CHARLESTON, S.C.---On a sloppy, rainy afternoon at Johnson Hagood Stadium Andre Roberts propelled The Citadel (4-7/2-6) to a 24-21 win over the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1-10/0-7). Roberts' 43-yard punt return with 1:46 provided the winning margin.
The Bulldogs took the opening kickoff and drove 73 yards in nine plays to take a 7-0 lead on a Terrell Dallas seven-yard run. Dallas ran for 37 yards on five carries on drive as 46 yards of the drive came on the ground.
The Mocs responded moving the ball 33 yards to the Bulldogs' 35. Junior Craig Camay missed a 51-yard field goal attempt wide right as the drive stalled. The big play came on the first offensive snap of the game for Chattanooga as Jare Gault hooked up with Blue Cooper for a 28-yard completion down the middle of the field.
After trading punts, the Bulldogs used a short field to move 39 yards in four plays capped by Dallas' second score from three yards out. Dallas also had the drive's key play with a 28-yard reception to set up his run on an option pitch from Bart Blanchard.
The Mocs immediately answered as Gault found Chris Pitchford down the right sideline from 40 yards out to make it 14-7. The Chattanooga drive covered 66 yards on seven plays in 4:04.
The Citadel answered marching the ball 55 yards in 12 plays to set up a 36-yard field goal attempt by Sam Keeler. A big special teams play tied the score as Skrine blocked the attempt and J.D. Dothard returned it 64 yards for his first career score knotting the score at 14-all.
The Bulldogs followed with another impressive drive as Keller hit a 38-yard field goal with 1:06 left in the half to make it 17-14 Bulldogs. The drive of 59 yards in 10 plays took 2:46 off the clock.
Chattanooga struck quickly to open the second half. A 56-yard return by Buster Skrine set up a 31-yard pass from Gault to Blue Cooper to give the Mocs a 21-17 lead.
Both teams traded punts for a majority of the third quarter before the Bulldogs returned to their ball control ways and moved the down to the Chattanooga two. From there, Jaron Norfleet forced a fumble on a Dallas rush up the middle and Joseph Thornton recovered.
On the ensuing possession, the Mocs methodically moved the ball via the running game before a fumbled exchange between Gault and Erroll Wynn gave the ball back to the Bulldogs at the Mocs 36. On the next play, Blanchard looked for Andre Roberts on a post route, but Dothard made his second big play of the game with an interception in the endzone.
With 6:43 left, Brent Hayes fumbled on a rush up the middle to give the Bulldogs back at their own 49. The Bulldogs then drove inside the 10 before the Mocs stuffed a direct snap run by Roberts at the seven on fourth down. Chattanooga's three-and-out led to the punt return by Roberts for the winning tally. The Mocs drove to midfield before the drive stalled and the loss was sealed.
Both defenses played well on the afternoon with the Mocs limited to 242 yards of total offense, while holding The Citadel to 358. It was more the total number of plays that made the yardage difference as UTC had 46 plays against 76 for the Bulldogs. The Citadel held a 35:27 to 24:33 advantage in time of possession. The Mocs lost three fumbles on the day while forcing two Bulldog turnovers.
Gault led the offense with 182 passing yards completing 11 of 17 attempts with two touchdowns. He averaged 16.5 yards per completion and his two touchdown tosses were from 40 and 31 yards out.
Skrine played one of his best games of the year not only on defense but also on special teams. Skrine made eight tackles, blocked a field goal which led to a score and returned three kicks for 97 including a 56-yarder which also led to a score. Neil Brown had a team-high nine stops with one-and-a-half for loss, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries.
Roberts had 246 all-purpose yards on the day with nine catches for 116 yards, 43 yards rushing on six carries and 87 on punt returns. Dallas ended the game with 51 yards on 13 carries to go with his two scores.
The Mocs return home to host Samford in the season finale next Saturday at 2 p.m. at Finley Stadium. It will be Senior Day as the Mocs will honor this year's group of seniors prior to kickoff.
NOTES:
>Chattanooga wins toss, defers decision until second half. The Citadel chose to receive.
>The 21-17 lead in the third quarter is the first second half lead in a Division I game for the Mocs this season.
>Late first quarter, Jare Gault was knocked out of the game on a hit while delivering a pass. Sloan Allison came in for Gault. Gault returned for the Mocs next offensive possession.
>The Citadel dominated ball control in the first half with a 19:42 to 10:18 advantage.
>Jordan Hazard tied his career high of four receptions in a game in the first half.
>Pitchford's 40-yard touchdown reception is the longest of his career.
>For the ninth UTC game this season, a kick was blocked (either for or against).
