2024 The Citadel Bulldogs football team

Last updated

2024 The Citadel Bulldogs football
Citadel Bulldogs logo.svg
Conference Southern Conference
Record5–7 (3–5 SoCon)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorPatrick Covington (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorRaleigh Jackson (2nd season)
Home stadium Johnson Hagood Stadium
Seasons
  2023
2025  
2024 Southern Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 8 Mercer $^  7 1   11 3  
Western Carolina  6 2   7 5  
Chattanooga  5 3   7 5  
East Tennessee State  5 3   7 5  
Samford  3 4   4 7  
The Citadel  3 5   5 7  
Wofford  3 5   5 7  
Furman  2 5   3 8  
VMI  1 7   1 11  
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ FCS playoff participant
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2024 The Citadel Bulldogs football team represented The Citadel as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bulldogs were coached by second-year head coach Maurice Drayton and played at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina. [1]

Contents

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 316:00 p.m.at Charleston Southern * ESPN+ W 22–215,831
September 712:00 p.m. South Carolina State *ESPN+L 20–2310,579
September 1412:00 p.m. North Greenville *
  • Johnson Hagood Stadium
  • Charleston, SC
ESPN+W 54–08,867
September 216:00 p.m.at No. 14 Mercer ESPN+L 21–3810,489
September 282:00 p.m. East Tennessee State
  • Johnson Hagood Stadium
  • Charleston, SC
ESPN+L 17–3411,363
October 52:00 p.m. Furman
  • Johnson Hagood Stadium
  • Charleston, SC (rivalry)
ESPN+L 16–179,053
October 122:30 p.m.at Western Carolina ESPN+L 16–306,278
October 191:30 p.m.at VMI ESPN+W 13–108,277
October 262:00 p.m. Samford
  • Johnson Hagood Stadium
  • Charleston, SC
ESPN+W 28–118,977
November 92:00 p.m.No. 23 Chattanooga Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Johnson Hagood Stadium
  • Charleston, SC
ESPN+L 7–3112,513
November 161:30 p.m.at Wofford ESPN+W 30–174,561
November 233:30 p.m.at No. 17 (FBS) Clemson * The CW L 14–5180,300
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Source: [2] [3]

Game summaries

at Charleston Southern

Game One – The Citadel Bulldogs (0–0) vs Charleston Southern Buccaneers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bulldogs0312722
Buccaneers777021

at Buccaneer FieldNorth Charleston, SC

  • Date: Saturday August 31, 2024
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 87 °F (31 °C) • Wind: N at 9 miles per hour (14 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 5,831
  • Referee: Branden McCain
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Justin Biegel (play-by-play) and Jack DeLongchamps (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (7:03) CSOU – Autavius Ison 3-yard run, Patrick Fisher-Butler kick (Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 5:11; Charleston Southern 7–0)
Second quarter
  • (2:24) CSOU – Jamil Bishop 64-yard pass from Rob McCoy, Patrick Fisher-Butler kick (Drive: 3 plays, 79 yards, 1:35; Charleston Southern 14–0)
  • (1:00) CIT – Ben Barnes 49-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 1:21; Charleston Southern 14–7)
Third quarter
  • (10:29) CSOU – Tyson Greenwade 2-yard run, Patrick Fisher-Butler kick (Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 4:25; Charleston Southern 21–3)
  • (6:20) CIT – Johnathan Bennett 1-yard run (Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:03; Charleston Southern 21–9)
  • (0:00) CIT – Johnny Crawford III 1-yard run (Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:31; Charleston Southern 21–15)
Fourth quarter
  • (1:55) CIT – Garrison Johnson 1-yard run, Ben Barnes kick (Drive: 6 plays, 13 yards, 2:52; The Citadel 22–21)
StatisticsCITCHSO
First downs2019
Total yards360383
Rushing yards19093
Passing yards170290
Passing: Comp–Att–Int10–17–020–25–0
Time of possession32:1127:49
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
The CitadelPassingJohnathan Bennett10/17, 170 yards
RushingCorey Ibrahim16 carries, 68 yards
ReceivingDervon Pesnell3 receptions, 86 yards
Charleston SouthernPassingRob McCoy20/25, 290 yards, TD
RushingRob McCoy12 carries, 40 yards
ReceivingChris Rhone5 receptions, 90 yards

