Saturday, September 5
Charlotte, N.C. / Jerry Richardson Stadium
4:45 PM
The Citadel
at
Charlotte
Photo by: Aaron Beswick / The Citadel Athletics
Bulldogs Conclude Season-Opening Roadtrip at Charlotte, Challenge 49ers Saturday
9/4/2026 2:17:00 PM | Football
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Citadel wraps up the program's season-opening two-game roadtrip at non-conference adversary Charlotte on Saturday, Sept. 5, kickoff slated for 3:30 p.m. at Jerry Richardson Stadium. For full coverage, tune in live via ESPN+ or follow along via social media -- @CitadelFootball.
GAMEDAY CENTRAL
THE CITADEL (0-1, 0-1 SoCon) at Charlotte (0-0, 0-0 American)
Saturday, Sept. 5 | 3:30 p.m.
Jerry Richardson Stadium | Charlotte, N.C.
Game Notes: The Citadel | Charlotte | Southern Conference
Follow Live: Live Stats | Watch | Listen | Tickets
WEEKLY SOCIAL SYNC
SERIES INFO
Series Results: 1-0, The Citadel
Last Time: W, 63-56 (2OT) (10/11/2014)
Last at Jerry Richardson Stadium: N/A
Streak: W1
KEY GAME NOTES
HOMETOWN HEROES
Highlighted by multiple offseason additions on the recruiting trail, the Bulldogs continue to showcase the strong football tradition of the greater Charleston area on the roster, including:
- LB Chase Anderson, LS Tommy DiLiegro, DL Andrew Jackson, OL Frank Schmidt, TE Whit Hobgood, LB Robert Mallard III & TE Jude Claborn, Charleston, S.C.
- RB Dorvensky Reichley, Moncks Corner, S.C.
- DB Jammall Fludd, North Charleston, S.C.
- DB Ryland Mitchell, OL Andrew Tumbleston & LB Tim Miller Jr., Summerville, S.C.
- P Jack Weil & LB Jameson Bell, Mount Pleasant, S.C.
POUND THE ROCK
Fueled by four 200-yard-plus rushing performances over the course of the past five games, including, 2025 vs. VMI (329), 2025 vs. Wofford (201), 2025 at ETSU (218) & 2026 at Wofford (227), the Bulldogs' ground game has evolved into one of the offense's most reliable weapons under third-year OC Lamar Owens. From the national perspective, The Citadel slots in as one of the top rushing attacks in the FCS, currently ranking 25th nationwide and third in the SoCon behind a 227.0 yards per game mark. Individually, the Bulldogs continue to lean on the squad's leading producer from a year ago in QB Quentin Hayes, who posted 682 yards for seven TDs on 153 attempts in 2025, including a pair of 100-yard rushing performances at Chattanooga (103) and ETSU (103), while also utilizing Kent State transfer Gavin Garcia as well as up-and-comer RB Sebastien Boyle, who accounted for 221 yards and three scores on 51 carries during the 2025 campaign.
THE SHARK HUNTER (YES, LITERALLY)
The offseason addition of RB Gavin Garcia has created additional avenues of opportunity for The Citadel offense, as the Kent State transfer brings a wealth of experience from four years of #MACtion. A multi-year contributor in the backfield for the Golden Flashes, Garcia logged 146 rushes for 647 yards and three touchdowns in 2025, good for 4.4 yards per carry. All-in-all, when the Pennsylvania product entered the portal, The Citadel proved an attractive option for more than just football -- Charleston, and even more specifically, Charleston beaches. A longtime hunter and fisherman, Garcia has recently turned his focus to shark hunting, working the reel directly off the shore or from a chartered vessel. Unsurprisingly, he has transformed the pursuit into a burgeoning social media presence via his @gghooksnhorns handle, and currently runs his own shark fishing charters in the spare time between graduate school and football commitments.
THE Q CONTINUUM
Following a dual-quarterback experiment a year ago, The Citadel enters the 2026 campaign led indisputably by returning starter Quentin Hayes, who notably garnered offseason acclaim as the Preseason All-Southern Conference first team selection. The Enterprise, Ala., native set the tone both on the ground and through the air, pacing the Bulldogs with 682 yards for seven touchdowns on 153 carries in the former while finishing 58-of-92 for 897 yards and eight scores in the latter. Hayes even managed to insert himself into the school record book as well behind his 63.0 percent completion percentage for the season, good for third all-time in program history.
