CollegeFootballDigestfrom CooperSearch

Western Carolina at The Citadel

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Western Carolina beat The Citadel 49–⁠14. It was their 27th meeting; after it, The Citadel led the series 17–⁠10.

AwayWestern Carolina7–⁠4 in 2023
49
HomeThe Citadel0–⁠11 in 2023
14

Final at Johnson Hagood Stadium, CharlestonTV: ESPN+Attendance 12,317

At kickoff
84°F, clear, wind 10 mph from the northeastWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Charleston Executive Airport (KJZI), 11 km from the stadium
Official
Jerry WelamakerGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Western Carolina14217749
The Citadel707014

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

Western Carolina

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Cole Gonzales22/2823710
Brody Palhegyi7/107111
Stephen Brantley1/1000
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Desmond Reid18167523
Branson Adams126108
Markel Townsend414010
Brody Palhegyi21007
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Censere Lee683019
Calvin Jones565019
A.J. Colombo540122
Desmond Reid328012

The Citadel

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Graeson Underwood11/169110
Cooper Wallace1/11200
Varney Layman0/1000
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Graeson Underwood728010
Cooper Wallace724016
Romello Jones224020
Varney Layman222014
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Cooper Wallace344131
Tyson Trottier119019
Malachi Taylor112012
Ricky Conway21107
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Dominick Poole0001

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

Western CarolinaThe Citadel
569Total yards226
308Passing yards103
261Rushing yards123
7.9Yards per pass5.7
6.7Yards per rush4.1
35First downs17
4–⁠9Third downs5–⁠10
3–⁠5Fourth downs1–⁠2
1Turnovers1
7–⁠75Penalties6–⁠60
33:36Possession22:43

Efficiency

Western CarolinaThe Citadel
66%Success rate43%
0.40EPA per play0.04
0.97Explosiveness0.91
0.66Rushing EPA0.02
0.23Passing EPA0.06
42%Passing-down success29%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Western Carolina 71% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

Every drive

The Citadel end zoneWestern Carolina end zoneQ1 Western CarolinaTouchdown, 8 playsQ1 The CitadelTouchdown, 8 playsQ1 Western CarolinaTouchdown, 11 playsQ2 The CitadelResult not recorded, 8 playsQ2 Western CarolinaTouchdown, 9 playsQ2 The CitadelPunt, 6 playsQ2 Western CarolinaTouchdown, 5 playsQ2 The CitadelPunt, 3 playsQ2 Western CarolinaTouchdown, 7 playsQ2 The CitadelEnd of half, 2 playsQ3 The CitadelPunt, 3 playsQ3 Western CarolinaTurnover on downs, 8 playsQ3 The CitadelFumble, 4 playsQ3 Western CarolinaTouchdown, 12 playsQ3 The CitadelTouchdown, 8 playsQ3 Western CarolinaTouchdown, 12 playsQ4 The CitadelPunt, 3 playsQ4 Western CarolinaInterception, 10 playsQ4 The CitadelResult not recorded, 7 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. The Citadel drives left to right, Western Carolina right to left.
  1. Q1 Western CarolinaTouchdown, 8 plays, 72 yards
  2. Q1 The CitadelTouchdown, 8 plays, 72 yards
  3. Q1 Western CarolinaTouchdown, 11 plays, 73 yards
  4. Q2 The CitadelResult not recorded, 8 plays, 8 yards
  5. Q2 Western CarolinaTouchdown, 9 plays, −17 yards
  6. Q2 The CitadelPunt, 6 plays, 10 yards
  7. Q2 Western CarolinaTouchdown, 5 plays, 48 yards
  8. Q2 The CitadelPunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
  9. Q2 Western CarolinaTouchdown, 7 plays, 42 yards
  10. Q2 The CitadelEnd of half, 2 plays, 0 yards
  11. Q3 The CitadelPunt, 3 plays, 3 yards
  12. Q3 Western CarolinaTurnover on downs, 8 plays, 45 yards
  13. Q3 The CitadelFumble, 4 plays, 66 yards
  14. Q3 Western CarolinaTouchdown, 12 plays, 85 yards
  15. Q3 The CitadelTouchdown, 8 plays, 62 yards
  16. Q3 Western CarolinaTouchdown, 12 plays, 71 yards
  17. Q4 The CitadelPunt, 3 plays, −6 yards
  18. Q4 Western CarolinaInterception, 10 plays, 43 yards
  19. Q4 The CitadelResult not recorded, 7 plays, 24 yards