South Carolina State

Game Two – South Carolina State Bulldogs (0–1) vs The Citadel Bulldogs (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
South Carolina State367723
The Citadel3010720

at Johnson Hagood StadiumCharleston, SC

  • Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 10,579
  • Referee: Jake Grombach
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Dave Weinstein (play-by-play), Vad Lee (analyst) and Ainsley Clifford (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • (7:49) SCST – Kyle Gallegos 30-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 62 yards, 7:11; South Carolina State 3–0)
  • (3:34) CIT – Ben Barnes 47-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 16 yards, 4:05; Tied 3–3)
Second quarter
  • (0:21) SCST – Caden High 10-yard pass from Eric Phoenix (Drive: 12 plays, 87 yards, 4:20; South Carolina State 9–3)
Third quarter
  • (11:33) CIT – Ben Barnes 38-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 3:27; South Carolina State 9–6)
  • (5:30) SCST – Josh Shaw 1-yard run, Kyle Gallegos kick (Drive: 13 plays, 87 yards, 6:03; South Carolina State 16–6)
  • (2:08) CIT – Saul Diaz 10-yard pass from Johnathan Bennett, Ben Barnes kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:22; South Carolina State 16–13)
Fourth quarter
  • (13:23) SCST – Josh Shaw 1-yard run, Kyle Gallegos kick (Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 3:35; South Carolina State 23–13)
  • (11:30) CIT – Johnathan Bennett 1-yard run, Ben Barnes kick (Drive: 3 plays, 57 yards, 1:44; South Carolina State 23–20)
StatisticsSCSTCIT
First downs2610
Total yards421275
Rushing yards217106
Passing yards204169
Passing: Comp–Att–Int19–26–013–22–1
Time of possession36:1323:47
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
South Carolina StatePassingEric Phoenix18/23, 194 yards, TD
RushingDeondra Duehart18 carries, 128 yards
ReceivingJustin Smith-Brown5 receptions, 94 yards
The CitadelPassingJohnathan Bennett13/22, 169 yards, TD, INT
RushingCorey Ibrahim7 carries, 52 yards
ReceivingDervon Pesnell2 receptions, 72 yards

North Greenville (DII)

Game Three – North Greenville Trailblazers (DII) (0–1) vs The Citadel Bulldogs (1–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Trailblazers (DII)00000
Bulldogs720141354

at Johnson Hagood StadiumCharleston, SC

  • Date: Saturday September 14, 2024
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 8,867
  • Referee: Jason Graham
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Pete Yanity (play-by-play), Jay Sonnhalter (analyst) and Dave Friedman (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • (8:35) CIT – Cooper Wallace 6-yard run, Ben Barnes kick (Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 4:08; The Citadel 7–0)
Second quarter
  • (10:32) CIT – Ben Barnes 36-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:48; The Citadel 10–0)
  • (6:24) CIT – Ben Barnes 25-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 35 yards, 2:49; The Citadel 13–0)
  • (1:56) CIT – Javonte Graves-Billips 15-yard pass from Johnathan Bennett, Ben Barnes kick (Drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 2:31; The Citadel 20–0)
  • (0:18) CIT – Garrison Johnson 1-yard run, Ben Barnes kick (Drive: 8 plays, 39 yards, 1:10; The Citadel 27–0)
Third quarter
  • (11:27) CIT – Whit Hobgood 0-yard punt return, Ben Barnes kick (The Citadel 34–0)
  • (2:55) CIT – Corey Ibrahim 28-yard run, Ben Barnes kick (Drive: 2 plays, 35 yards, 0:39; The Citadel 41–0)
Fourth quarter
  • (14:12) CIT – Dustin Fletcher 2-yard run, Ben Barnes kick (Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 3:00; The Citadel 48–0)
  • (3:18) CIT – Dutin Fletcher 1-yard run (Drive: 2 plays, 1 yard, 0:32; The Citadel 54–0)
StatisticsNGCIT
First downs1321
Total yards225346
Rushing yards129222
Passing yards96124
Passing: Comp–Att–Int12–21–012–22–0
Time of possession31:2728:33
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North GreenvillePassingDylan Ramirez7/16, 73 yards
RushingJacob Walker13 carries, 58 yards
ReceivingCameron Walker1 reception, 24 yards
The CitadelPassingJohnathan Bennett9/18, 91 yards, TD
RushingCorey Ibrahim15 carries, 114 yards, TD
ReceivingAndre Banks3 receptions, 42 yards

