Today's Blue & White 11/4/2011

Today’s Blue & White

The Citadel Brigadier Foundation’s Official Electronic Newsletter

Friday, November 4, 2011

Opening Kickoff!

While Spike is still smiling from the convincing win over VMI and retention of the coveted Silver Shako last Saturday, he’s been around coaches entirely too long to know that one can’t dwell on last week’s game and now must look at heading to Statesboro and battling the always-tough Georgia Southern Eagles.

While it isn’t fair (or right) to look past Georgia Southern and the Homecoming Game against Samford on Nov. 12, know that the Bulldogs return to Williams-Brice Stadium on Nov. 19 to play the University of South Carolina in a 12 noon kickoff.  While we still have an ample supply of tickets, our pals at the Stray Dog Society are planning a bus trip (see below).

But before we can look at visiting the Gamecocks, the Clemson Tigers’ basketball team will be here on Nov. 16 for the home opener.  The Tigers haven’t played here since we renovated McAlister Field House in 1989, so this game is a “must-see” and we’ll look forward to competing against USC and Clemson in the same week.  Wouldn’t that be sensational to pull out a pair of wins against our two state rivals?

Speaking of basketball, we will have a new public address announcer this season as Summerville native Jimmie Guyton was selected after a series of auditions.  He will replace Sam Evans, who held the mic for 27 years.

As you’ve come to expect, we have another packed issue of news and notes, so enjoy and Go Bulldogs!!!

Citadel Visits Georgia Southern on Saturday

The Citadel and Georgia Southern meet for the 21^st time on Saturday, with this outing slated for 2 pm in Statesboro, Ga.  The series dates back to 1988 with the Eagles leading the all-time series by a 16-4 margin.  GSU has won four of the last five contests, including a 20-0 win at Johnson Hagood Stadium last season.  The last Citadel victory came on Oct. 28, 2006, when a late defensive stand forced a fourth-and-six pass attempt to sail out of bounds for the Citadel win, 24-21.

The last time the two teams met in Statesboro came in 2009 with a 13-6 Eagles win.  The Bulldogs have own only one time at Paulson Stadium, which came on Oct.25, 2003, when Nehemiah Broughton carried the ball 28 times for 127 yards and two scores, including the game winner with 1:09 left (28-24 win).

Bulldogs Prevail in the Military Classic of the South

The Citadel rushed for 380 yards on 58 total carries in its 41-14 rout of VMI on Saturday at Johnson Hagood Stadium giving the Bulldogs five consecutive wins over their military rival.

The Citadel deployed 11 different rushers as Rickey Anderson, Darien Robinson, Christian Graham and Ben Dupree all topped 50 yards.  Robinson and Dupree each had two touchdowns while Anderson led all Citadel rushers with 90 yards on eight carries.

The Bulldogs' defense recorded three sacks, one interception and broke up seven passes as the VMI offense struggled to move the ball through the air.  The Citadel held VMI to 12 first downs, compared to 21 for the hosts, and only 224 yards of total offense.

The Citadel also blocked three punts which led to scores.

For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.

 

Cass Couey Collects Honorable Mention FCS Punter Performer of the Week Honor

Redshirt junior punter Cass Couey earned honorable mention recognition for FCS Punter Performer of the Week by College Football Performance Awards (CFPA).

In Saturday's victory over Virginia Military Institute in the "Military Classic of the South," Couey, who hails from Tampa, Fla., boomed a pair of punts for a total of 105 yards (52.5 avg.).  Among those punts included a 54 yarder that placed the Keydets at their own 1-yard line at the 6:05 mark of the second quarter.  Earlier in the drive, Couey converted a Bulldogs fourth-and-three with a 12-yard scamper down the sidelines for a first down.

Couey currently ranks second in the Southern Conference in punting with an average of 42.6 yards per punt.  He has booted eight punts for 50 yards or more and placed 11 punts inside the 20-yard line.

Tickets to Citadel-USC Game Now Available

Remember the last time The Citadel played at South Carolina?  Yep, it was in 1990 and we pulled the amazing upset.  And remember how you felt that you didn’t attend?  Well, we’re not in the forecasting business and are not predicting an upset, but what if we did, and you missed it … again?

The Bulldogs trek to Williams-Brice Stadium on Nov. 19 for a noon kickoff, and you can be there to experience a tremendous game setting and a possible upset.  Call our Athletic Ticket Office today at 843/953-DOGS (3647) and reserve your seats for the Carolina game (tickets are $30 each).  You won’t want to miss this one!

