out a seventh 200-yard plus rushing outing for the season, logging 218 yards with two scores
-- Under center, Quentin Hayes orchestrated a second-half comeback via a brilliant 11-of-18 for 200 yards through the air -- an individual first for The Citadel this season -- with one score and two interceptions; the Air Force transfer contributed a team-best 103 yards on 18 carries as well
-- For the running back corps, Garrison Johnson Sr. led the group with 86 yards on 11 attempts, punching in his lone touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, a 63-yard breakaway up the middle
-- For the wideouts, Javonte Graves-Billips pulled down four catches for a team-best 52 yards; Jihad Marks ranked second with two catches for 47 yards and a TD, a 39-yard one-handed grab in the end zone to bring the Bulldogs within striking distance midway through the fourth quarter; Malachi Taylor and Whit Hobgood added 33 yards apiece on a combined three receptions as well; of particular note, true freshman Abijah Webb notched his first-ever collegiate catch late in the first half, good for 11 yards and a first down
-- Defensively, Mikey Rosa paced the team with 11 tackles on the day, including one of the squad's two sacks on the day; Cale Williams accounted for another 10 tackles with a key pick -- good for his second of the year -- in the ETSU end zone; Tyrik McDaniel added nine tackles as well
-- In the kicking game, Ben Barnes nailed a pair of field goals from 31- and 33-yards, respectively
One play, one score...Garrison Johnson Sr. GOES THE DISTANCE on the opening play from scrimmage for the Bulldogs, cashing in a TD Bank touchdown on the 63-yard rush up the middle!
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 22, 2025
The Citadel -- 7
ETSU -- 0
Q1 | 12:58#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/KcsuZXxGUV
A 30-yard Hayes-to-Knauth connection up the sideline sets up the eventual two-yard rushing score for Beau Herrington, good for the second TD Bank touchdown of the game for your Bulldogs!
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 22, 2025
The Citadel -- 14
ETSU -- 21
Q2 | 2:59#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/kEtrrWWZLx
Following a brilliant triple reverse pass to Whit Hobgood, Ben Barnes connects on a 31-yard REV Federal Credit Union field goal...Bulldogs close the gap to 11 early here in the third quarter!
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 22, 2025
The Citadel -- 17
ETSU -- 28
Q3 | 7:51#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/5eTtDPxOB8
CALE WILLIAMS!!!
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 22, 2025
The senior swipes his second pick of the season in epic fashion, shutting down a promising ETSU drive via an end zone interception 🥷🌪️
The Citadel -- 17
ETSU -- 28
Q3 | 2:04#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/3XeJZ7Ir3K
Jihad Marks w/ a highlight for the season reel courtesy of an ABSOLUTELY UNREAL ONE-HANDED CATCH!!!
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 22, 2025
The grad transfer snags TD Bank touchdown No. 7⃣ on the year in what can only be described as art🎨
The Citadel -- 23
ETSU -- 28
Q4 | 13:34#FireThoseCannons | @ESPNAssignDesk pic.twitter.com/CVZtzOJmpW
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
CIT 7, ETS 0
CIT - Johnson Sr.,Garrison 63 yd run (Barnes,Ben kick), 1 plays, 63 yards, TOP 00:12
CIT 7, ETS 7
ETS - Houston,Devontae 1 yd run (Johnson,Ewan kick), 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:17
CIT 7, ETS 14
ETS - Page,Karim 17 yd pass from Criswell,Jacolby (Johnson,Ewan kick) 11 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:59
CIT 7, ETS 21
ETS - Albritton,Jason 1 yd run (Johnson,Ewan kick), 9 plays, 56 yards, TOP 03:29
CIT 14, ETS 21
CIT - Herrington,Beau 2 yd run (Barnes,Ben kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:49
CIT 14, ETS 28
ETS - Houston,Devontae 15 yd run (Johnson,Ewan kick), 9 plays, 74 yards, TOP 02:12
CIT 17, ETS 28
CIT - Barnes,Ben 31 yd field goal 13 plays, 62 yards, TOP 07:09
CIT 23, ETS 28
CIT - Marks,Jihad 39 yd pass from Hayes,Quentin () 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:30
CIT 26, ETS 28
CIT - Barnes,Ben 33 yd field goal 9 plays, 37 yards, TOP 04:35