at No. 14 Mercer

Game Four – The Citadel Bulldogs (2–1) vs No. 14 Mercer Bears (3–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bulldogs0147021
No. 14 Bears14147338

at Five Star StadiumMacon, GA

  • Date: Saturday September 21, 2024
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsCITMER
First downs1620
Total yards393433
Rushing yards57180
Passing yards336253
Passing: Comp–Att–Int19-41-120-25-1
Time of possession26:2633:34
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
The CitadelPassingJohnathan Bennett19/40, 336 yards, TD, INT
RushingCooper Wallace9 carries, 29 yards
ReceivingJavonte Graves-Billips4 receptions, 105 yards
MercerPassingD.J. Smith20/25, 253 yards, 2 TD, INT
RushingDwayne Mcgee17 carries, 94 yards
ReceivingKelin Parsons5 receptions, 75 yards

East Tennessee State

Game Five – East Tennessee State Buccaneers (2–2) vs The Citadel Bulldogs (2–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Buccaneers01302134
Bulldogs307717

at Johnson Hagood StadiumCharleston, SC

  • Date: Saturday September 28, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 60 °F (16 °C) • Wind: W 5 mph
  • Game attendance: 11,363
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Dave Weinstein, Vad LeeMadison Little
Game information
First quarter
  • (7:25) CIT - Ben Barnes 32-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 4:02; The Citadel 3-0)
Second quarter
  • (13:46) ETSU - Khamran Laborn 20-yard run, kick failed (Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 3:47; East Tennessee State 6-3)
  • (7:03) ETSU - Jaylen King 14-yard run, Ewan Johnson kick (Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 1:16; East Tennessee State 13-3)
Third quarter
  • (10:32) CIT - Garrison Johnson 1-yard run, Ben Barnes kick (Drive: 3 plays, 8 yards, 1:16; East Tennessee State 13-10)
Fourth quarter
  • (5:42) ETSU - Khamran Laborn 40-yard run, Ewan Johnson kick (Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 4:38; East Tennessee State 20-10)
  • (5:31) ETSU - Jimmy Bowdry 0-yard interception, Ewan Johnson kick (East Tennessee State 27-10)
  • (3:17) CIT - Tyler Cherry 33-yard pass from Johnathan Bennett, Ben Barnes kick (Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 2:07; East Tennessee State 27-17)
  • (3:05) ETSU - Bryson Irby 58-yard run, Ewan Johnson kick (Drive: 1 play, 58 yards, 0:11; East Tennessee State 34-17)
StatisticsETSUCIT
First downs2212
Total yards460269
Rushing yards30881
Passing yards152188
Passing: Comp–Att–Int13-29-318-32-1
Time of possession29:0430:56
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
East Tennessee StatePassingJaylen King13/29, 152 yards, 3 INT
RushingBryson Irby14 carries, 126 yards, TD
ReceivingAJ Johnson3 receptions, 47 yards
The CitadelPassingJohnathan Bennett17/31, 187 yards, TD, INT
RushingCorey Ibrahim11 carries, 48 yards
ReceivingTyler Cherry2 receptions, 69 yards, TD