 

Stray Dog Society Charters Bus for Citadel-USC Game

Join the Stray Dog Society on Saturday Nov. 19 for a bus ride to and from Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia for The Citadel-South Carolina game.  A chartered bus will take Citadel fans to Columbia in comfort and style.  The bus will leave The Citadel Alumni Center at 8am and arrive at the Alumni Association/Columbia Citadel Club Tailgate around 10 am.  After the game, which kicks off at noon, there will be some post-tailgate time before returning to Charleston by 7pm.  Save the driving hassle and costs of paying for parking, gas, food and all beverages.  The bus has a restroom on board. 

Cost for the trip is $50 per person, and this opportunity will sell out.  For additional information, please contact infor@citadelstraydog.com, and to sign-up, please refer to http://citadelstraydog.com/.

Note that the trip does not include the ticket to the game, which may be secured by calling The Citadel Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647).

 

Sweet Johnson Hagood Stadium Suite Is Available for Homecoming

An environmentally-controlled luxury suite at Johnson Hagood Stadium is available for Homecoming.  If you have an interest, please contact Associate Athletics Director John McAleer ’72 at 843/953-1354 or email him at john.mcaleer@citadel.edu.

 

Attention Suite & Club Seat Patrons

A limited number of single-game club seats are now available for purchase.  Only current suite and club seat holders are eligible to secure them.  Please contact Bryson Young in the Athletics Development Office at 843/953-6710 (byoung5@citadel.edu) for additional information and to request additional seats.

 

Basketball Begins With Exhibition Win over Tennessee Wesleyan

Freshman guard Ashton Moore scored a game-high 21 points behind six 3-pointers as The Citadel earned an 87-60 exhibition victory Tennessee Wesleyan at McAlister Field House on Saturday evening.  Moore was one of five players in double figures, along with Mike Groselle (15 points, 13 rebounds), DeVontae Wright (13 points), Lawrence Miller (12 points) and Cosmo Morabbi (10 points).

The Bulldogs capped off the victory by hitting 31-of-59 (52.5%) from the floor, including 14-of-30 from beyond the arc.  The freshman tandem of Moore (6-10) and Miller (4-7) paved the way for 14 Citadel 3-pointers.  Morabbi also returned to form, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers en route to 10 points.  Groselle led the team with 13 rebounds, while Jordan Robertson finished with seven to give the Bulldogs a decisive 48-28 edge on the glass.

For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.

 

 

Clemson-Citadel Basketball Tickets Are Now on Sale

Your basketball-playing Bulldogs will host state-rival and ACC member Clemson University on Wednesday night, Nov. 16, in McAlister Field House at 7:05 pm.  This is Clemson’s first appearance in McAlister since 1989 and they will be making their lone visit to Charleston on this trip.  Good seats are still available but they are going fast.  Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children (3-18) or with a college ID.  To order your tickets go to Etix.com, call (843)953-DOGS (3647) or stop by the Athletic Ticket Office that is located in McAlister Field House. 

 

Jimmie Guyton Selected As New Public Address Announcer for Basketball

After 30 auditions from interested individuals in the Charleston area, The Citadel has selected their new public address announcer for basketball: Jimmie Guyton.

Guyton's hire caps a two-week search, during which fans had the opportunity to apply in-person at McAlister Field House on the night of Monday, Oct. 24.

The Summerville native worked for nine years as a private disc jockey for Sonny's Mobile Music.  He has previous experience in working as a public address announcer, most recently for softball and volleyball events at Ashley Ridge High School.  Prior to that, Guyton served as the PA announcer for Fort Dorchester High softball games. He is a plant safety specialist for Alcoa in Goose Creek.

He replaces Sam Evans, who retired from his PA responsibilities having served for 27 years.

 

 

Vanessa Aponte, Mariana Garcia Collect SoCon Soccer Honors

Sophomores Vanessa Aponte and Mariana Garcia were both awarded Southern Conference soccer honors as Aponte was named to the All-Conference First Team while Garcia, last season's player and freshman of the year, earned second team honors.

Aponte accumulating impressive statistics that left her mark on the college’s record books.  Her 83 shots and 43 shots on goal this season is the most in program history, and she is now just 29 shots away from the career record.  The Orlando, Fla., native had two contests where she posted two goals in a single game, including a two-goal performance in the season finale against rival College of Charleston. The win marked the first victory in program history against the Cougars in 11 games.

