By Manning Snyder
SouthernPigskin.com

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Manning Snyder recaps The Citadel’s loss to Western Carolina.

The Citadel (0-7, 0-3) drops their SoCon game against Western Carolina, 21-14.

The Bulldogs were plagued by yet another slow start. Instead of a 75-yard touchdown pass allowed like the first two spring games, The Citadel gave up 36 rushing yards on the first play of the gamexe2x80x93a facemask penalty tacked on fifteen more yards to the run, giving the Catamounts the ball at the Citadel 11-yard line. Western Carolina would score two plays later.

The Citadel bounced back with a touchdown on their own on the ensuing drive, but would give up 14 unanswered points in the second quarter.

Down 21-6 at the half, The Bulldogs rallied to score late in the third quarter. The Citadel had two possessions in the fourth quarter, including one late in the game, but were stopped on fourth down at their own 22-yard line.0

It was a game of missed opportunities for the Bulldogs. They also never had established any offensive momentum. Although The Citadel dominated time-of-possession (37:29 to 22:31), they missed a field goal, fumbled the ball twice (one recovered by WCU), and only completed three passes. The Catamounts outgained the Bulldogs in total offense (367 to 341 yards).

Redshirt-sophomore quarterback Jaylan Adams had 131 rushing and 36 passing yards. Freshman B-Back Nathan Storch was the second highest rusher for The Citadel, gaining 125 yards on 33 attempts. Sophomore linebacker Anthony Britton Jr. led the Bulldog defense with 16 total tackles (9 solo).

The Citadel were without injured Willie Eubanks III, Preseason SoCon Defensive Player of the Year, and five other starters (one to injury and four to suspension).

The Bulldogs return to Johnson Hagood Stadium to face ETSU next Saturday at 1pm.