JOURNEYMAN ON DECK
With Quentin Hayes serving as the unquestioned returner at the quarterback entering Fall Camp, head coach Maurice Drayton & Co. prepped to recruit a relatively unenviable job -- backup quarterback. Enter graduate transfer Nick Billoups, who joined The Citadel following a journeyman routine across the West Coast, including stops at Utah, BYU, UCLA and Lane College.
DEGREES OF DISTINCTION
Amongst the multitude of offseason additions for The Citadel, head coach Maurice Drayton managed to sign a number of college graduates to the program, adding considerable depth and experience for the Bulldogs. Within the group, though, four standouts hail from prestigious academic institutions ranked inside the Top 40 colleges & universities via U.S. News & World Report, including LB Zyion Brown (Dartmouth, t-No. 13), WR Derek Kee (Vanderbilt, t-No. 17), QB Nick Billoups (UCLA, t-No. 17) and WR Ismael Zamor (Boston College, t-No. 36).
MILITARY DISCIPLINE
In spite of the mascot, The Citadel managed to avoid the doghouse often during the 2025 season, ranking ninth FCS-wide with 4.42 penalties per game while sitting 19th nationally with just 42.42 penalty yards per game. One game deep into the 2026 campaign, the Bulldogs continue their displined approach, ranked 25th nationally with just four total penalties at Wofford.
DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH
Since the 1978 decision to reclassify DI football into I-A (FBS) and I-AA (FCS), The Citadel leads the SoCon in victories over FBS opponents behind nine wins, notably knocking off Georgia Tech (2019), South Carolina (2015 & 1990) and Arkansas (1992). In spite of Charlotte's current association, the Bulldogs actually lead the one-game series via a 2OT 63-56 victory in 2014, edging the 49ers prior to the jump into the FBS ranks just a year later.
'POP' THE CHAMPAGNE
When head coach Maurice Drayton offered the 2026 military captaincy to RB Rhyder Poppell, the rising-redshirt junior had not yet undergone one of the more important athletic journeys of his collegiate career -- playing a role in the Bulldogs' baseball program claiming their first Southern Conference tournament title since 2010. A product of Tallahassee, Fla., Poppell & Co. cleaved their way through the 2026 SoCon Championship field, dispatching top-seeded Mercer on two occasions as well as Wofford, Samford and rival VMI en route to the NCAA Atlanta Regional. At the NCAA level, The Citadel challenged eventual national champion Oklahoma in a pair of contested battles while also knocking off UIC in a dramatic 10-inning slugfest.
SECONDARY SWAGGER
In spite of a program-record 11 turnovers given up during the 2025 campaign, the Bulldogs still only managed an even 0.00 turnover margin as The Citadel defense only secured as many takeaways of their own for the year. As such, head coach Maurice Drayton challenged fourth-year DC Raleigh Jackson & Co. to significantly bolster defensive turnovers for the Bulldogs entering the 2026 season. Thus far, a two-turnover performance at Wofford served as a strong start for The Citadel, taking advantage of fresh instincts from new starters DB J'hari Mosley and DB Temarcus Elam as the pair pulled down their first career interceptions during the first half against the Terriers. Notably, the latter orchestrated a 67-yard return deep into Wofford territory after reeling in the takeaway at the Bulldogs' one-yard line, good for the 13th longest interception return in program history.
(NORTH) AMERICAN MADE
The Citadel 2026 roster hails from across the United States and even into Canada, spanning 19 states coast-to-coast and one Canadian province:
- South Carolina: 49
- Georgia: 16
- Florida: 8
- North Carolina: 7
- Alabama: 4
-California: 3
- Ohio: 3
- Tennessee: 3
- Texas: 2
- Connecticut: 1
- Illinois: 1
- Kentucky: 1
- Louisiana: 1
- Maryland: 1
- Massachusetts: 1
- Mississippi: 1
- Nebraska: 1
- New Jersey: 1
- Pennsylvania: 1
- Quebec: 1
GAMEDAY CENTRAL
THE CITADEL (0-1, 0-1 SoCon) at Charlotte (0-0, 0-0 American)
Saturday, Sept. 5 | 3:30 p.m.
Jerry Richardson Stadium | Charlotte, N.C.
