Game #7 - The Citadel

After a couple weeks' rest, for the seventh game of the season, the Cats travel to South Carolina's low country to face the Bulldogs of The Citadel.

Western faces the Bulldogs for the forty-sixth time since 1972.





Game #7 - The Citadel

When: Saturday, October 23

Time:  2:00 pm
Where: Johnson Hagood Stadium (11,332), Charleson, SC 
Radio:  Catamount Sports Network

-announcers:  Gary Ayers, PxP; Daniel Hooker, color; Greg McLamb, sideline

TV/video: ESPN+

-announcers:  Kevin Fitzgerald (PxP) Jason Kempf (analyst) Anna Witte (Sideline)

Live Stats:  Citadel live stats

Game Notes:  Western Carolina   -    The Citadel 

Citadel Message Board:  Citadel Fan Message Board

Nickname:  Bulldogs

Mascot:  Spike

The Series: Western is currently 18-26-1 vs. the Bulldogs overall. The Cats and Dogs first played on the gridiron in 1972. The Cats own a 7-14 record vs. the Citadel in games played in Charleston. 

Games played by the Bulldogs this season before the WCU contest: (6 games)  The Bulldogs opened the season on the road at Coastal Carolina with a 14-52 loss on the road, before returning to Charleston for three home games, facing Charleston Southern and another loss. The dogs then hosted North Greenville for their first win of the season. VMI visited next, and the Bulldogs got their second win of the season at home. The Citadel then went on the road for two game, traveling to ETSU and then to Furman, losing both road games.  

Last Season's Game vs. The Citadel (3-13-21) - Spencer, Defense Key Catamount Victory over The Citadel, 21-14 - Cullowhee, N.C. – Donnavan Spencer rushed for a career-high 220 yards and two touchdowns, with Mikai Stanley adding a third score on the ground as Western Carolina built a 21-6 halftime lead and held off The Citadel to earn a 21-14 victory in Southern Conference football action on Saturday afternoon at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.

Last season's Record - spring (The Citadel): 2-10 overall, 1-4 home, 1-6 away, 2-6 SoCon

This season's Record - fall (The Citadel):  2-4 overall, 2-1 home, 0-3 away, 1-2 SoCon

Head Coach: Brent Thompson -  Brent Thompson was named The Citadel's 25th head football coach on January 19, 2016. In his first year, he led the Bulldogs to unprecedented heights while authoring one of the best seasons in Southern Conference history. Thompson’s first season in charge featured a program-record 10-game winning streak, a single-season school-record six road victories, only the seventh 8-0 conference record in 84 years of SoCon football, a second consecutive conference championship, a No. 6 national seed in the FCS Playoffs and the first home playoff game in 24 years. He was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year for the 10-2 campaign that resulted in the first time in program history with back-to-back playoff appearances.

Offensive Formation: Triple Option
Defensive Formation: Multiple

Thompson's Record at The Citadel: 28-31 (.483) 

Overall Record: Same

Tompson's Record vs. WCU:  3-2

Bell's record vs. The Citadel: 0-0

In six games, the Bulldogs lead the conference in rushing offense. The dogs are averaging 277 yards per game on the ground, rushing for 4.8 yards per carry. While the Bulldogs lead the conference in rushing, they come in last place in the pass offense, averaging only 101.2 yards per game.  In scoring offense, The Citadel ranks 6th in the conference, scoring an average of 25 points per game (PPG). 

The Citadel is currently tied for second (Kennesaw State) in the FCS in rushing yards per game at 277.3 and tied for fourth in the FCS with 18 rushing touchdowns.

2021 The Citadel Statistics (Fall - 6 games):
Rushing Offense: 1664 yards
Yards per game: 277.3
Yards per rush: 4.8 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 91
TDs rushing: 8
Passing Offense: 607 yards or 101.2 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 8.5 yards
Passing 1st downs: 18
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 35-71-3
TDs Passing: 3
Total Offense:  2271 yards or 378.5 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 7 - 4
3d Down Conversions: 38 0f 86 (44%)
4th Down Conversions: 8 of 20 (40%)
Field goal attempts: 1 of 3
PAT-Attempts: 21 of 21 
On-side kicks: 0 of 20

Red Zone Scores: 15 of 21 (71%)
Red Zone Touchdowns: 14 of 21 (67%)
Punts - Yards: 24 for 1056 yrds - Avg per punt: 44