Garcia, coming off her impressive freshman season, racked up another impressive campaign in her second year at The Citadel.  The Bogota, Colombia native tallied very similar statistics to Aponte, railing in seven goals on 71 shots (34 on goal).  Garcia recorded a two-goal performance against Chattanooga to help beat the Mocs, and capitalized on four game-winning goals including an 83^rd minute score that put The Citadel on top of the College of Charleston.

The sophomore most recently was named the top player to watch in the Southern Conference by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

 

Rifle Takes Third Place

The rifle team, led by junior captain Julia McCullohs, fired a team total of 2,245 on Saturday at the third Southeastern Air Rifle Conference match of the season held at the GMC Athletic Center in Milledgeville, Ga.

McCullohs, who recorded a 567 to lead all Bulldogs for the second time this season, was backed by freshman William Wutzer (561), senior captain Kristofer Small (559) and freshman Robert Jackson (558), who finished in the second, third and fourth spots for The Citadel, respectively.

Taking the crown for the third consecutive SEARC match was N.C. State University. Behind the Wolfpack was North Georgia College, who recorded a 2,248, then The Citadel, three points back with 2,245.  Clemson, who fired a 2,201, was next and host Georgia Military College finished with a 2,141.

For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.

 

 

Volleyball Falls to Davidson & Georgia Southern

Rachael Farrell and Amanda Rudnik, who each finished with seven kills, was a good showing but it wasn’t enough to overcome Davidson as the Wildcats emerged with a series of 25-16, 25-16 and 25-15 victories in Davidson on Sunday afternoon.

Farrell and Rudnik were joined up front by Jessica Maxwell, who notched six kills in 19 total attempts, as The Citadel finished with 27 team kills. Farrell was also instrumental on the defensive end with 11 digs, while Ise d'Angelo tallied nine digs.  Setter Alexa Dahlstrom handed out 22 assists to go along with six digs.

On Saturday in Statesboro, Farrell drove home a team-high 10 kills and finished with a .326 hitting percentage, but The Citadel fell to Georgia Southern, who completed a sweep by scores of 25-20, 25-16 and 25-23.

D'Angelo joined Farrell on the front row as she tallied five kills and a .364 attack percentage in 11 total attempts.  Kathryn Johnston and Emily Dalton added nine digs to anchor a Bulldogs defense that accounted for 38 team digs, while Dahlstrom handed out 20 assists.

For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.

 

 

Cross Country in SoCon Championships

Sophomore Danielle McKee led all Citadel runners with a personal-best time of 18:09, while junior Kyle Keene recorded a season-best time of 25:19 on Saturday at the Southern Conference Championship race held at Trophy Lakes on Johns Island.  The men's team finished the race in ninth place, while the women finished in 12^th.

McKee finished the race in 28^th place with an 18:09, which was more than one minute better than her first time running the Trophy Lakes course back on Sept. 10.  The sophomore closed out her second consecutive season as The Citadel’s leader in every race.

Behind McKee was Christina Shonbeck (19:42), Elizabeth Ordway (19:53), Nicole Ogilbee (19:59), Micah Wessinger (20:44), Erinn Carter (20:52), Emily Fields (20:59), and Jessica Loya (23:33).  The women finished in 12^th place with an average 5k race time of 19:41.

Keene bounced back strong after a midseason injury to take 23^rd place with a 25:18.  Behind Keene were Austin Waldrop (25:55), Atom Young (26:45), P.J. Wasilchak (27:04), Jordan Ashley (27:14), John Gatewood (27:26), Paul Fleckenstein (27:38), Raeven Lantz (27:51) and Brandon Rabon (28:11).  The men captured ninth place with an average 8k race time of 26:27.

For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.

 

Tennis’ Orces Wins Singles Championship at The Citadel Fall Invitational

David Orces won singles Flight-1 as the Bulldogs hosted The Citadel Fall Invitational at the Earle Tennis Center this past weekend.  This win marked Orces’ second singles championship in tournament play this fall.

Orces blasted through the first round of play as he defeated a rival from East Carolina (6-1, 6-1).  In the second day, the junior overtook a player from Georgia Southern in a come-from-behind victory (5-7, 6-3, 10-8), and in the finals, Orces defeated a player from South Carolina State in another come-from-behind victory (5-7, 6-3, 10-8).

In doubles play Orces and Peter Bleach paired for the third time this season and defeated a duo from Georgia Southern in Flight 1 in a close match, 9-8.  The victory marked their fourth doubles win as a duo this fall.  

For more information, please refer to www.CitadelSports.com.

