CHARLESTON, S.C. - Despite being tied at 7-7 at the end of the first
quarter, the Presbyterian College football team could not keep pace with the
Bulldogs in the 26-14 loss Saturday evening after a 40-minute weather delay
that postponed the start of the game in front of 12,972 fans.
The Blue Hose are now 0-3 on the season while the Bulldogs improve to 2-1.
"It was a well-played football game," head coach Harold Nichols said. "It was
hard fought on both sides of the ball. The Citadel made less mistakes than we
did. In order for us to win on the road, we have to eliminate turnovers. We are
a better team this year and we are an improving team."
After The Citadel went ahead 7-0 on their first possession, the Blue Hose
answered with a six-play, 68-yard touchdown drive. On the drive, Dendy was the
main influence. He picked up the last 43 yards of the drive on a touchdown run
on second-and-10. The touchdown marked the second he scored against The Citadel
in his career having gone for a 40-yard touchdown on fourth-and-one a year ago.
Near the mid-way point of the second quarter, The Citadel embarked on a
10-play, 57-yard drive that resulted in a 17-yard touchdown run by Van Dyke
Jones, making the score 14-7 at that point.
An 80-yard touchdown run by Terrell Dallas came after Patrick Morgano launched
a career-best 57-yard punt, putting The Citadel up 21-7 with 6:05 to play in
the half.
The Blue Hose seemed to struggle moving the ball in the second quarter. At the
intermission, Brandon Miley had completed just five-of-11 passes for 22 yards
with an interception.
The Bulldogs tacked on a 21-yard field goal with 12:25 left
in the game to take a 24-7 lead.
The teams traded the ball back-and-forth in the fourth
quarter until the Blue Hose got the ball at their own 24-yard line with 4:21
remaining. Miley engineered a six play, 76-yard drive which lasted just 58
seconds. The drive was capped off by
Miley's 15-yard scramble touchdown to make the score 24-14.
The ensuing onside kick was unsuccessful as the Bulldogs
took possession of the ball. The PC
defense circled the wagons to force a pivotal three-and-out.
The punt pinned the Blue Hose on their own three yard line. Miley
was sacked in the endzone for a safety, making the score 26-14.
PC tried the onside kick, but was unable to recover, thus ending its
comeback bid.
For the game, The Citadel held the time of possession 38:37 - 21:23. Dendy led
the way with 103 total yards for a 6.9 average.
Morgano had an outstanding day, averaging 47 yards per punt. Defensively, Derek
Brown posted a game-high 10 tackles, including six solo stops.
The Blue Hose return to action Saturday, Sept. 25 in a 12 p.m. contest
against North Greenville. The contest, which will take place in New Bailey
Stadium, is the home opener for PC. It will also be televised on WLOS.