Game Notes: The Citadel | Charlotte | Southern Conference
Follow Live: Live Stats | Watch | Listen | Tickets
WEEKLY SOCIAL SYNC
𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞 🎥
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) September 3, 2026
On October 11, 2014, The Bulldogs pulled off a thrilling 63-56 double overtime win over the 49ers in an instant classic at Johnson Hagood Stadium! 📼… pic.twitter.com/vzsrswWRSx
🎥 ICYMI: We caught up w/ J'hari Mosley after a team-best eight tackles and his first career interception this past Saturday! 🗣️#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/1Yrn5Dtwua
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) September 2, 2026
𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞-𝐨𝐧-𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞 ❄️⚪️🥋#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/IwvaG5KI8d
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) September 2, 2026
ICYMI: HC @KoachDrayton joined Beyond the Barracks on Monday evening to discuss the recovery from Wofford as well as the upcoming prep for Charlotte.
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) September 1, 2026
Check out the full episode ⤵️
🎙️: https://t.co/K8Z8cT8TP6#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/GrJjci1QGQ
HC @KoachDrayton caught up w/ the local Charleston media ahead of the Bulldogs' upcoming roadtrip to Charlotte on Saturday...check out the full presser here 🏈
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) August 31, 2026
Full download ⤵️
📽️: https://t.co/DDQNWVAzmG#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/mUocieyZDX
SERIES INFO
Series Results: 1-0, The Citadel
Last Time: W, 63-56 (2OT) (10/11/2014)
Last at Jerry Richardson Stadium: N/A
Streak: W1
KEY GAME NOTES
HOMETOWN HEROES
Highlighted by multiple offseason additions on the recruiting trail, the Bulldogs continue to showcase the strong football tradition of the greater Charleston area on the roster, including:
- LB Chase Anderson, LS Tommy DiLiegro, DL Andrew Jackson, OL Frank Schmidt, TE Whit Hobgood, LB Robert Mallard III & TE Jude Claborn, Charleston, S.C.
- RB Dorvensky Reichley, Moncks Corner, S.C.
- DB Jammall Fludd, North Charleston, S.C.
- DB Ryland Mitchell, OL Andrew Tumbleston & LB Tim Miller Jr., Summerville, S.C.
- P Jack Weil & LB Jameson Bell, Mount Pleasant, S.C.
POUND THE ROCK
Fueled by four 200-yard-plus rushing performances over the course of the past five games, including, 2025 vs. VMI (329), 2025 vs. Wofford (201), 2025 at ETSU (218) & 2026 at Wofford (227), the Bulldogs' ground game has evolved into one of the offense's most reliable weapons under third-year OC Lamar Owens. From the national perspective, The Citadel slots in as one of the top rushing attacks in the FCS, currently ranking 25th nationwide and third in the SoCon behind a 227.0 yards per game mark. Individually, the Bulldogs continue to lean on the squad's leading producer from a year ago in QB Quentin Hayes, who posted 682 yards for seven TDs on 153 attempts in 2025, including a pair of 100-yard rushing performances at Chattanooga (103) and ETSU (103), while also utilizing Kent State transfer Gavin Garcia as well as up-and-comer RB Sebastien Boyle, who accounted for 221 yards and three scores on 51 carries during the 2025 campaign.
THE SHARK HUNTER (YES, LITERALLY)
The offseason addition of RB Gavin Garcia has created additional avenues of opportunity for The Citadel offense, as the Kent State transfer brings a wealth of experience from four years of #MACtion. A multi-year contributor in the backfield for the Golden Flashes, Garcia logged 146 rushes for 647 yards and three touchdowns in 2025, good for 4.4 yards per carry. All-in-all, when the Pennsylvania product entered the portal, The Citadel proved an attractive option for more than just football -- Charleston, and even more specifically, Charleston beaches. A longtime hunter and fisherman, Garcia has recently turned his focus to shark hunting, working the reel directly off the shore or from a chartered vessel. Unsurprisingly, he has transformed the pursuit into a burgeoning social media presence via his @gghooksnhorns handle, and currently runs his own shark fishing charters in the spare time between graduate school and football commitments.
