Today's Blue & White October 28, 2011

Today’s Blue & White

The Citadel Brigadier Foundation’s Official Electronic Newsletter

Friday, October 28, 2011

Opening Kickoff!

Spike barks that this weekend is off to a terrific start!

First, he attended last night’s 30^th Memorial Fund Banquet that was held at the Holliday Center and he’ll return to that site for tonight’s 34^th Annual Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet.  He and approximately 379 of his closest friends will celebrate the enshrinement of track and football speedster Phillip Florence ‘90, baseball player Dallas McPherson ‘02, basketball standout Randy Nesbit ’80, and baseball and football star Tony Skole ’91, while former football coach Charlie Taaffe and supporter Tom McQueeney ‘74 enter as honorary members.

And then on Saturday, he’ll have great seats for the Military Classic of the South as longtime rival VMI returns to Johnson Hagood Stadium for a 1 pm showdown.  He’ll also have the chance to visit with former Citadel football coach (and VMI grad) Bobby Ross, who will be on hand to flip the coin prior to kickoff.

The soccer team had a bittersweet 3-2 victory over College of Charleston on Wednesday at WLI Field.  While the first win over our crosstown rival was thrilling, the win wasn’t enough to propel the Bulldogs to the league tournament.

Coach Chuck Driesell unveils his second Citadel basketball team on Saturday at 5 pm (right after the football game) in McAlister Field House as the Bulldogs entertain Tennessee Wesleyan in an exhibition game.  Admission is free.

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

Jeremy Buncum Named SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week

Jeremy Buncum from the football team has been named the Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week for October 26. He is the first student-athlete at The Citadel to win the award in the 2011-12 school year.

Buncum, a native of Charleston, helped The Citadel defense hold Western Carolina to just 236 total yards on Saturday, the lowest in any SoCon game this season.  The senior linebacker stripped Western Carolina's Michael Johnson of the ball on a fourth down in the fourth quarter and recovered the fumble, which would lead to a Bulldog touchdown.  It marked the second consecutive game Buncum recovered a fumble.

Knob Knowledge: Test Yours

Those of you that wear the ring should know this:  What do Citadel knobs outrank?

According to the Guidon, Citadel knobs outrank “the President’s cat, the Commandant’s dog and all the captains at VMI, Sir/Ma’am.”

We simply felt that a reminder was in order, given that we host VMI on Saturday at 1 pm.

Military Classic of the South Set for Saturday

The Citadel and VMI meet for the 77^th time on Saturday at Johnson Hagood Stadium, and the Bulldogs lead the all-time series, which began in 1920, by a 34-30-2 margin.  The Citadel has won five of the last six contests, with the most recent victory coming on Nov. 17, 2007 when the Bulldogs pounded the Keydets, 70-28, in Lexington, VA.

The last time the two teams played in Charleston was in 2006, when The Citadel whipped VMI, 48-21.  The Bulldogs have also won the last four matchups in Charleston with the last VMI victory coming in 1995, a 34-7 Keydet victory.  The last overall win for VMI came in 2002 when the Bulldogs fell, 23-21, in a two-year series in Charlotte, NC.

VMI is coached by Sparky Woods, who faced the Bulldogs when he coached at Appalachian State and then at the University of South Carolina.

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

Former Citadel Coach Bobby Ross to Participate in Pregame Coin Toss

Former Citadel head coach Bobby Ross will toss the coin prior to tomorrow’s game against the VMI Keydets.  One of the Bulldogs’ most popular coaches, who guided teams from 1973-77, is a 1959 graduate of VMI.  He and his family will be attending the game.

Bulldogs Smack Western Carolina on Gridiron

Five different Bulldogs rushed for a touchdown on Saturday as The Citadel racked up 435 rushing yards in a 35-7 romp over Western Carolina in Cullowhee, NC.

The Citadel scored on its first two possessions of the game and took a commanding 21-0 lead into halftime.  The 28-point margin of victory is the biggest for the Bulldogs in the all-time series with the Catamounts, surpassing the 25-point victory in 1991.  It is also the third victory for the Bulldogs in their last four road contests, dating back to the 2010 season.

The Citadel's ball-control, triple-option offense held onto the ball for just over 37 minutes, giving the Bulldogs a +14 in time of possession to wear on the Catamounts' defensive unit.

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

Derek Douglas Earns Honorable Mention Recognition

Defensive tackle Derek Douglas earned honorable mention recognition for FCS Defensive Lineman Performer of the Week by College Football Performance Awards (CFPA.  It marks the second time that Douglas has been honored by the CFPA this season, with the other coming in the opening week of the season against Jacksonville University.