 

TCBF Sponsors 21st Annual Citadel Homecoming Golf Tournament

The Citadel Brigadier Foundation will sponsor the 21^st Annual Homecoming Golf Tournament on Friday, Nov. 11, at Shadowmoss Golf Club.  Proceeds will benefit the Brigadier Foundation’s Memorial Fund. 

The event begins with sign-in from 7:30-8 am and the shotgun start commences at 8:30 am.  The tournament is a four-man, captain’s choice format and fee is $90/person and includes green and cart fees, a box lunch, beverages, a cap, balls, prizes and more. 

For additional information – including sponsorship opportunities – and to secure an application, please contact Gina Inabnett at 843/953-5277 or refer to http://www.citadelsports.com/information/2011_Homecoming_Golf_Tournament_Application.pdf.

 

5^th Annual Homecoming Jamboree Set for 11/11/11

Our good friends at the Stray Dog Society are presenting the 5^th Annual Homecoming Jamboree on Friday, Nov. 11, at the Visitor’s Center Bus Shed in downtown Charleston.  On tap will be a dinner, concert, open bar and good food for Stray Dog Society members, reunion classes and sponsors.  All proceeds benefit The Citadel, and for additional information on tickets, please visit www.CitadelStrayDog.com

 

Keep Up With Citadel Athletics

For the latest on all athletic events and giveaways, visit the official Facebook and Twitter accounts of The Citadel Athletics at www.facebook.com/citadelbulldogs and at www.twitter.com/citadelsports.  Also, the baseball and football teams now have their own Twitter accounts at www.twitter.com/citadelbaseball and www.twitter.com/citadelfootball.  Follow them today!

 

Bulldog Business Partners

The Citadel Brigadier Foundation has started the “Bulldog Business Partners” for the 2012-12 academic year and signed up are:

• Charleston Comfort Inn
• Charleston Crab House
• Piggly Wiggly

We encourage you to please stop by and thank our supporters.  If you want more information on how your business can partner with The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, please call us at 843/953-5277.

He Said It:

"It means a lot, not just to me but all our seniors and teammates.  I've never been part of The Citadel-VMI game, so it was great to have that emotion after a big win."

• Senior linebacker Tolu Akindele, after the convincing win over VMI.

 

"Having the trophy has been great.  But to be able to lift it up in triumph and victory is one of the greatest feelings in the world."

• Redshirt senior Quintin Turner, on the coveted Silver Shako.

"A blocked punt is a momentum changer.  It can swing the whole game around, and that's what it did today."

• Quarterback Ben Dupree, who guided the offense to 358 rushing yards, on the blocked punt(s).

 

“I always say that The Citadel gave me my start in coaching.  And VMI gave me my start in life.”

• Former Citadel football coach Bobby Ross (1973-77), a 1959 VMI graduate, who flipped the coin before Saturday’s kickoff.

"In playing the (3-4) defense, we wanted to get two bigger inside linebackers and we went out last year in recruiting to do that.  Carl (Robinson) and Carson (Smith) both have good height on them, and they are both physical guys who understand the game. They are much further ahead at this stage than some other guys we've had."

• Coach Higgins, on the development of freshmen Carl Robinson and Carson Smith.

Upcoming Birthdays 

Nov. 9             Caleb Davis                             Brigadier Foundation

Nov. 15           Raleigh Jackson                      Football

 

 

Upcoming Events

Nov. 11                       21^st Annual Homecoming Golf Tournament @Shadowmoss

Nov. 11                       5^th Annual Stray Dog Society Homecoming Jamboree

Jan. 28                         Alumni Basketball Game (McAlister Field House)   

Mar. 17                        2^nd Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest @Johnson Hagood Stadium

     

Have a Friend Who Might Be Interested?

Today’s Blue & White is the sister publication of the The Blue & White, the official publication of The Citadel Brigadier Foundation that is printed monthly.  In order to receive the printed version, one has to be a member of TCBF.  However, we’ve opened Today’s Blue & White to anyone and everyone who has a computer and who is interested in activities of TCBF and, of course, The Citadel’s Department of Athletics.  Today’s Blue & White is free.  All one has to do is sign up is to click on this link:  http://www.citadelsports.com/list-signup

Today’s Blue & White is the official electronic publication of The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, Inc. with its office located at The Citadel, McAlister Field House, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC  29409 (office 843/953-5277).

Publishers………….Jerry Baker & Larry Leckonby

Editor…………………Andy Solomon

Layout…………………Mike Petrini