Play by play

1st quarter3 drives, then Western Carolina 14, The Citadel 7
Western Carolina Touchdown, 8 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Colby Kintner kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25Desmond Reid run for 21 yds to the WCU 46 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at own 46Desmond Reid run for 15 yds to the CIT 39 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at opp 39Cole Gonzales pass complete to Censere Lee for 19 yds to the CIT 20 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at opp 20Desmond Reid run for 3 yds to the CIT 17
15:002nd & 7 at opp 17Desmond Reid run for 6 yds to the CIT 11
15:003rd & 1 at opp 11Desmond Reid run for 5 yds to the CIT 6 for a 1ST down
12:021st & goal at opp 6Cole Gonzales pass complete to Censere Lee Western Carolina Penalty, off-side (AJ Colombo) to the CIT 11
11:571st & goal at opp 11Desmond Reid run for 11 yds for a TD (Richard McCollum KICK)Western Carolina 7, The Citadel 0
The Citadel Touchdown, 8 plays
11:571st & 10 at own 35Paxton Robertson kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
11:571st & 10 at own 25Varney Layman run for 8 yds to the CIT 33
11:572nd & 2 at own 33Varney Layman run for 14 yds to the CIT 47 for a 1ST down
11:571st & 10 at own 47Johnny Crawford III run for 3 yds to the 50 yard line
11:572nd & 7 at the 50Graeson Underwood run to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down Western Carolina Penalty, unsportsmanlike conduct (Caleb Fisher) to the WCU 35 for a 1ST down
11:571st & 10 at opp 35Cooper Wallace pass complete to Malachi Taylor for 12 yds to the WCU 23 for a 1ST down
11:571st & 10 at opp 23Cooper Wallace run for 16 yds to the WCU 7 for a 1ST down
11:571st & goal at opp 7Graeson Underwood pass incomplete to Tyson Trottier for a 1ST down Western Carolina Penalty, Defensive pass interference (Rod Gattison) to the WCU 2 for a 1ST down
8:271st & goal at opp 2Johnny Crawford III run for 2 yds for a TD (Colby Kintner KICK)Tied at 7
Western Carolina Touchdown, 11 plays
8:181st & 10 at own 35Colby Kintner kickoff for 60 yds , AJ Colombo return for 19 yds to the WCU 24
8:181st & 10 at own 24Desmond Reid run for 22 yds to the WCU 46 for a 1ST down
8:181st & 10 at own 46Cole Gonzales pass complete to Calvin Jones for 7 yds to the CIT 47
8:182nd & 3 at opp 47Cole Gonzales pass complete to Ajay Belanger for 12 yds to the CIT 35 for a 1ST down
8:181st & 10 at opp 35Cole Gonzales pass complete to AJ Colombo for 9 yds to the CIT 26
8:182nd & 1 at opp 26Desmond Reid run for 14 yds to the CIT 12 for a 1ST down
8:181st & 10 at opp 12Desmond Reid run for 3 yds to the CIT 9
8:182nd & 7 at opp 9
8:183rd & 7 at opp 9Cole Gonzales pass complete to Desmond Reid for 6 yds to the CIT 3
8:184th & 1 at opp 3Desmond Reid run for 2 yds to the CIT 1 for a 1ST down
8:181st & goal at opp 1
2:532nd & goal at opp 1Desmond Reid run for 1 yd for a TD (Richard McCollum KICK)Western Carolina 14, The Citadel 7
2:371st & 10 at own 35Paxton Robertson kickoff , Cooper Wallace return for no gain , Landon Owens return for no gain The Citadel Penalty, illegal block (Thomas Wyatt) to the WCU 41
2nd quarter9 drives, then Western Carolina 35, The Citadel 7
Western Carolina Touchdown, 9 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 40Branson Adams run for 8 yds to the WCU 48
15:002nd & 2 at own 48Branson Adams run for 7 yds to the CIT 45 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at opp 45Cole Gonzales pass incomplete to Corey Washington, broken up by Bradlee Jones