In Saturday's road victory over Southern Conference foe Western Carolina, Douglas, a native of Garland, Texas, totaled four tackles, including three for a loss of seven yards. The redshirt sophomore was also credited with a quarterback hurry, and anchored a Citadel defense that limited the Catamounts to 236 yards of total offense, a season-low in a conference contest this season.  The Bulldogs held WCU to 61 yards on 38 rushing attempts, marking the third time this season that a Citadel opponent has not eclipsed 70 yards on the ground.

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!

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.

Soccer Tops CofC for First Time; Fails to Reach Playoffs

The soccer team posted its first-ever win over the College of Charleston, beating the Southern Conference rival Cougars, 3-2, on Wednesday at WLI Field.

However, the Bulldogs needed a loss or tie by Western Carolina on Wednesday to advance to the SoCon tournament, but did not get it.  WCU beat Appalachian State, 1-0.

In the Bulldogs’ season finale at home, they capitalized with two unanswered second-half goals to top their crosstown rivals.  The Citadel had lost all 10 previous meetings.

The Cougars scored in the 21st minute, and the Bulldogs tied it at 1-1 in the 34th minute, when Mariana Garcia’s shot deflected off CofC’s keeper onto the foot of Vanessa Aponte and in.  The Cougars went up, 2-1, in the 73rd minute, and the Bulldogs’ Aponte tied it at 2-2 in the 78th minute.  The game-winner was scored by Garcia, who took a cross pass from Anastasia Mesa and found the net’s top corner.

On Sunday afternoon in Greenville, The Citadel was unable to hold onto a 1-0 first half advantage as Furman's two second half scores lifted the Paladins over the Bulldogs, 2-1.   The Bulldogs came out hot in the first half as Hannah Warne crossed a beautiful pass into the box that pulled the Paladin keeper out of the net and allowed Jaslene Thiara to tap the ball in for her first goal of the season.

The Citadel would have plenty of opportunities to notch another goal, firing seven shots in the first half, including four off the foot of SoCon shot leader Vanessa Aponte.  The sophomore finished the game with eight shots, four of which were on goal.

Nicole Levermann railed in two goals to force a double-overtime draw against Wofford in a Friday night Southern Conference battle in Spartanburg.   Both teams came out firing under the lights, but the Bulldogs struck first in the 28^th minute with a goal from nine yards out off the foot of Levermann.  Karina Schneider was credited with the assist, her second of the season, to give the Bulldogs a quick 1-0 lead.

Just 10 minutes later, sophomore Ruth Leiva crossed a pass into the box that drew the Terriers’ goaltender out of net.  Levermann would capitalize on the open net to record her second goal of the game and third on the season to give the Bulldogs a commanding 2-0 lead just 38 minutes into the game.  Wofford would score once prior to the half, once in the second half and the winner in the second overtime.

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

Volleyball Falls to App State and Western Carolina

Junior Kaona Mercer finished with 14 kills and seven assisted blocks, but Southern Conference North Division foe Appalachian State earned the 3-1 victory (22-25, 25-14, 25-18 and 25-14) on Saturday evening at McAlister Field House.  Joining Mercer among statistical leaders for the Bulldogs was Rachael Farrell, who tallied eight kills and a .412 attack percentage offensively, while anchoring the defensive efforts with 15 digs.

The Citadel was highlighted by a defensive unit that finished with a 22-20 edge in assisted blocks.  Mercer, who finished with a  team-high seven,  was one of six Cadets who tallied multiple assisted blocks including Alexa Dahlstrom (four), Ise d'Angelo (three), Jessica Maxwell (three), Amanda Rudnik (two) and Farrell (two). The Dogs also finished with 40 digs, behind the combination of Farrell (15), d'Angelo (eight) and Dahlstrom (seven).

Rudnik tallied a team-high eight kills, but it was Western Carolina that emerged with a three-set victory by scores of 26-24, 25-16 and 25-17 on Friday evening at McAlister Field House.  The Bulldogs, hosting their annual "Dig Pink" match to support the Susan G. Komen breast cancer research.

Rudnik drove home eight kills in 16 attempts, while committing only two errors, to finish with a .375 attack percentage.  She was joined up front by the trio of Mercer (seven kills), Farrell (five kills) and Kathryn Johnston (five kills).  Johnston joined Rudnik with a solid hitting performance, limiting herself to one error in 12 total attempts to close with a .333 hitting percentage.  Defensively, The Citadel held a 44-40 edge on the Catamounts, behind 12 digs from Johnston and 11 by Mercer.

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

Rifle Falls to UAB in NCAA Open Match

The rifle team was downed by University of Alabama-Birmingham by a slim 2,235-2,222 margin on Saturday at the Inouye Marksmanship Center on campus.  The loss marked the first time that the Bulldogs suffered to the Blazers in four years.

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

Pelligrini Leads Cadets at Palmetto Intercollegiate

Competing at the Oak Point Golf Course on Kiawah Island, the golf team shot a final round of 324 to finish 17th (of 18) at the Palmetto Intercollegiate.  Earlier in the day, the Bulldogs completed second round action, after play was suspended Sunday evening due to darkness, with a 315.  The team finished with a combined total score of 956 (+92), led by Erica Pellegrini, who finished the 54-hole tournament tied for 32nd following a 227 (+11).

