2012 The Citadel Bulldogs football team

2012 The Citadel Bulldogs football
Conference Southern Conference
2012 record 7–4 (4–3 SoCon)
Head coach Kevin Higgins (8th season)
Offensive coordinator Bob Bodine
Offensive scheme Triple Option
Defensive coordinator Denny Doornbos
Base defense 4-2-5
Home stadium Johnson Hagood Stadium
(Capacity: 21,000)
2012 Southern Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
#6 Georgia Southern +^  6 –2     10 –4  
#9 Wofford +^  6 –2     9 –4  
#7 Appalachian State +^  6 –2     8 –4  
The Citadel  5 –3     7 –4  
Samford  5 –3     7 –4  
Chattanooga  5 –3     6 –5  
Furman  2 –6     3 –8  
Elon  1 –7     3 –8  
Western Carolina  0 –8     1 –10  
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
Rankings from The Sports Network FCS Poll

The 2012 The Citadel Bulldogs football team represented The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina in the 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bulldogs were led by eighth year head coach Kevin Higgins and played their home games at Johnson Hagood Stadium. They are a member of the Southern Conference. They finished the season 7–4, 4–3 in SoCon play to finish in a three way tie for fourth place.

Preseason

Recruiting

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Harrison Davis
OG		 Marietta, GA Walton High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 250 lb (110 kg) Oct 27, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 45
Preston Durham
OLB		 Inman, SC Chapman High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 201 lb (91 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
Brent O'Neal
ATH		 St. Petersburg, FL Canterbury School 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Jan 22, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:2/5 stars   ESPN grade: 74
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "ESPN – Citadel Football Recruiting 2012". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  • "2012 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 20, 2011.

    Polls

    The Citadel was picked eighth in the nine team Southern Conference by both the media and coaches.[1]

    All-SoCon selections

    Five Bulldogs were selected to the All-Conference teams by the coaches. C Mike Cellars, P Cass Couey, and DE Chris Billingslea were named to the first team while DT Derek Douglas and FB Darien Robinson were second team selections.[1]

    Schedule

    For the second year in a row, home games in September are scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff rather than the traditional 2:00 p.m. kickoff.

    Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
    September 1 6:00 PM Charleston Southern* Johnson Hagood Stadium • Charleston, SC BI W 49–14   14,264
    September 8 6:00 PM No. 3 Georgia Southern Johnson Hagood Stadium • Charleston, SC BI W 23–21   12,299
    September 15 3:30 PM at No. 8 Appalachian State No. 21 Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC W 52–28   24,137
    September 22 6:00 PM at NC State* No. 10 Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NC ESPN3 L 14–52   55,145
    September 29 6:00 PM Chattanooga No. 11 Johnson Hagood Stadium • Charleston, SC BI L 10–28   13,878
    October 6 3:00 PM at Samford No. 19 Seibert Stadium • Homewood, AL L 7–38   5,872
    October 13 2:00 PM Western Carolina Johnson Hagood Stadium • Charleston, SC BI W 45–31   12,578
    October 27 1:30 PM at No. 7 Wofford Gibbs Stadium • Spartanburg, SC ESPN3 L 21–24   9,658
    November 3 2:00 PM Elondagger Johnson Hagood Stadium • Charleston, SC BI W 38–24   14,853
    November 10 1:30 PM at VMI* Alumni Memorial Field • Lexington, VA (Military Classic of the South) W 27–24   7,863
    November 17 1:30 PM at Furman Paladin Stadium • Greenville, NC (Rivalry) ESPN3 W 42–20   8,127
    *Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from The Sports Network FCS Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

    [2]

    Game summaries

    Charleston Southern

    1 234Total
    Buccaneers 0 1400 14
    • Bulldogs 7 7287 49
    Overall record Last meeting Result
    4–1 2007 W 35–14