THE Q CONTINUUM
Following a dual-quarterback experiment a year ago, The Citadel enters the 2026 campaign led indisputably by returning starter Quentin Hayes, who notably garnered offseason acclaim as the Preseason All-Southern Conference first team selection. The Enterprise, Ala., native set the tone both on the ground and through the air, pacing the Bulldogs with 682 yards for seven touchdowns on 153 carries in the former while finishing 58-of-92 for 897 yards and eight scores in the latter. Hayes even managed to insert himself into the school record book as well behind his 63.0 percent completion percentage for the season, good for third all-time in program history.
JOURNEYMAN ON DECK
With Quentin Hayes serving as the unquestioned returner at the quarterback entering Fall Camp, head coach Maurice Drayton & Co. prepped to recruit a relatively unenviable job -- backup quarterback. Enter graduate transfer Nick Billoups, who joined The Citadel following a journeyman routine across the West Coast, including stops at Utah, BYU, UCLA and Lane College.
DEGREES OF DISTINCTION
Amongst the multitude of offseason additions for The Citadel, head coach Maurice Drayton managed to sign a number of college graduates to the program, adding considerable depth and experience for the Bulldogs. Within the group, though, four standouts hail from prestigious academic institutions ranked inside the Top 40 colleges & universities via U.S. News & World Report, including LB Zyion Brown (Dartmouth, t-No. 13), WR Derek Kee (Vanderbilt, t-No. 17), QB Nick Billoups (UCLA, t-No. 17) and WR Ismael Zamor (Boston College, t-No. 36).
MILITARY DISCIPLINE
In spite of the mascot, The Citadel managed to avoid the doghouse often during the 2025 season, ranking ninth FCS-wide with 4.42 penalties per game while sitting 19th nationally with just 42.42 penalty yards per game. One game deep into the 2026 campaign, the Bulldogs continue their displined approach, ranked 25th nationally with just four total penalties at Wofford.
DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH
Since the 1978 decision to reclassify DI football into I-A (FBS) and I-AA (FCS), The Citadel leads the SoCon in victories over FBS opponents behind nine wins, notably knocking off Georgia Tech (2019), South Carolina (2015 & 1990) and Arkansas (1992). In spite of Charlotte's current association, the Bulldogs actually lead the one-game series via a 2OT 63-56 victory in 2014, edging the 49ers prior to the jump into the FBS ranks just a year later.
'POP' THE CHAMPAGNE
When head coach Maurice Drayton offered the 2026 military captaincy to RB Rhyder Poppell, the rising-redshirt junior had not yet undergone one of the more important athletic journeys of his collegiate career -- playing a role in the Bulldogs' baseball program claiming their first Southern Conference tournament title since 2010. A product of Tallahassee, Fla., Poppell & Co. cleaved their way through the 2026 SoCon Championship field, dispatching top-seeded Mercer on two occasions as well as Wofford, Samford and rival VMI en route to the NCAA Atlanta Regional. At the NCAA level, The Citadel challenged eventual national champion Oklahoma in a pair of contested battles while also knocking off UIC in a dramatic 10-inning slugfest.
SECONDARY SWAGGER
In spite of a program-record 11 turnovers given up during the 2025 campaign, the Bulldogs still only managed an even 0.00 turnover margin as The Citadel defense only secured as many takeaways of their own for the year. As such, head coach Maurice Drayton challenged fourth-year DC Raleigh Jackson & Co. to significantly bolster defensive turnovers for the Bulldogs entering the 2026 season. Thus far, a two-turnover performance at Wofford served as a strong start for The Citadel, taking advantage of fresh instincts from new starters DB J'hari Mosley and DB Temarcus Elam as the pair pulled down their first career interceptions during the first half against the Terriers. Notably, the latter orchestrated a 67-yard return deep into Wofford territory after reeling in the takeaway at the Bulldogs' one-yard line, good for the 13th longest interception return in program history.
(NORTH) AMERICAN MADE
The Citadel 2026 roster hails from across the United States and even into Canada, spanning 19 states coast-to-coast and one Canadian province:
- South Carolina: 49
- Georgia: 16
- Florida: 8
- North Carolina: 7
- Alabama: 4
-California: 3
- Ohio: 3
- Tennessee: 3
- Texas: 2
- Connecticut: 1
- Illinois: 1
- Kentucky: 1
- Louisiana: 1
- Maryland: 1
- Massachusetts: 1
- Mississippi: 1
- Nebraska: 1
- New Jersey: 1
- Pennsylvania: 1
- Quebec: 1
-- #FireThoseCannons --
Players Mentioned
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