15:002nd & 10 at opp 45Branson Adams run for 8 yds to the CIT 37
15:003rd & 2 at opp 37Cole Gonzales pass complete to AJ Colombo for 22 yds to the CIT 15 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at opp 15Cole Gonzales pass complete to De’Andre Tamarez for 4 yds to the CIT 11
15:002nd & 6 at opp 11Cole Gonzales run for 2 yds to the CIT 9
The Citadel Result not recorded, 8 plays
14:124th & 4 at opp 33pass incomplete to Ricky Conway
Western Carolina Touchdown, 9 plays
14:121st & 10 at own 23Cole Gonzales pass complete to Censere Lee for 17 yds to the WCU 40 for a 1ST down
9:403rd & 4 at opp 9Desmond Reid run for 9 yds for a TD (Richard McCollum KICK)Western Carolina 21, The Citadel 7
The Citadel Punt, 6 plays
9:301st & 10 at own 35Paxton Robertson kickoff for 65 yds , Cooper Wallace return for 18 yds to the CIT 18
9:301st & 10 at own 18Hi’keem Elmore run for 6 yds to the CIT 24
9:302nd & 4 at own 24Graeson Underwood pass complete to Tyler Cherry for 2 yds to the CIT 26
9:303rd & 2 at own 26Cooper Wallace run for 2 yds to the CIT 28 for a 1ST down
9:301st & 10 at own 28Johnny Crawford III run for 3 yds to the CIT 31
9:302nd & 7 at own 31Johnny Crawford III run for 5 yds to the CIT 36
5:254th & 10 at own 28James Platte punt for 53 yds , AJ Colombo returns for 30 yds to the WCU 49
Western Carolina Touchdown, 5 plays
5:251st & 10 at own 49for a 1ST down The Citadel Penalty, face mask (15 yards) (Je’Mazin Roberts) to the CIT 36 for a 1ST down
5:251st & 10 at opp 36Desmond Reid run for 23 yds to the CIT 13 for a 1ST down
5:251st & 10 at opp 13pass incomplete to Calvin Jones
5:252nd & 10 at opp 13Cole Gonzales pass complete to Desmond Reid for 12 yds to the CIT 1 for a 1ST down
4:141st & goal at opp 1The Citadel Penalty, personal foul (Yards) to the CIT 1
4:101st & goal at opp 1Desmond Reid run for 1 yd for a TD (Richard McCollum KICK)Western Carolina 28, The Citadel 7
The Citadel Punt, 3 plays
4:101st & 10 at own 35Paxton Robertson kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
4:101st & 10 at own 25Romello Jones run for 4 yds to the CIT 29
4:102nd & 6 at own 29
4:103rd & 6 at own 29Graeson Underwood pass complete to Johnny Crawford III for a loss of 2 yards to the CIT 27 The Citadel Penalty, illegal block (Sawyer Whitman) to the CIT 27
2:214th & 8 at own 27James Platte punt for 18 yds
Western Carolina Touchdown, 7 plays
2:211st & 10 at opp 45Desmond Reid run for 14 yds to the CIT 31 for a 1ST down
2:211st & 10 at opp 31Cole Gonzales pass complete to Desmond Reid for 10 yds to the CIT 21 for a 1ST down
2:211st & 10 at opp 21Cole Gonzales pass complete to Censere Lee for 9 yds to the CIT 12
2:212nd & 1 at opp 12Cole Gonzales pass complete to Corey Washington for 5 yds to the CIT 7 for a 1ST down
2:211st & goal at opp 7Desmond Reid run for 4 yds to the CIT 3
0:342nd & goal at opp 3Cole Gonzales pass complete to Ajay Belanger Western Carolina Penalty, Offensive holding (AJ Colombo) to the CIT 13
0:292nd & goal at opp 13Desmond Reid run for 13 yds for a TD (Richard McCollum KICK)Western Carolina 35, The Citadel 7
The Citadel End of half, 2 plays
0:291st & 10 at own 35Paxton Robertson kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
0:291st & 10 at own 25pass incomplete to Malachi Taylor
0:292nd & 10 at own 25Graeson Underwood run for 2 yds to the WCU 35
The Citadel Result not recorded, 8 plays
0:001st & 10 at opp 41pass incomplete to Elijah Bass
0:002nd & 10 at opp 41Graeson Underwood run for 2 yds to the WCU 39