    The Citadel's season opened at home against Charleston Southern. The Bulldogs and Buccaneers met for the sixth time, with The Citadel holding a 4–1 advantage in the all-time series. The Citadel won the last meeting 35–14 in the 2007 opener. Charleston Southern claimed its only victory over the Bulldogs in 2006, a double–overtime win that is also the only home-opener loss for The Citadel under coach Kevin Higgins. The cross-town rivals have squared off to open the season three previous times, with The Citadel winning all three games.[3]

    As a result of six fumbles, two lost, the teams were tied at halftime despite The Citadel dominating all phases of the game. After the half, the Bulldogs scored four touchdowns in the third quarter to put the game out of reach. QB Ben Dupree rushed 17 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns, Rickey Anderson had 10 carries for 80 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Darien Robinson had 12 rushes for 120 yards and a touchdown. The Bulldogs passed just six times, completing three of them. QB Aaron Miller was 3 for 5 passing, completing passes to three different receivers. The Citadel did not punt in the game, missing one field goal. Charleston Southern QB Malcolm Dixon completed 6 of 14 passes for 123 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Chase Jones had two catches for 77 yards and a touchdown.

    Georgia Southern

    1 234Total
    #3 Eagles 7 707 21
    • Bulldogs 14 333 23
    • Date: September 8
    • Location: Johnson Hagood Stadium, Charleston, SC
    • Game start: 6:00 PM EST
    • Game attendance: 12,299
    • Game weather: Mostly Cloudy, 83°
    • Referee: Duane Heydt
    Overall record Last meeting Result
    4–17 2011 L 12–14

    The Bulldogs hosted #3 Georgia Southern in the SoCon opener for both schools. The two teams return two of the top three rushing attacks in the country (and the conference as Wofford is the other) and run the same Triple Option scheme on offense. The Eagles entered with a commanding 174 record against The Citadel, including a pair of playoff victories over the Bulldogs in 1988 and 1990. Last year, Georgia Southern held off The Citadel 14–12 in Statesboro as the Bulldogs missed a field goal in a swirling wind with seconds remaining. The last Citadel victory in the series was a 24–21 win in Charleston in 2006. Georgia Southern had won five in a row, but four of those were by less than a touchdown. The Citadel had lost nine consecutive home conference games.[4]

    The Citadel forced two turnovers in the first quarter, converting both fumbles into touchdowns for a quick 14–0 lead. Georgia Southern scored three touchdowns, while The Citadel kicked a pair of field goals to trail 21–20 late. Thomas Warren kicked a 37-yard field goal for a 23–21 lead with 35 seconds remaining, nearly the identical situation to the 2011 meeting when Warren missed a 37-yard attempt with 13 seconds left which would have won. Georgia Southern returned the ensuing kickoff into Bulldog territory, but missed their own 31-yard field goal attempt as time ran out, sealing The Citadel's win. The Bulldogs entered the 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football rankings for the first time since 2008.

    Appalachian State

    1 234Total
    • #21 Bulldogs 14 24140 52
    #8 Mountaineers 0 7714 28
    • Date: September 15
    • Location: Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, NC
    • Game start: 3:30 PM EST
    • Game attendance: 24,137
    • Game weather: Partly Cloudy, 70°
    • Referee: Ted Pitts
    Overall record Last meeting Result
    11–29 2011 L 42–49

    The Citadel made its first road trip of the season to Boone, NC, where the Bulldogs had not won since their last SoCon championship season of 1992. The Mountaineers entered claiming eight victories in a row and 17 of 18 against The Citadel. This was the second game of a daunting three game stretch for The Citadel, playing the teams picked to finish first and second in the league followed by a trip to FBS NC State. Last season, Appalachian State raced to a 49–14 lead in the third quarter before The Citadel stormed back with four unanswered touchdowns led by QB Aaron Miller before running out of time, losing 49–14.[5]

    The Bulldogs raced to an early 24–0 lead, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions before being limited to a field goal on their fourth while holding App State scoreless. The Mountaineers punted again on their fourth possession, but LB Carson Smith blocked the kick and returned it for a touchdown to extend The Citadel lead to 31–0. The Citadel added three more touchdowns before the end of the third quarter, while App State finally broke through against The Citadel's reserve defense late in the game, scoring a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The Citadel amassed 618 yards of offense, its most ever in a regulation game and just 23 yards short of the all-time record in an overtime game against Furman. The Bulldogs option offense gained 463 yards on the ground, with three backs each recording over 100 yards and WR Matt Thompson adding 123 yards receiving. App State's home win streak of 18 games was snapped, and The Citadel won in Boone for the first time since 1992.

