The Citadel's defense a concern for Mocs

The Citadel's switch to the triple-option offense has been the primary topic of conversation about the Bulldogs in Southern Conference circles this season. But the Bulldogs' defense shouldn't be overlooked.

Heading to Saturday's game against the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga at Johnson Hagood Stadium, The Citadel (2-3, 0-2) ranks third in the league in total defense, pass defense and interceptions and is tied for first in sacks.

"Our defense has done a lot of good things," Bulldogs coach Kevin Higgins said. "We have just given up probably three to four to five plays per game that have really hurt us."

The Bulldogs are allowing only 187 passing yards a game, and their pass defense is helped by having two of the top sack men in the SoCon.

Senior defensive end Erik Clanton is second in the league, and third nationally, with 6.5 sacks, and redshirt freshman linebacker Derek Douglas has 3.5.

Higgins said he anticipated a good season from Clanton, but Douglas, a converted defensive end, has been more of a surprise.

"[Douglas] has such a high motor," Higgins said, "and his ability to make plays from that position has been very good."

Mocs offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield is worried about pass protection, but he might be more concerned with Bulldogs cornerback Cortez Allen.

A preseason first-team all-conference pick, Allen had 13 tackles against the Mocs (2-2, 1-1) last season, and at 6-foot-2, 186 pounds he's one of the most physical corners in the SoCon.

"He beats the heck out of people out there," Satterfield said. "He's rangy and can run, and he's scary and he always lines up on our right, so we'll probably throw it to the left every single snap."

Much like the other triple-option teams in the league, The Citadel makes its defense even better with its offensive style. The Bulldogs lead the SoCon in time of possession with an average of 34 minutes, 26 seconds a game. That keeps their defense fresh and limits the opportunities of the opposing offense.

In last week's 24-13 loss to Western Carolina, The Citadel ran 75 plays, 25 more than the Catamounts.

"It's scary because you're looking at very limited possessions, and then when you have the ball you've got to make it count," Satterfield said. "If you go out there and it doesn't work just like clockwork, then your kids start pressing.

"They put so much pressure on you to not have any wasted possessions, it scares me to death. My hands are sweating right now thinking about it."

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