Citadel looks to correct last year’s mistakes

UTC defensive back Brandon Dowdell (17) breaks out ahead of Citadel's Gage Russell (93) during the Mocs' home football game against the Citadel Bulldogs at Finley Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC defensive back Brandon Dowdell (17) breaks out ahead of Citadel's Gage Russell (93) during the Mocs' home football game against the Citadel Bulldogs at Finley Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

By Gene Henley July 25, 2018 3 min read

A year after one of the best seasons in program history, The Citadel came back down to earth in 2017.

It was the wake-up call they needed headed into this year.

The Bulldogs claimed a share of the 2015 Southern Conference championship before winning it outright a season later. Last year, they won their first three games before losing six of their last eight.

The Citadel

2017 record: 5-6, 3-4 in SoCon Season opener: Sept. 1 at Wofford Date against UTC: Sept. 8 in Charleston, S.C., 6 p.m. Coming Thursday: East Tennessee State

Although they still led the league in rushing and finished second in the country with 294.6 yards per game, the Bulldogs finished last in the SoCon and 119th in the Football Championship Subdivision in red-zone scoring, with 21 touchdowns and four field goals in 41 trips inside an opponents’ 20-yard line.