    NC State

    1 234Total
    #10 Bulldogs 7 070 14
    • Wolfpack 21 21010 52
    Overall record Last meeting Result
    0–4 1983 L 0–45

    The Bulldogs travel to Raleigh, NC for the fourth time, having once played NC State in Wilmington, NC. The Wolfpack has claimed victories in all four meetings between the schools, most recently a 1983 win by 45–0. The three previous meetings were all prior to World War II. The Citadel has not defeated an FBS opponent since 1992, when they stunned Arkansas and defeated Army. The Citadel has not defeated an Atlantic Coast Conference school since the conference was formed by seven Southern Conference schools in 1953. The Bulldogs have claimed seven wins over current ACC schools, with six of those wins coming against Clemson, most recently in 1931.

    Chattanooga

    1 234Total
    • Mocs 0 1477 28
    #11 Bulldogs 3 070 10
    • Date: September 29
    • Location: Johnson Hagood Stadium, Charleston, SC
    • Game start: 6:00 PM EST
    • Game attendance: 13,878
    • Game weather: Partly cloudy, humid, 82°
    • Referee: Ed Rhodes
    Overall record Last meeting Result
    17–26–2 2011 W 28–27

    Samford

    1 234Total
    #19 Bulldogs (Cit) 0 070 7
    • Bulldogs (Sam) 7 71014 38
    • Date: October 6
    • Location: Seibert Stadium, Homewood, AL
    • Game start: 3:00 PM EST
    • Game attendance: 5,872
    • Game weather: Overcast, 65°
    • Referee: Thomas Graham
    Overall record Last meeting Result
    3–2 2011 L 14–19

    Western Carolina

    1 234Total
    Catamounts 0 1777 31
    • Bulldogs 7 10721 45
    • Date: October 15
    • Location: Johnson Hagood Stadium, Charleston, SC
    • Game start: 2:00 PM EST
    • Game attendance: 12,578
    • Game weather: Partly Cloudy, 75°
    • Referee: Ted Pitts
    Overall record Last meeting Result
    20–15–1 2011 W 35–7

    Wofford

    1 234Total
    Bulldogs 7 707 21
    • #7 Terriers 14 1000 24
    • Date: October 27
    • Location: Gibbs Stadium, Spartanburg, SC
    • Game start: 1:30 PM EST
    • Game attendance: 9,658
    • Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 72°
    • Referee: Larry Saunders
    • TV announcers (ESPN3): Darren Goldwater, Paul Maguire
    Overall record Last meeting Result
    40–23–1 2011 L 14–43

    Elon

    1 234Total
    Phoenix 3 3117 24
    • Bulldogs 14 1077 38
    • Date: November 3
    • Location: Johnson Hagood Stadium, Charleston, SC
    • Game start: 2:00 PM EST
    • Game attendance: 14,853
    • Game weather: Sunny, 65°
    • Referee: Ed Rhodes
    Overall record Last meeting Result
    6–5 2011 L 15–18 (OT)

    VMI

    1 234Total
    • Bulldogs 7 1073 27
    Keydets 3 0714 24
    Overall record Last meeting Result
    35–30–2 2011 W 41–14

    Furman

    1 234Total
    • Bulldogs 14 7714 42
    Paladins 14 330 20
    • Date: November 17
    • Location: Paladin Stadium, Greenville, SC
    • Game start: 1:30 PM EST
    • Game attendance: 8,127
    • Game weather: Sunny, 57°
    • Referee: Thomas Graham
    • TV announcers (ESPN3): Darren Goldwater, Doug Chapman
    Overall record Last meeting Result
    31–57–3 2011 L 6–16

    Coaches

    The Bulldogs saw two coaches depart in the offseason, with Defensive Coordinator/safeties coach Josh Conklin departing for Tennessee[6] and Tight Ends coach Raleigh Jackson accepting the linebackers coach position at Division II Slippery Rock.[7] The Bulldogs added John Hauser from Wayne State to coach safeties.[8] Defensive line coach Denny Doornbos added Defensive Coordinator responsibilities.

