Know Your Foe: The Citadel Bulldogs
Record: 0-1 (0-0 SoCon)
2024 record: 5-7
Last week: L vs 1 North Dakota State, 38-11
Head coach: Maurice Drayton (3rd season)
Last meeting: Samford L, 28-11
Betting: Samford -3.5, O/U 44.5
TV: ESPN+
Kick off time: 2:30pm CT
Fun Fact: The Citadel has never won in Birmingham in six games
Well so much for Samford starting out fast in 2025 exacting revenge on West Georgia as they fell in the season opener at home 34-3. One Samford fourth quarter field goal made sure Samford avoided being shut out at home for the first time since 1968. The offense could not get anything going and to add insult to injury, had two turnovers and one in the red zone.
The Samford defense did everything they could to keep Samford in the game. West Georgia scored 34 points but only 17 came from the UWG offense. The Wolves recovered a muffed punt inside the Samford 10, returned the opening second half kickoff for a TD, and had a 50-yard scoop and score.
Behind a new offensive line, Samford just ran for 24 yards on 28 attempts at a measly 0.9 yards per attempt. There was no downfield passing game either as Samford is trying to work in some transfers and freshmen at the skill positions. They did not come ready to play and The Citadel could be just what Samford needs to get the train on the tracks.
The Citadel Bulldogs threw and tied themselves on the train in week one. The Citadel hosted the number one team in the country in North Dakota State and lost 38-0. North Dakota State held The Citadel to just 126 total yards (22 passing) as the Bison tallied 519 total yards. The number one team in the country came into Charleston and did what the number one team in America should do.
The Citadel were picked to finish eighth in the Southern Conference Preseason Poll and had five on the preseason All-Conference teams. The Bulldogs made a big jump last year in Maurice Drayton’s second season going from 0-11 in year one to 5-7 in year two. They do return 11 defensive contributors from a season ago and four of their five offensive linemen.
In The Citadel’s 28-11 win over Samford last season, they held Samford to just 134 passing yards and Samford did not score their lone touchdown until the final drive of the game. Samford led 3-0 at halftime as the Samford offense continued their 2024 struggles.
Against North Dakota State, The Citadel head coach Maurice Drayton said they needed to play with more “swagger and confidence.” I would argue that’s hard to do against the best team in America. Drayton also mentioned that his team has too many “milk drinkers” and needed some more “liquor drinkers.”
The Citadel will probably start Air Force transfer QB Quentin Hayes. Hayes just attempted three passes last week and rushed for 24 yards. Redshirt freshman QB Cobey Thompkins did not start due to an illness and The Citadel are, however, aiming to play both on Saturday.
Neither had major production through the air so look for a ground and pound rushing attack. Texas A&M transfer senior Israel Benjamin will start at running back. Benjamin had 16 carries for 53 rushing yards averaging 3.3 yards per carry. Redshirt freshman Sebastien Boyle and graduate Garrison Johnson Sr. will also see time in the Bulldog backfield.
The Bulldogs lost their leading receiver from a season ago but returned their second leading receiver Javonte Graves-Billups. He had one catch for 14 yards against NDSU.
Moving over to The Citadel defense, DB Cale Williams led the Bulldogs in tackles last week with 12 and DB Bradlee Jones had 9 total tackles. Williams was made to the pre-season All-SoCon first team as he was the Bulldogs’s second leading tackler last season.
The Citadel did a good job of limiting NDSU WR Bryce Lance, holding him to just 34 yards on four catches as Citadel DB Bradlee Jones earned that assignment.
North Dakota State had a ton of success on the ground rushing for 256 yards at 5.4 yards a carry.
So how can Samford find success against The Citadel in a must-win game is the main question. Yes it is a must-win game as Samford cannot fall back to 0-2. If Samford does not come to play and drops game two at home, Samford is in deep trouble for the rest of the season.
How does the Samford offense find ways to attack this The Citadel defense? We are still in a I’ll believe when I see it mode when it comes to this offense. I trust Samford’s defense to be able to limit The Citadel and make them one dimensional.
Everything points to the Samford offense and can they make enough plays? They better if Samford wants to get to 1-1.
