WCU Football Game #8 - at The Citadel

For the eighth game of the season, the Catamounts hit the road to the South Carolina Lowcountry to face the The Citadel Bulldogs in Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston, SC  

Game #8 - The Citadel

 

The Bulldogs come into this game on a two win streak, with victories over Chattanooga and Valdosta State.  The Bulldogs appear to have shown improvement, game by game this season, with a impressive 28-10 road win over the Chattanooga Mocs. The Citadel is 3-3 overall, and 2-1 in the SoCon.

When: Saturday, October 18, 2025

Time:  2:00 pm
Where: Johnson Hagood Stadium, Charleston, SC
Radio:  Catamount Sports Network

     -announcers:  Gary Ayers • Daniel Hooker • Producer: Jeff Bryson

TV/video: ESPN+

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 21-27-1 vs. the Bulldogs overall. The Cats and Dogs first played on the gridiron in 1972, and the Cats own a 9-14 record vs. the Citadel in games played in Charleston, SC, along with a 6-4 record in the last 10 games played. The Cats have won 4 of the last 5 games played and are on a two win game streak. 

Last Season's Game vs. The Citadel (10-12-24) -  Williams Three Rushing TDs Leads Catamounts to 30-16 Win - Cullowhee, N.C. – Jalynn Williams scored three rushing touchdowns and Cole Gonzales threw for nearly 300 yards including an 18-yard score to Zion Booker as Western Carolina claimed its second-straight home win in Southern Conference play as the Catamounts tallied a 30-16 victory over The Citadel as spectators were welcomed back to E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field on Heroes Day.

Last Season Record - (The Citadel 2024): 5-7 overall, 2-4 home, 3-3 away, 3-5 SoCon

This season's Record - (The Citadel 2025): 3-3 overall, 1-2 home, 2-1 away, 2-1 SoCon

Head Coach: Maurice Drayton -  Former Bulldog player and defensive coordinator Maurice Drayton has been named the next head football coach at The Citadel. The announcement was made by Director of Athletics Mike Capaccio on Tuesday. A former standout player and defensive coordinator, Drayton returns to The Citadel after spending the previous seven seasons working in the NFL.

Drayton's Record vs. WCU:  0 - 2

Bell's record vs. The Citadel: 3 - 1

Offensive Formation: Option 

Defensive Formation: Multiple

Offensive Starters Returning / Lost: 6 / 5 

Defensive Starters Returning / Lost: 6 / 5 

The Bulldogs were picked by the coaches poll to finish 8th overall for the 2025 season, with 5 players receiving preseason honors. 

In the 2024 season, The Bulldogs ranked amongst the leaders in the SoCon for time of possession, holding onto the ball for an average 31:11 per game, good for 31st in the FCS and second leaguewide. Notably, the 2024 campaign marks the ninth year of the past decade that the offense averaged 30:00 minutes of possession or more, with The Citadel ranking inside the top ten nationally for the category in seven of the past 10 seasons. 

With the option offense, the Bulldogs will try to ground our the yardage, wearing down the defensive unit, and keep the WCU offense off the field.  Nothing new, just run, run, run the ball - what The Citadel is known for. 

2025 The Citadel Statistics (thru 5 games - VS not included):

Rushing Offense: 930 yards

Yards per game: 186 yards
Yards per rush: 4.1  yards

Rushing 1st downs: 49

TDs rushing: 12
Passing Offense: 460 yards or 92 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 11.8 yards
Passing 1st downs: 18
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 60-39-1

TDs Passing: 4
Total Offense:  1390 yards or 278 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 7 - 3
3d Down Conversions: 26 of 67 (37%)
4th Down Conversions: 5 of 13 (38%)
Field goal attempts: 2 of 5
PAT-Attempts: 9 of 9
On-side kicks: 0 of 2

Red Zone Scores: 8 of 11
Red Zone Touchdowns: 7 of 1

Punts - Yards: 24 for 1101 yards - Avg per punt: 43

Time of possession:  29:52 minutes per game