2024 The Citadel Bulldogs football team

2024 The Citadel Bulldogs football
Conference	Southern Conference
Record	5–7 (3–5 SoCon)
Head coach	Maurice Drayton (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Patrick Covington (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator	Raleigh Jackson (2nd season)
Home stadium	Johnson Hagood Stadium

2024 Southern Conference football standings

v t e	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]

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	6:00 p.m.	at Charleston Southern*	Buccaneer Field North Charleston, SC	ESPN+	W 22–21	5,831
September 7	12:00 p.m.	South Carolina State*	Johnson Hagood Stadium Charleston, SC	ESPN+	L 20–23	10,579
September 14	12:00 p.m.	North Greenville*	Johnson Hagood Stadium Charleston, SC	ESPN+	W 54–0	8,867
September 21	6:00 p.m.	at No. 14 Mercer	Five Star Stadium Macon, GA	ESPN+	L 21–38	10,489
September 28	2:00 p.m.	East Tennessee State	Johnson Hagood Stadium Charleston, SC	ESPN+	L 17–34	11,363
October 5	2:00 p.m.	Furman	Johnson Hagood Stadium Charleston, SC (rivalry)	ESPN+	L 16–17	9,053
October 12	2:30 p.m.	at Western Carolina	Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium Cullowhee, NC	ESPN+	L 16–30	6,278
October 19	1:30 p.m.	at VMI	Alumni Memorial Field Lexington, VA (Military Classic of the South)	ESPN+	W 13–10	8,277
October 26	2:00 p.m.	Samford	Johnson Hagood Stadium Charleston, SC	ESPN+	W 28–11	8,977
November 9	2:00 p.m.	No. 23 Chattanooga	Johnson Hagood Stadium Charleston, SC	ESPN+	L 7–31	12,513
November 16	1:30 p.m.	at Wofford	Gibbs Stadium Spartanburg, SC (rivalry)	ESPN+	W 30–17	4,561
November 23	3:30 p.m.	at No. 17 (FBS) Clemson*	Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC	The CW	L 14–51	80,300
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

Source:^[2][3]

Game summaries

at Charleston Southern

See also: 2024 Charleston Southern Buccaneers football team

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	0	3	12	7	22
Buccaneers	7	7	7	0	21

at Buccaneer Field • North 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)

Statistics	CIT	CHSO
First downs	20	19
Total yards	360	383
Rushing yards	190	93
Passing yards	170	290
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	10–17–0	20–25–0
Time of possession	32:11	27:49

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
The Citadel	Passing	Johnathan Bennett	10/17, 170 yards
	Rushing	Corey Ibrahim	16 carries, 68 yards
	Receiving	Dervon Pesnell	3 receptions, 86 yards
Charleston Southern	Passing	Rob McCoy	20/25, 290 yards, TD
	Rushing	Rob McCoy	12 carries, 40 yards
	Receiving	Chris Rhone	5 receptions, 90 yards

South Carolina State

See also: 2024 South Carolina State Bulldogs football team

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
South Carolina State	3	6	7	7	23
The Citadel	3	0	10	7	20

at Johnson Hagood Stadium • Charleston, 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)

Statistics	SCST	CIT
First downs	26	10
Total yards	421	275
Rushing yards	217	106
Passing yards	204	169
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	19–26–0	13–22–1
Time of possession	36:13	23:47

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
South Carolina State	Passing	Eric Phoenix	18/23, 194 yards, TD
	Rushing	Deondra Duehart	18 carries, 128 yards
	Receiving	Justin Smith-Brown	5 receptions, 94 yards
The Citadel	Passing	Johnathan Bennett	13/22, 169 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Corey Ibrahim	7 carries, 52 yards
	Receiving	Dervon Pesnell	2 receptions, 72 yards

North Greenville (DII)

See also: North Greenville Trailblazers football

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Trailblazers (DII)	0	0	0	0	0
Bulldogs	7	20	14	13	54

at Johnson Hagood Stadium • Charleston, 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)