0:003rd & 8 at opp 39Graeson Underwood run for 10 yds to the WCU 29 for a 1ST down
0:001st & 10 at opp 29Johnny Crawford III run for 1 yd to the WCU 28
0:002nd & 9 at opp 28The Citadel Penalty, illegal formation (-5 Yards) to the WCU 33
0:002nd & 14 at opp 33Graeson Underwood pass complete to Tyler Cherry for 7 yds to the WCU 33
0:003rd & 7 at opp 33Graeson Underwood run for 10 yds to the WCU 33 for a 1ST down
3rd quarter6 drives, then Western Carolina 42, The Citadel 14
The Citadel Punt, 3 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Paxton Robertson kickoff The Citadel Penalty, unsportsmanlike conduct (Cameron Moewe) to the 50 yard line
15:001st & 10 at the 50Paxton Robertson kickoff for 50 yds for a touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25Cooper Wallace run for 3 yds to the CIT 28
15:002nd & 7 at own 28pass incomplete to Tyler Cherry
15:003rd & 7 at own 28Graeson Underwood pass incomplete to Malachi Taylor, broken up by Ed Jones IV
14:064th & 7 at own 28James Platte punt for 35 yds
Western Carolina Turnover on downs, 8 plays
14:061st & 10 at own 37Cole Gonzales pass complete to Calvin Jones for 5 yds to the WCU 42
14:062nd & 5 at own 42Cole Gonzales pass complete to Calvin Jones for 19 yds to the CIT 39 for a 1ST down
14:061st & 10 at opp 39Branson Adams run for 5 yds to the CIT 34
14:062nd & 5 at opp 34Cole Gonzales pass complete to Calvin Jones for 18 yds to the CIT 16 for a 1ST down
14:061st & 10 at opp 16Cole Gonzales pass complete to AJ Colombo for a loss of 2 yards to the CIT 18
14:062nd & 12 at opp 18pass incomplete to Branson Adams
14:063rd & 12 at opp 18pass incomplete to Censere Lee
11:024th & 12 at opp 18Stephen Brantley pass complete to Jake Young
The Citadel Fumble, 4 plays
11:021st & 10 at own 18Western Carolina Penalty, unsportsmanlike conduct (Tyler Smith) to the CIT 34 for a 1ST down
11:021st & 10 at own 34Graeson Underwood pass complete to Cooper Wallace for 31 yds to the WCU 35 for a 1ST down
11:021st & 10 at opp 35Graeson Underwood pass complete to Tyson Trottier for 19 yds to the WCU 16 for a 1ST down
11:021st & 10 at opp 16Cooper Wallace fumbled, recovered by CIT Cooper Wallace
8:562nd & 10 at opp 16Cooper Wallace run for 4 yds to the WCU 12 Cooper Wallace fumbled, recovered by WCU Curtis Fann Jr.
Western Carolina Touchdown, 12 plays
8:561st & 10 at own 12Cole Gonzales pass complete to Censere Lee for 8 yds to the WCU 20
8:562nd & 2 at own 20Branson Adams run for 5 yds to the WCU 25 for a 1ST down
8:561st & 10 at own 25Cole Gonzales pass complete to Calvin Jones for 16 yds to the WCU 41 for a 1ST down
8:561st & 10 at own 41Cole Gonzales pass complete to Censere Lee for 19 yds to the CIT 40 for a 1ST down
8:561st & 10 at opp 40pass incomplete
8:562nd & 10 at opp 40Cole Gonzales run for 7 yds to the CIT 33
8:563rd & 3 at opp 33Cole Gonzales pass incomplete to AJ Colombo, broken up by Rett Russell
8:564th & 3 at opp 33Cole Gonzales pass complete to AJ Colombo for 5 yds to the CIT 28 for a 1ST down
8:561st & 10 at opp 28Branson Adams run for 3 yds to the CIT 25
8:562nd & 7 at opp 25Branson Adams run for 8 yds to the CIT 17 for a 1ST down
8:561st & 10 at opp 17Cole Gonzales pass complete to Censere Lee for 11 yds to the CIT 6 for a 1ST down
4:161st & goal at opp 6Cole Gonzales pass complete to AJ Colombo for 6 yds for a TD (Richard McCollum KICK)Western Carolina 42, The Citadel 7
The Citadel Touchdown, 8 plays
4:131st & 10 at own 35Graeson Underwood run for 10 yds to the CIT 45 for a 1ST down
4:131st & 10 at own 45Graeson Underwood pass complete to Jay Graves-Billips for 5 yds to the 50 yard line