    NamePositionAlma MaterYear
    Kevin HigginsHead CoachWest Chester8th
    Denny DoornbosAssistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Defensive LineWestern Michigan3rd
    Bob BodineOffensive Coordinator/Offensive LineTulane3rd
    Aashon LarkinsSpecial Teams Coordinator/LinebackersLehigh7th
    Craig CandetoQuarterbacks/Defensive BacksUnited States Naval Academy2nd
    Bill MottolaSlot BacksSpringfield College2nd
    J.P. GunterWide Receivers/Recruiting CoordinatorLenoir–Rhyne3rd
    Scott YieldingTight EndsThe Citadel1st
    Gerald DixonCornerbacksAlabama5th
    John HauserSafetiesWittenberg1st
    Chad WheelerAssistant Defensive CoachFlorida State2nd
    Cody WorleyOffensive Quality ControlFurman2nd
    Jesse JohnsonDefensive Quality ControlMichigan State1st
    Mickey McDermottSpecial Teams Quality ControlCharleston Southern2nd
    Eli CrawfordAssistant Special Teams Quality ControlValparaiso1st
    Donnell BoucherStrength & ConditioningWorcester State6th

    Roster

    2012 The Citadel Bulldogs football team roster
    Players Coaches
    Offense
    Pos.#NameClass
    QB 2 Ben Dupree Jr
    WR 3 Domonic Jones Jr
    QB 4 Parker Gaston Sr
    WR 5 Matt Thompson Jr
    WR 6 Greg Adams Sr
    RB 8 Dalton Trevino So
    WR 11 Douglas German Sr
    QB 12 Aaron Miller So
    WR 14 Drew McCluskey Fr
    RB 16 Vinny Miller Fr
    QB 17 Trey White Fr
    RB 18 Dylan Busby Fr
    QB 19 Julian Walker Fr
    RB 20 Te'Myrick Mosley Fr
    RB 21 Rickey Anderson Sr
    FB 22 Darien Robinson Jr
    FB 23 Terrell Dallas Sr
    FB 24 Shaunn Middleton So
    RB 25 Terrance Martin Jr
    RB 26 Jake Stenson Jr
    WR 29 John Cyre So
    RB 32 Van Dyke Jones Sr
    OL 50 Mike Sellers Jr
    OL 51 Brooks Bonnette So
    OL 53 Sam Frye Fr
    OL 54 Charles Coleman So
    OL 55 Keith Carter Jr
    OL 56 Michael Mabry Fr
    OL 57 Kyle Weaver Fr
    OL 63 Emmet Howle Fr
    OL 65 Jim Knowles Jr
    OL 67 Victor Hill Jr
    OL 68 Nick Rudman So
    OL 71 Jack Taylor Fr
    SR 73 Neal Strange Sr
    OL 74 Robert Finke Jr
    OL 75 Harrison Davis Fr
    OL 76 Devin Bice Jr
    OL 78 Elliott Thomas So
    TE 81 Alex Glover So
    WR 82 Brandon Eakins Fr
    WR 83 Trent Butler Fr
    TE 84 Cullen Brown Jr
    TE 85 Capers Williamson So
    WR 87 Paul Brown Fr
    		 Defense
    Pos.#NameClass
    DB 1 Sadath Jean-Pierre Jr
    DB 4 Akeem Garnett So
    DB 7 Keith Gamble Sr
    LB 9 Carson Smith So
    DB 10 Adrian Ranson Fr
    DB 13 Cody Richardson Fr
    DB 23 Mike Adams Jr
    LB 26 Yemi Oyengunle Sr
    DB 27 Nick Willis Fr
    DB 28 Julian Baxter So
    LB 29 Carl Robinson So
    LB 31 Hunter Shepherd Fr
    LB 33 Doyen Harris So
    LB 34 Preston Durham Fr
    LB 37 Joe Crochet Fr
    DB 38 Martin Fosberry Sr
    DB 39 Dondray Copeland Fr
    LB 40 Rah Muhammad So
    DB 41 Walker Smith So
    DB 42 Austin Boyle Sr
    DB 43 Davis Boyle Sr
    JR 44 Bay Amrhein Jr
    DB 45 Brandon McCladdie Jr
    LB 46 Ian Thompson So
    LB 47 Caleb Bennett Fr
    LB 48 Taylor Jurney Fr
    DB 48 Will Turner So
    LB 49 James Riley Fr
    LB 53 Isaac Minor So
    LB 55 Stephen Rohrlack So
    LB 58 Austin Harrell Fr
    DL 61 Edward Kim So
    DL 62 Mitchell Jeter Fr
    DL 72 Cameron Mobley So
    DL 77 Chris Billingslea Sr
    DL 87 Paul Brown Fr
    DL 88 Zach Carter Fr
    DL 90 Austin Knisley So
    DL 91 Derek Douglas Jr
    LB 92 Mark Thomas Fr
    DL 93 Sammy Ojjeh So
    LB 94 Aaron Perry Fr
    DL 95 Colin Parsons Fr
    DL 96 Justin Oxendine So
    DL 97 Joe Phillips Fr
    LB 98 Koty Allen Fr
    		 Special teams
    Pos.#NameClass
    K 30 Thomas Warren Sr
    K 35 Mason Wachter So
    P 36 Cass Couey Sr
    LS 51 Stiles Monteith So
    LS 52 Thomas Oswald Sr
    LS 53 Austin Wiles Jr
    LS 60 Hunter Morris Fr
    P 86 Austin Jordan Fr
    K 99 Eric Goins Fr
    Head coach