Statistics	NG	CIT
First downs	13	21
Total yards	225	346
Rushing yards	129	222
Passing yards	96	124
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	12–21–0	12–22–0
Time of possession	31:27	28:33

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Greenville	Passing	Dylan Ramirez	7/16, 73 yards
	Rushing	Jacob Walker	13 carries, 58 yards
	Receiving	Cameron Walker	1 reception, 24 yards
The Citadel	Passing	Johnathan Bennett	9/18, 91 yards, TD
	Rushing	Corey Ibrahim	15 carries, 114 yards, TD
	Receiving	Andre Banks	3 receptions, 42 yards

at No. 14 Mercer

See also: 2024 Mercer Bears football team

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	0	14	7	0	21
No. 14 Bears	14	14	7	3	38

at Five Star Stadium • Macon, 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

Statistics	CIT	MER
First downs	16	20
Total yards	393	433
Rushing yards	57	180
Passing yards	336	253
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	19-41-1	20-25-1
Time of possession	26:26	33:34

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
The Citadel	Passing	Johnathan Bennett	19/40, 336 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Cooper Wallace	9 carries, 29 yards
	Receiving	Javonte Graves-Billips	4 receptions, 105 yards
Mercer	Passing	D.J. Smith	20/25, 253 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Dwayne Mcgee	17 carries, 94 yards
	Receiving	Kelin Parsons	5 receptions, 75 yards

East Tennessee State

See also: 2024 East Tennessee State Buccaneers football team

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Buccaneers	0	13	0	21	34
Bulldogs	3	0	7	7	17

at Johnson Hagood Stadium • Charleston, SC

• Date: Saturday September 28, 2024
• Game time: 2:00 p.m.
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	ETSU	CIT
First downs	22	12
Total yards	460	269
Rushing yards	308	81
Passing yards	152	188
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	13-29-3	18-32-1
Time of possession	29:04	30:56

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
East Tennessee State	Passing	Jaylen King	13/29, 152 yards, 3 INT
	Rushing	Bryson Irby	14 carries, 126 yards, TD
	Receiving	AJ Johnson	3 receptions, 47 yards
The Citadel	Passing	Johnathan Bennett	17/31, 187 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Corey Ibrahim	11 carries, 48 yards
	Receiving	Tyler Cherry	2 receptions, 69 yards, TD

Furman (rivalry)

See also: 2024 Furman Paladins football team and The Citadel–Furman football rivalry

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Paladins	0	0	3	14	17
Bulldogs	10	0	3	3	16

at Johnson Hagood Stadium • Charleston, 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

Statistics	FUR	CIT
First downs	17	16
Total yards	274	257
Rushing yards	28	154
Passing yards	246	103
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	23-33-0	11-23-1
Time of possession	22:14	37:46

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Furman	Passing	Trey Hedden	23/33, 246 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Myion Hicks	7 carries, 25 yards
	Receiving	Ben Ferguson	5 receptions, 53 yards, TD
The Citadel	Passing	Johnathan Bennett	11/23, 103 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Johnathan Bennett	16 carries, 48 yards
	Receiving	Dervon Pesnell	4 receptions, 65 yards, TD

at Western Carolina

See also: 2024 Western Carolina Catamounts football team

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	0	7	7	2	16
Catamounts	7	14	3	6	30

at Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium • Cullowhee, 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

Statistics	CIT	WCU
First downs	25	26
Total yards	429	396
Rushing yards	274	102
Passing yards	155	294
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	12-28-2	28-38-0
Time of possession	33:03	26:57

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
The Citadel	Passing	Johnathan Bennett	12/28, 155 yards, 2 INT
	Rushing	Johnathan Bennett	22 carries, 155 yards, TD
	Receiving	Javonte Graves-Billips	4 receptions, 54 yards
Western Carolina	Passing	Cole Gonzales	28/38, 294 yards, TD
	Rushing	Branson Adams	13 carries, 53 yards
	Receiving	Zion Booker	6 receptions, 102 yards, TD

at VMI (Military Classic of the South)