Furman (rivalry)

Game Six – Furman Paladins (1–3) vs The Citadel Bulldogs (2–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Paladins0031417
Bulldogs1003316

at Johnson Hagood StadiumCharleston, SC

  • Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 9,053
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsFURCIT
First downs1716
Total yards274257
Rushing yards28154
Passing yards246103
Passing: Comp–Att–Int23-33-011-23-1
Time of possession22:1437:46
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
FurmanPassingTrey Hedden23/33, 246 yards, 2 TD
RushingMyion Hicks7 carries, 25 yards
ReceivingBen Ferguson5 receptions, 53 yards, TD
The CitadelPassingJohnathan Bennett11/23, 103 yards, TD, INT
RushingJohnathan Bennett16 carries, 48 yards
ReceivingDervon Pesnell4 receptions, 65 yards, TD

at Western Carolina

Game Seven – The Citadel Bulldogs (2–4) at Western Carolina Catamounts (2–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bulldogs077216
Catamounts7143630

at Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire StadiumCullowhee, NC

  • Date: Saturday October 12, 2024
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 6,278
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsCITWCU
First downs2526
Total yards429396
Rushing yards274102
Passing yards155294
Passing: Comp–Att–Int12-28-228-38-0
Time of possession33:0326:57
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
The CitadelPassingJohnathan Bennett12/28, 155 yards, 2 INT
RushingJohnathan Bennett22 carries, 155 yards, TD
ReceivingJavonte Graves-Billips4 receptions, 54 yards
Western CarolinaPassingCole Gonzales28/38, 294 yards, TD
RushingBranson Adams13 carries, 53 yards
ReceivingZion Booker6 receptions, 102 yards, TD

at VMI (Military Classic of the South)

Game Eight – The Citadel Bulldogs (2–5) at VMI Keydets (0–6) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bulldogs330713
Keydets0100010

at Alumni Memorial FieldLexington, VA

  • Date: Saturday October 19, 2024
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsCITVMI
First downs1013
Total yards188227
Rushing yards10792
Passing yards81135
Passing: Comp–Att–Int4-6-012-24-0
Time of possession30:1729:43
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
The CitadelPassingJohnathan Bennett4/6, 81 yards, TD
RushingJohnathan Bennett22 carries, 46 yards
ReceivingTyler Cherry3 receptions, 78 yards, TD
VMIPassingChandler Wilson7/19, 83 yards
RushingHunter Rice20 carries, 70 yards, TD
ReceivingEthen Horne2 receptions, 45 yards

Samford

Game Nine – Samford Bulldogs (3–3) vs The Citadel Bulldogs (3–5) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Samford030811
The Citadel00141428

at Johnson Hagood StadiumCharleston, SC

  • Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 8,977
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsSAMCIT
First downs2214
Total yards300
Rushing yards97166
Passing yards223134
Passing: Comp–Att–Int29-36-211-18-0
Time of possession28:0331:57
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SamfordPassingQuincy Crittendon29/36, 223 yards, 2 INT
RushingDamonta Witherspoon9 carries, 41 yards
ReceivingIaan Cousin3 receptions, 47 yards
The CitadelPassingJohnathan Bennett11/18, 134 yards
RushingJohnathan Bennett12 carries, 54 yards, TD
ReceivingDervon Pesnell3 receptions, 42 yards

No. 23 Chattanooga

Game Ten – No. 23 Chattanooga Mocs (5–4) vs The Citadel Bulldogs (4–5) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 23 Mocs01410731
Bulldogs00707

at Johnson Hagood StadiumCharleston, SC

  • Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 12,513
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUTCCIT
First downs2211
Total yards377277
Rushing yards246233
Passing yards13144
Passing: Comp–Att–Int8-15-05-15-1
Time of possession32:1127:49
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ChattanoogaPassingLuke Schomburg8/15, 131 yards, 2 TD
RushingReggie Davis18 carries, 115 yards
ReceivingChris Domercant2 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD
The CitadelPassingJohnathan Bennett5/10, 44 yards, 1 INT
RushingJohnathan Bennett8 carries, 66 yards
ReceivingJavonte Graves-Billips1 reception, 19 yards

