I said last in last week’s preview that Clemson football could not afford to come out slow. They did just that. Not in the first half, no. That was a great half through the air for Cade Klubnik. The Tigers were up 10 on the road against a good 7-2 team.
And then the second half started and the Tigers offense turned completely inept. Give credit to Pitt for their stifling defense. They sold out to stop the run, and did just that. They did a nice job of getting bodies to Klubnik, obviously affecting the quarterback.
Pitt was able to get through the Clemson defense to even take the lead late in the fourth quarter 20-17. That’s when Klubnik took the game on himself and won it with a 50 yard scamper, beautifully blocked by the offensive line and notably TJ Moore on the outside for a 24-20 Clemson win.
This week’s opponent, on Military Appreciation Day, is the Citadel Bulldogs.
Here is your preview of Clemson’s Week 13 Opponent, the Citadel Bulldogs.
Citadel Bulldogs (5-6; 3-5 Southern Conference)
Head Coach: Maurice Drayton (2nd Season)
Location: Death Valley, Clemson, SC
Time: 3:30PM
Wins against: Charleston Southern, North Greenville, VMI, Samford, Wofford
Losses against: South Carolina State, Mercer, ETSU, Furman, Western Carolina, Chattanooga
Offense
Offensive Coordinator – Patrick Covington (2nd Season) / Lamar Owens (2nd Season)
In their first season’s as Co-Coordinators, this triple option offense is not very impressive based solely on their numbers, however, this will be the only time Clemson sees this style of offense this season. Quarterback Johnathan Bennett leads the team in passing and rushing. This offense goes as Bennett goes.
The Citadel is averaging 313.7 total yards per game (99th in the FCS*), with 148.9 (110th in FCS) coming through the air and 164.8 (44th in FCS) on the ground. The Bulldogs have scored 22.2 points per game (86th in FCS).
*There are 123 teams in the FCS.
Here is a look at the projected starters for the Bulldogs on offense:
| Position | Name (#) | Year | 2024 Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Johnathan Bennett (11) | Graduate | 119-229, 1604 yds, 7 TDs, 7 Ints; 134 rushes, 503 yds, 4 TDs |
| Running Back | Corey Ibrahim (42) | RS Sophomore | 98 rushes, 382 yds, TD; 14 catches, 121 yds |
| Running Back | Cooper Wallace (27) | Graduate | 85 rushes, 387 yds, 4 TDs; 9 catches, 75 yds. |
| Wide Receiver | Malachi Taylor (5) | RS Senior | 7 catches, 95 yds |
| Wide Receiver | Dervon Pesnell (7) | Graduate | 24 catches, 443 yds, TD |
| Wide Receiver | Javonte Graves-Billips (0) | RS Junior | 29 catches, 339 yds, 3 TDs |
| Tight End | Cole England (49) | RS Junior | No stats |
| Left Tackle | Darwin Murillo (75) | Sophomore | |
| Left Guard | Nico Rodriguez-Pena (63) | Sophomore | |
| Center | Mike Bartilucci (57) | RS Sophomore | |
| Right Guard | Sawyer Whitman (65) | Junior | |
| Right Tackle | Cameron Moewe | Graduate |
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Raleigh Jackson (2nd Season)
Coach Jackson employs a traditional 4-3 defense. They are an attacking defense, led by do-everything linebacker, Thomas Wyatt. They are a ball-hawking defense, with 7 interceptions, 3 of which coming from Wyatt.
Where the offense struggles, the defense picks up. A clear strength to the team.
The Citadel is allowing 20.6 points per game to their opponents (19th in FCS). They allow a total of 343.2 yards per game (44th in FCS), 144.7 on the ground (51st) and 198.5 (42nd)
Here is a look at the projected starters along with their statistics for the Bulldog defense:
| Position | Name (#) | Year | 2024 Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defensive End | Chris Benton (91) | Sophomore | 10 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, FR |
| Defensive Tackle | Jordan Marks (76) | Senior | 13 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, sack |
| Defensive Tackle | Chris Iverson (93) | RS Junior | 18 tackles, 4 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, FR |
| Defensive End | DaVontae Pettis (37) | Sophomore | 20 tackles, 5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, FF |
| Linebacker | Giovanni Ricciardi (52) | Graduate | 31 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, sack, Int, FF, FR |
| Linebacker | Thomas Wyatt (2) | Senior | 88 tackles, 11 TFLs, 4 sacks |
| Nickleback | Dominick Poole (19) | Graduate | 58 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 3 Ints, FF |
| Cornerback | Melvin Ravenel (3) | RS Junior | 22 tackles, TFL |
| Safety | Evan Byrd (16) | Graduate | 47 tackles, TFL, Int |
| Safety | Cale Williams (31) | Junior | 74 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, Int |
| Cornerback | Bradlee Jones (34) | Sophomore | 24 tackles, 0.5 TFL, FR |
The Citadel is a +1 in turnover margin on the season and has 15 takeaways (T-55th in FCS) with 7 interceptions and 8 fumble recoveries. They have 14 turnovers, 7 fumbles and 7 interceptions on the season.
Special Teams
Here is a look at the projected starters on Special Teams for the Bulldogs: .
| Position | Name (#) | Year | 2024 Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kicker | Ben Barnes (87) | RS Sophomore | 14-24, long of 49 yds. |
| Punter | James Platte (90) | Graduate | 42 punts, 49.9 yd avg. Long of 69 yds. |
| Punt Returner | Brayton Knauth (83) | Freshman | 18 returns, 6.4 yd. avg. Long of 17 yds. |
| Kick Returner | Braylon Knauth (83) | Freshman | 23 returns; 19.9 yd avg. Long of 43 yds. |
Summary
The money game. A game that Clemson should get healthy with. However, the hokey triple option brings with it chop blocks for defensive linemen and we all are well aware that a few of those blocks have hampered the depth of the Tigers defense. The Citadel is a true middle of the pack FCS team, and therefore should be no match to the Tigers. Expect to see the starters on offense for only a half, should things go as plan.
This is a game that we may not see some guys that are “dinged” as Dabo likes to say to get them healthy for the state championship game a week from now.
No statements need to be made this weekend. Just take care of the football, take care of the scoreboard, and take care of the bodies. The Tigers should win big against the over-matched Citadel Bulldogs.