See also: 2024 VMI Keydets football team and Military Classic of the South

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	3	3	0	7	13
Keydets	0	10	0	0	10

at Alumni Memorial Field • Lexington, 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

Statistics	CIT	VMI
First downs	10	13
Total yards	188	227
Rushing yards	107	92
Passing yards	81	135
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	4-6-0	12-24-0
Time of possession	30:17	29:43

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
The Citadel	Passing	Johnathan Bennett	4/6, 81 yards, TD
	Rushing	Johnathan Bennett	22 carries, 46 yards
	Receiving	Tyler Cherry	3 receptions, 78 yards, TD
VMI	Passing	Chandler Wilson	7/19, 83 yards
	Rushing	Hunter Rice	20 carries, 70 yards, TD
	Receiving	Ethen Horne	2 receptions, 45 yards

Samford

See also: 2024 Samford Bulldogs football team

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Samford	0	3	0	8	11
The Citadel	0	0	14	14	28

at Johnson Hagood Stadium • Charleston, 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

Statistics	SAM	CIT
First downs	22	14
Total yards	300
Rushing yards	97	166
Passing yards	223	134
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	29-36-2	11-18-0
Time of possession	28:03	31:57

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Samford	Passing	Quincy Crittendon	29/36, 223 yards, 2 INT
	Rushing	Damonta Witherspoon	9 carries, 41 yards
	Receiving	Iaan Cousin	3 receptions, 47 yards
The Citadel	Passing	Johnathan Bennett	11/18, 134 yards
	Rushing	Johnathan Bennett	12 carries, 54 yards, TD
	Receiving	Dervon Pesnell	3 receptions, 42 yards

No. 23 Chattanooga

See also: 2024 Chattanooga Mocs football team

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 23 Mocs	0	14	10	7	31
Bulldogs	0	0	7	0	7

at Johnson Hagood Stadium • Charleston, 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

Statistics	UTC	CIT
First downs	22	11
Total yards	377	277
Rushing yards	246	233
Passing yards	131	44
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	8-15-0	5-15-1
Time of possession	32:11	27:49

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Chattanooga	Passing	Luke Schomburg	8/15, 131 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Reggie Davis	18 carries, 115 yards
	Receiving	Chris Domercant	2 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD
The Citadel	Passing	Johnathan Bennett	5/10, 44 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Johnathan Bennett	8 carries, 66 yards
	Receiving	Javonte Graves-Billips	1 reception, 19 yards

Wofford (rivalry)

See also: 2024 Wofford Terriers football team and The Citadel–Wofford football rivalry

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	3	10	10	7	30
Terriers	14	3	0	0	17

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

Statistics	CIT	WOF
First downs	20	15
Total yards	357	267
Rushing yards	191	108
Passing yards	166	159
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	11-18-0	14-21-1
Time of possession	35:47	24:13

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
The Citadel	Passing	Johnathan Bennett	11/18, 166 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Cooper Wallace	9 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Javonte Graves-Billips	4 receptions, 68 yards, 2 TD
Wofford	Passing	Amari Odom	14/21, 159 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Ryan Ingram	12 carries, 103 yards
	Receiving	Dylan Djete	3 receptions, 42 yards

No. 17 (FBS) Clemson

See also: 2024 Clemson Tigers football team

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	0	0	7	7	14
No. 17 (FBS) Tigers	14	21	10	6	51

at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, 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)

Statistics	CIT	CLEM
First downs	15	27
Total yards	387	562
Rushing yards	288	302
Passing yards	99	260
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	3–11–1	18–31–1
Time of possession	35:42	24:18

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
The Citadel	Passing	Johnathan Bennett	2/10, 90 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Johnny Crawford III	7 carries, 70 yards
	Receiving	Javonte Graves-Billips	2 receptions, 90 yards, TD
Clemson	Passing	Cade Klubnik	12/16, 198 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Jay Haynes	5 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.