Wofford (rivalry)

Game Eleven – The Citadel Bulldogs (4–6) vs Wofford Terriers (5–5) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bulldogs31010730
Terriers1430017

at Gibbs Stadium • Spartanburg, SC

  • Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 4,341
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsCITWOF
First downs2015
Total yards357267
Rushing yards191108
Passing yards166159
Passing: Comp–Att–Int11-18-014-21-1
Time of possession35:4724:13
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
The CitadelPassingJohnathan Bennett11/18, 166 yards, 2 TD
RushingCooper Wallace9 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJavonte Graves-Billips4 receptions, 68 yards, 2 TD
WoffordPassingAmari Odom14/21, 159 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingRyan Ingram12 carries, 103 yards
ReceivingDylan Djete3 receptions, 42 yards

No. 17 (FBS) Clemson

Game Twelve – The Citadel Bulldogs (5–6) vs No. 17 (FBS) Clemson Tigers (8–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bulldogs007714
No. 17 (FBS) Tigers142110651

at Memorial StadiumClemson, SC

  • Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 60 °F (16 °C) • Wind: NE 2 mph • Weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 80,300
  • Referee: Tim Hedgepeth
  • TV announcers (The CW): Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Max Browne (analyst) and Treavor Scales (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • (08:10) Clemson – Antonio Williams 30-yard pass from Cade Klubnik, Nolan Hauser kick (Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 1:47; Clemson 7–0)
  • (03:17) Clemson – Peyton Page 57 yard interception return, Hauser kick (Drive: N/A, Clemson 14–0)
Second quarter
  • (10:49) Clemson – Bryant Wesco Jr. 55-yard pass from Klubnik, Hauser kick (Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:33; Clemson 21–0)
  • (06:07) Clemson – Jay Haynes 70-yard rush, Hauser kick (Drive: 4 plays, 90 yards, 1:50; Clemson 28–0)
  • (01:02) Clemson – Haynes 9-yard rush, Hauser kick (Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:33; Clemson 35–0)
Third quarter
  • (13:13) Clemson – Williams 9-yard pass from Klubnik, Hogan Morton kick (Drive: 4 plays, 49 yards, 1:45; Clemson 42–0)
  • (05:06) The Citadel – Garrison Johnson 9-yard rush, Ben Barnes kick (Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 8:07; Clemson 42–7)
  • (00:57) Clemson – Hauser 32-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 4:03; Clemson 45–7)
Fourth quarter
  • (10:31) The Citadel – Javonte Graves-Billips 66-yard pass from Johnathan Bennett, Barnes kick (Drive: 2 plays, 72 yards, 0:48; Clemson 45–14)
  • (06:25) Clemson – Barrett Carter 4-yard rush, Morton kick blocked (Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:00; Clemson 51–14)
StatisticsCITCLEM
First downs1527
Total yards387562
Rushing yards288302
Passing yards99260
Passing: Comp–Att–Int3–11–118–31–1
Time of possession35:4224:18
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
The CitadelPassingJohnathan Bennett2/10, 90 yards, TD, INT
RushingJohnny Crawford III7 carries, 70 yards
ReceivingJavonte Graves-Billips2 receptions, 90 yards, TD
ClemsonPassing Cade Klubnik 12/16, 198 yards, 3 TD
RushingJay Haynes5 carries, 118 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Bryant Wesco Jr. 3 receptions, 75 yards, TD

References

  1. "The Citadel Bulldogs Scores, Stats and Highlights". ESPN. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  2. "The Citadel Bulldogs 2024 football schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  3. Miller, Andrew (February 5, 2024). "The Citadel's 2024 football slate has 12 games, 2 new trophies". The Post and Courier. Retrieved March 25, 2024.