Alanna-Jean Keith tied for 79th carding rounds of 80, 80 and 84 (244; +28) and Bree Baumgartner tied for 82nd with an 86, 79 and 80 (245; +29).  Meanwhile, Kellie Anderson (250; +34), who shot an opening round 77, finished with rounds of 89 and 84.   

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

Basketball Picked in Sixth in SoCon South

We all know that it isn’t where one starts that counts, but the finish.

That said, we’ll be hunting at all of the teams ahead of us as the Southern Conference coaches selected Chattanooga and Davidson to lead the league’s North and South Divisions, respectively.

NORTH

1 Chattanooga                         (9)        64

2 Appalachian State                (2)       51

3 Western Carolina                 (1)        44

4 UNC Greensboro                             42

5 Elon                                                  29

6 Samford                                           16

SOUTH

1 Davidson                              (10)      65

2 College of Charleston          (2)        56

3 Georgia Southern                             42

4 Furman                                             34

5 Wofford                                           32

6 The Citadel                                      17

Preseason All-Conference

Keegan Bell, Chattanooga

Omar Carter, Appalachian State

Jake Cohen, Davidson

J.P. Kuhlman, Davidson

Willie Powers III, Georgia Southern

Drew Spradlin, Elon

Trey Sumler, Western Carolina

Omar Wattad, Chattanooga

Trent Wiedeman, College of Charleston

Antwaine Wiggins, College of Charleston

Player of the Year

Omar Carter, Appalachian State

Wrestling Picked Third in SoCon; Luvsandorj and Delaney Named Preseason All-Conference

The wrestling team was picked to finish third as voted on by the Southern Conference's wrestling coaches.  The coaches also voted on a 10-member preseason All-Southern Conference wrestling team which included 2011 Wrestler of the Year Turtogtokh Luvsandorj (174-pounds) and 2010 SoCon champion Odie Delaney (HWT).

Both are two-time NCAA qualifiers as Delaney, who hails from Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., returns after redshirting in the 2010-11 season.  He won the 2009 SoCon Championship at 197 pounds and the 2010 championship at heavyweight.  Luvsandorj, of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, moves to 174 pounds this season after capturing SoCon Wrestler of the Year honors at 165 pounds a season ago in which he went 38-10 and became the highest ranked wrestler in Citadel history.  In his freshman campaign, Luvsandorj captured the 157-pound title at the SoCon Championships.

Chattanooga was projected as the favorite to win the league's wrestling title for the eighth consecutive season.  The Mocs host the conference championship at The McKenzie Arena on March 13.

SoCon Wrestling Preseason Coaches Poll

1.         Chattanooga (4)                       34
2.         Appalachian State (3)              33
3.         The Citadel                              26
4.         Gardner-Webb                         17
5.         Campbell                                16
6.         VMI                                        15
7.         Davidson                                 6

SoCon Wrestling Preseason All-Conference Team

125       Demetrius Johnson, Chattanooga
133       Ryan Goodsell, VMI
141       Mike Kessler, Appalachian State
149       Dean Pavlou, Chattanooga
157       Dan Waddell, Chattanooga
165       Kyle Blevins, Appalachian State
174       Turtogtokh, Luvsandorj, The Citadel
184       Austin Trotman, Appalachian State
197       Niko Brown, Chattanooga
HWT     Odie Delaney, The Citadel  

TCBF to Sponsor 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:

"We talked all week about us getting off to a good start.  That was critical for us to be successful. Kevin (Hardy) did a nice job on the first kickoff return, got us some momentum, and our offense came out and did an excellent job executing."

• Coach Kevin Higgins, after beating Western Carolina, 35-7, on the road Saturday.

"(Quarterback) Ben Dupree was 10 of 11 on his option reads, we got the ball out on the perimeter, and the offensive line did a nice job from an assignment standpoint."

• Coach Higgins, on the offensive effort against Western Carolina.

“That comes up in a normal year-end evaluation.  But I think the conclusion is that The Citadel is in the right conference and in the right place with traditional rivals like Furman and Wofford, and with regional teams.”

• Director of Athletics Larry Leckonby, on The Citadel and our membership in the Southern Conference.

“The biggest games we have are still The Citadel games.  So that hasn’t changed, even after we left the SoCon.”

• VMI Director of Athletics Donny White.

Upcoming Birthdays

Nov. 3             Chuck Driesell                        Basketball

Nov. 9             Caleb Davis                           Brigadier Foundation

Nov. 15           Raleigh Jackson                     Football

Upcoming Events

Oct. 28                        34^th Hall of Fame Ceremony & Banquet @Holliday Alumni Center

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)   

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