JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- In spite of a second-half defensive shutout combined with a surging offensive attack, The Citadel (4-8, 3-5 SoCon) stumbled down the stretch in the program's regular-season finale at ETSU (7-5, 5-3 SoCon), falling to the host Buccaneers behind a combative 28-26 margin Saturday afternoon at William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium.
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
-- #FireThoseCannons --
