2021 FCS Season Preview: The Citadel
The Citadel was expecting to make a little jump and be a playoff contender in 2020 after hovering around .500, but the emergence of COVID made for a long fall and spring season, where they played a grand total of 11 games. The Citadel really struggled through their season. But they never quit and played their entire schedule.
In a potentially wide open Southern Conference, The Citadel is hoping for a bounce back and an opportunity to compete week after week. They will roll out their usual triple option. Last year the Bulldogs scored 16 points per game and allowed 30. Not being able to score as well as not being able to keep the other team off the board is a recipe for disaster.
Impact Players
LB Willie Eubanks is one of the best defensive players in the FCS. He has led The Citadel in tackles throughout his career and probably will do so again today.
QB Jaylan Adams isn’t exceptional in the pass game, but The Citadel runs the triple option and Adams is the leading rusher. Adams ran for 9 touchdowns but needs to take a step forward throwing the ball.
WR Raleigh Webb is the go to guy when The Citadel actually does throw the ball. Despite being basically the only option, Webb is able to go make the catches. Of the 40 completions last season, 17 were to Webb.
Key Game: October 2 vs. VMI
The Citadel
| Home | Time/Results | Away | Venue | Match Day | TV/Streaming | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Citadel  | 14 - 52 |  Coastal Carolina | Brooks Stadium | Conway, SC | - | - |
Charleston Southern  | 38 - 21 | The Citadel | Johnson Hagood Stadium | Charleston, SC | - | - |
North Greenville  | The Citadel | Johnson Hagood Stadium | Charleston, SC | - | - | |
VMI  | The Citadel | Johnson Hagood Stadium | Charleston, SC | - | - | |
| The Citadel |  East Tennessee State | William B. Greene Stadium | Johnson City, TN | - | - | |
| The Citadel |  Furman | Paladin Stadium | Greenville, SC | - | - | |
Western Carolina  | The Citadel | Johnson Hagood Stadium | Charleston, SC | - | - | |
Mercer  | The Citadel | Johnson Hagood Stadium | Charleston, SC | - | - | |
| The Citadel |  Samford | Seibert Stadium | Birmingham, AL | - | - | |
Wofford  | The Citadel | Johnson Hagood Stadium | Charleston, SC | - | - | |
| The Citadel |  Chattanooga | Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, TN | - | - | |
| The Citadel | VMI | Alumni Memorial Stadium | - | - | - |
Worst Case: They keep struggling on both sides of the ball and finish with one or two wins.
Best Case: The Bulldogs get back on track, beat VMI, and finish around .500.
Jamie is a proud 2002 graduate of James Madison University. He’s witnessed the growth of the program from no one in the stands in 1998, to the hiring of Mickey Matthews, to the 2004 National Championship, to the 2008 team, to the struggles in the early 2010s, and finally the rebuild under Mike Houston. He also allegedly really enjoys Washington, DC-based Stanley Cup winners.
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