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.
"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
-- #FireThoseCannons --
