CHARLESTON, S.C. (Sept. 10) – A slow start for the Bucs on Saturday saw them play catch-up all game long, but unfortunately The Citadel would hold on to win at home thanks to a last-second field goal to put them over 20-17.
Looking to make another statement in the SoCon, the No. 8-ranked Bucs (1-0) took on The Citadel Bulldogs (0-1) on Saturday afternoon. The Bucs struggled to convert early following a Bulldogs field goal on the opening drive. A successful 56-yard drive by the Bucs ended in heartbreak when the Bulldogs defense held the Bucs on a 4th and goal play at the one-yard line.
The incomplete pass by Bucs QB Tyler Riddell (Tampa, Fla.) to WR Isaiah Wilson (Norcross, Ga.) would come back to haunt the Bucs throughout the course of the game.
The Bucs would find themselves down 10-0 before a 75-yard drive would turn into a score on a two-yard pass by Riddell to a familiar target, WR Will Huzzie (Duluth, Ga.), who came down with a tough grab.
The Bucs would head to the locker room at half, trailing 10-7.
In a defensive showing in the third quarter, both teams would make it hard for their opponents to advance the ball. The Bulldogs would strike first, however, on a five yard run by RB Nkem Njoku and expand their lead back to 10.
It was Bucs RB Jacob Saylors (Jasper, Tenn.) that would reinvigorate the Bucs with a 56-yard touchdown on the ground to close the gap 14-17. Saylors would end the night with 24 carries for 187 yards and one touchdown.
With 7:39 to go, the Bucs would tie the game on a field goal by kicker Tyler Keltner (Tallahassee, Fla.).
After a three-and-out, the Bucs looked to strike on the opportunity, but the Bulldogs defense forced a punt and the offense would answer with a long 75-yard drive that was capped off with a 39-yard game-winning field goal by Bulldogs kicker Colby Kinter with 0:04 left in the fourth quarter. Final score 20-17.
The Bucs fall to 1-1 on the season and 1-1 in SoCon play ahead of their next game.
The Bucs will return home for another SoCon showdown against the Furman Paladins on Sept. 17. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium.
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