Know Your Foe: The Citadel Bulldogs
2024 record: 3-5 (1-4 SoCon)
Last Week: W at VMI, 13-10
Head Coach: Maurice Drayton (2nd season)
Last Meeting: Samford W 37-7
Betting: Samford -8.5, O/U 51.5
TV: ESPN+
Kick Off: 1:00pm CT
Fun Fact: Samford has won the last five games in this series. They have averaged 45 points in those five games.
The 2024 Samford football season is back on track following the 55-35 home win over then #7 Mercer. It may seem early in the season to call last week a must win but that is what it was. Samford could use the momentum from the Mercer win to propel them to something bigger this season. Also when it comes to FCS Playoffs time, it will definitely help Samford’s resume. Samford did receive votes in the STATS FCS Top 25 this week.
For now, there is a long way to go before that conversation near season’s end. Samford has to handle their business and it starts on the road at The Citadel.
Samford used 42 first half points and two second half, defensive touchdowns to take down Mercer. The offense did not score a single point in the second half. So which offense will show up is the question? Meanwhile with the two scores, the Samford defense turned Mercer over five times.
The Citadel have been playing better under second year head coach Maurice Drayton. They picked up the big time win over their rival VMI 13-10 last week. That one win is more than The Citadel had in Southern Conference play last season. These Bulldogs want to make the game ugly, play good defense then win the time of possession battle. Last week, The Citadel won with just 81 passing yards.
The team ranks eighth in the SoCon in passing yards per game with 161.8. Liberty transfer QB Jonathan Bennett has thrown for 1,260 yards this season with five touchdowns and six interceptions. He does, however, just complete 50% of his passes. Another matchup for this Samford defense that their secondary may not be tested as much.
While The Citadel may lack flash in the passing game, they do run the ball extremely well. The Bulldogs are third in the SoCon in rushing yards per game with 152.9 yards per game. Bennett is actually tied for the team lead in rushing with 342 rushing yards. RB Corey Ibrahim has the same yardage but only one touchdown. Ibrahim rushes for 4.4 yards per carry.
Samford must limit The Citadel rushing attack and get them into obvious passing situations.
WR Dervon Pesnell is back for another season after transferring from Campbell. He leads the team in receiving with 357 yards but has just one touchdown.
The Citadel defense has also improved in the second year with this coaching staff. Last season, they gave up the most yards per game in the SoCon. This year, they sit sixth in the SoCon giving up 351.4 yards per game. They are susceptible to giving up yards on the ground giving up the third most rushing yards per game with 152.9.
This team can get after the quarterback being second in the SoCon in sacks with 24. The Citadel sacked VMI four times en route to the win.
LB Thomas Wyatt leads the Bulldogs in total tackles with 68 and leads the team in tackles for loss with nine. Thomas also has the most sacks on the team with 3.5.
DB Cale Williams is second on the team in tackles with 54. DB Dominick Poole is second with 42 total tackles and leads the team in interceptions with two.
Can Samford parlay the momentum from the Mercer win to getting a road win? It is imperative that they do if they want any chance at postseason football. The Citadel does not have the athletes and team that Samford does so the Samford Bulldogs should take care of business.
If football does not win on Saturday, well Bucky Ball will be back in just over a week.