    Kevin Higgins

    Coordinators/assistant coaches

    Denny Doornboos (DC)
    Bob Bodine (OC)
    Aashon Larkins (ST)

    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • Injured
    • Redshirt

    Roster
    Last update: August 15, 2012

    Awards and honors

    SoCon Players of the Week

    Week One

    • Chris Billingslea, Defense

    Week Two

    • Thomas Warren, Freshman

    Week Three

    • Ben Dupree, Offense
    • Carson Smith, Defense

    All-Americans

    • AFCA - Mike Sellers, C

    Ranking Movements

    Ranking movements
    Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
    NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. ( ) = First place votes.
    Week
    Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Final 
    Sports Network RV RV 21 10 11 19 RV RV RV  
    Coaches NR NR 23 14 15 22 RV RV RV

    References

    1. 1 2 Hartsell, Jeff (July 27, 2012). "Picked 8th in SoCon, Citadel Seeks Breakthrough Football Season". The Post and Courier. Charleston. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
    2. ↑ "2012 Football Schedule". The Citadel Department of Athletics. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
    3. ↑ "The Citadel Kicks Off 2012 Season Saturday Against Charleston Southern" (PDF). The Citadel Department of Athletics. August 30, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
    4. ↑ "The Citadel Hosts Nationally-Ranked Georgia Southern in SoCon Opener". The Citadel Department of Athletics. September 6, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
    5. ↑ "Bulldogs Hit the Road for Tough Test at Appalachian State". The Citadel Department of Athletics. September 13, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
    6. ↑ "Josh Conklin Accepts Position on University of Tennessee Coaching Staff". The Citadel Department of Athletics. March 9, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
    7. ↑ "Raleigh Jackson Accepts Coaching Position at Slippery Rock". The Citadel Department of Athletics. March 27, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
    8. ↑ "John Hauser Joins Citadel Football Coaching Staff". The Citadel Department of Athletics. April 2, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
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