The Citadel's Final Showdown: Can They Bounce Back?

The Citadel football team is gearing up for their last game of the season against East Tennessee State (ETSU). After a tough loss to Wofford, the team is determined to finish strong. The Bulldogs are not happy with their recent performance. They had trouble starting strong and finishing plays, especially near the end zone. Coach Maurice Drayton admitted that the game did not meet their high standards. He and his coaching staff are taking responsibility for the mistakes. The team is focused on improving and moving forward. The Bulldogs have a chance to end the season with a winning record in their conference. To do this, they need to beat ETSU on Saturday. Coach Drayton emphasized the importance of a strong response this week. He expects the team to play with toughness, purpose, and a strong work ethic. The coach believes that how the team responds to this loss will define their season and the program's future. He is confident in the team's ability to overcome setbacks and build a strong foundation. After every game, the coaching staff reviews the footage and sends any disputed calls to the Southern Conference (SoCon) office. Coach Drayton takes pride in the staff's knowledge of the rules. They review calls every week and believe they are accurate about 90% of the time. He understands that officials make mistakes, just like players and coaches do. One controversial play against Wofford involved a touchdown call that was reviewed but upheld due to a lack of clear camera angles. The coach plans to invest in pylon cameras for next season to avoid such issues. Wide receiver Jihad Marks has been a standout player in the last month. For the third time in four games, he has achieved over 100 yards in receiving. His impressive performances have caught the attention of NFL scouts. Coach Drayton wishes they had recruited Marks earlier, as his development has been remarkable. The 6-1, 210-pound graduate student is averaging 34. 8 yards per catch. The coach believes Marks has the potential to play at the next level. Another player who has stepped up in the second half of the season is running back Beau Herrington. Herrington transferred from Allen, where he was a key player. He has rushed for 319 yards and a touchdown, averaging 5. 0 yards per carry. Coach Drayton's son, Montrel, who served as an equipment manager at Allen, recommended Herrington. The coach credits Montrel for recruiting Herrington, describing him as dynamic, electric, and slippery. The goal is to get the ball in his hands as much as possible.