CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Citadel took a 17-14 lead into halftime, but a pair of big plays got the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga right back in the game in the second quarter.

Trailing 14-0 after the first play of the quarter, the Mocs, with Jare Gault back at quarterback after being injured in the first, scored on a 40-yard pass from Gault to Chris Pitchford to make it 14-7.

On the ensuing possession, the Citadel drove down to the UTC 19-yard line and Sam Keeler tried a 36-yard field goal but it was blocked by Buster Skrine and returned 64 yards for a touchdown by J.D. Dothard to make it 14-14 with 3:52 left in the half.

The Citadel answered with a 38-yard field goal on its next possession to take a 17-14 lead at the break.

For more Mocs coverage, see tomorrow’s Times Free Press.