# 2024 The Citadel Bulldogs football team

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.

## Schedule

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

## Game summaries
### at Charleston Southern

| 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)
| 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 |
| The Citadel | Rushing | Corey Ibrahim | 16 carries, 68 yards |
| The Citadel | Receiving | Dervon Pesnell | 3 receptions, 86 yards |
| Charleston Southern | Passing | Rob McCoy | 20/25, 290 yards, TD |
| Charleston Southern | Rushing | Rob McCoy | 12 carries, 40 yards |
| Charleston Southern | Receiving | Chris Rhone | 5 receptions, 90 yards |

### South Carolina State

| 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)
| 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 |
| South Carolina State | Rushing | Deondra Duehart | 18 carries, 128 yards |
| South Carolina State | Receiving | Justin Smith-Brown | 5 receptions, 94 yards |
| The Citadel | Passing | Johnathan Bennett | 13/22, 169 yards, TD, INT |
| The Citadel | Rushing | Corey Ibrahim | 7 carries, 52 yards |
| The Citadel | Receiving | Dervon Pesnell | 2 receptions, 72 yards |

### North Greenville (DII)

| 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)
| 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 |
| North Greenville | Rushing | Jacob Walker | 13 carries, 58 yards |
| North Greenville | Receiving | Cameron Walker | 1 reception, 24 yards |
| The Citadel | Passing | Johnathan Bennett | 9/18, 91 yards, TD |
| The Citadel | Rushing | Corey Ibrahim | 15 carries, 114 yards, TD |
| The Citadel | Receiving | Andre Banks | 3 receptions, 42 yards |

### at No. 14 Mercer

| 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
| 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 |
| The Citadel | Rushing | Cooper Wallace | 9 carries, 29 yards |
| The Citadel | Receiving | Javonte Graves-Billips | 4 receptions, 105 yards |
| Mercer | Passing | D.J. Smith | 20/25, 253 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Mercer | Rushing | Dwayne Mcgee | 17 carries, 94 yards |
| Mercer | Receiving | Kelin Parsons | 5 receptions, 75 yards |

### East Tennessee State

| 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
| 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 |
| East Tennessee State | Rushing | Bryson Irby | 14 carries, 126 yards, TD |
| East Tennessee State | Receiving | AJ Johnson | 3 receptions, 47 yards |
| The Citadel | Passing | Johnathan Bennett | 17/31, 187 yards, TD, INT |
| The Citadel | Rushing | Corey Ibrahim | 11 carries, 48 yards |
| The Citadel | Receiving | Tyler Cherry | 2 receptions, 69 yards, TD |

### Furman (rivalry)

| 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+
| 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 |
| Furman | Rushing | Myion Hicks | 7 carries, 25 yards |
| Furman | Receiving | Ben Ferguson | 5 receptions, 53 yards, TD |
| The Citadel | Passing | Johnathan Bennett | 11/23, 103 yards, TD, INT |
| The Citadel | Rushing | Johnathan Bennett | 16 carries, 48 yards |
| The Citadel | Receiving | Dervon Pesnell | 4 receptions, 65 yards, TD |

### at Western Carolina

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

### at VMI (Military Classic of the South)

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

### Samford

| 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
| 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 |
| Samford | Rushing | Damonta Witherspoon | 9 carries, 41 yards |
| Samford | Receiving | Iaan Cousin | 3 receptions, 47 yards |
| The Citadel | Passing | Johnathan Bennett | 11/18, 134 yards |
| The Citadel | Rushing | Johnathan Bennett | 12 carries, 54 yards, TD |
| The Citadel | Receiving | Dervon Pesnell | 3 receptions, 42 yards |

### No. 23 Chattanooga

| 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
| 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 |
| Chattanooga | Rushing | Reggie Davis | 18 carries, 115 yards |
| Chattanooga | Receiving | Chris Domercant | 2 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD |
| The Citadel | Passing | Johnathan Bennett | 5/10, 44 yards, 1 INT |
| The Citadel | Rushing | Johnathan Bennett | 8 carries, 66 yards |
| The Citadel | Receiving | Javonte Graves-Billips | 1 reception, 19 yards |

### Wofford (rivalry)

| 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
| 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 |
| The Citadel | Rushing | Cooper Wallace | 9 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD |
| The Citadel | Receiving | Javonte Graves-Billips | 4 receptions, 68 yards, 2 TD |
| Wofford | Passing | Amari Odom | 14/21, 159 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Wofford | Rushing | Ryan Ingram | 12 carries, 103 yards |
| Wofford | Receiving | Dylan Djete | 3 receptions, 42 yards |

### No. 17 (FBS) Clemson

| 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)
| 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 |
| The Citadel | Rushing | Johnny Crawford III | 7 carries, 70 yards |
| The Citadel | Receiving | Javonte Graves-Billips | 2 receptions, 90 yards, TD |
| Clemson | Passing | Cade Klubnik | 12/16, 198 yards, 3 TD |
| Clemson | Rushing | Jay Haynes | 5 carries, 118 yards, 2 TD |
| Clemson | Receiving | Bryant Wesco Jr. | 3 receptions, 75 yards, TD |