4:132nd & 5 at the 50Graeson Underwood pass incomplete to Malachi Taylor for a 1ST down Western Carolina Penalty, Defensive pass interference (Ken Moore Jr.) to the WCU 35 for a 1ST down
4:131st & 10 at opp 35Romello Jones run for 20 yds to the WCU 15 for a 1ST down
4:131st & 10 at opp 15Hi’keem Elmore run for 3 yds to the WCU 12
4:132nd & 7 at opp 12Cooper Wallace run for a loss of 1 yard to the WCU 13
4:133rd & 8 at opp 13Graeson Underwood pass complete to Cooper Wallace for 3 yds to the WCU 10
0:184th & 5 at opp 10Graeson Underwood pass complete to Cooper Wallace for 10 yds for a TD (Colby Kintner KICK)Western Carolina 42, The Citadel 14
Western Carolina Touchdown, 12 plays
0:101st & 10 at own 35Colby Kintner kickoff for 44 yds , AJ Colombo return for 5 yds to the WCU 26
0:101st & 10 at own 26Brody Palhegyi pass complete to Branson Adams for 4 yds to the WCU 30
Q4 15:002nd & 6 at own 30Branson Adams run for 4 yds to the WCU 34
Q4 15:003rd & 2 at own 34Branson Adams run for 3 yds to the WCU 37 for a 1ST down
Q4 15:001st & 10 at own 37Branson Adams run for 6 yds to the WCU 43
Q4 15:002nd & 4 at own 43Brody Palhegyi pass complete to Zion Booker for 17 yds to the CIT 40 for a 1ST down
Q4 15:001st & 10 at opp 40Brody Palhegyi pass complete to Corey Washington for 10 yds to the CIT 30 for a 1ST down
Q4 15:001st & 10 at opp 30Brody Palhegyi pass complete to Branson Adams for 10 yds to the CIT 20 for a 1ST down
Q4 15:001st & 10 at opp 20Brody Palhegyi run for 7 yds to the CIT 13
Q4 15:002nd & 3 at opp 13Branson Adams run for 2 yds to the CIT 11
Q4 15:003rd & 1 at opp 11pass incomplete to Corey Washington
Q4 15:004th & 1 at opp 11Branson Adams run for 2 yds to the CIT 9 for a 1ST down Western Carolina Penalty, unsportsmanlike conduct (Dominick Poole) to the CIT 9 for a 1ST down
Q4 10:551st & goal at opp 9Brody Palhegyi pass complete to De’Andre Tamarez for 9 yds for a TD (Richard McCollum KICK)Western Carolina 49, The Citadel 14
4th quarter3 drives, then Western Carolina 49, The Citadel 14
The Citadel Punt, 3 plays
10:461st & 10 at own 35Paxton Robertson kickoff for 62 yds , Romello Jones return for 22 yds to the CIT 25
10:461st & 10 at own 25pass incomplete to Malachi Taylor
10:462nd & 10 at own 25
10:463rd & 10 at own 25Graeson Underwood sacked for a loss of 6 yards to the CIT 19
9:064th & 16 at own 19Jack Weil punt for 51 yds , Corey Washington returns for 13 yds to the WCU 43
Western Carolina Interception, 10 plays
9:061st & 10 at own 43Brody Palhegyi pass complete to Patrick Boyd Jr. Western Carolina Penalty, Offensive holding (Patrick Boyd Jr.) to the WCU 33
9:061st & 20 at own 33Markel Townsend run for 3 yds to the WCU 36
9:062nd & 17 at own 36Brody Palhegyi run for 3 yds to the CIT 39 for a 1ST down The Citadel Penalty, face mask (15 yards) (Nick McGill) to the CIT 46 for a 1ST down
9:061st & 10 at opp 46Brody Palhegyi pass complete to Santana Fleming for 11 yds to the CIT 35 for a 1ST down
9:061st & 10 at opp 35Markel Townsend run for 10 yds to the CIT 25 for a 1ST down
9:061st & 10 at opp 25Brody Palhegyi pass complete to Markel Townsend for 10 yds to the CIT 15 for a 1ST down
9:061st & 10 at opp 15Markel Townsend run for 1 yd to the CIT 14
9:062nd & 9 at opp 14
9:063rd & 9 at opp 14pass incomplete to Patrick Boyd Jr.
3:534th & 9 at opp 14Brody Palhegyi pass intercepted
The Citadel Result not recorded, 7 plays
3:531st & 10 at own 3Hayden Johnson run for 3 yds to the CIT 6
3:532nd & 7 at own 6Hayden Johnson run for 2 yds to the CIT 8
3:533rd & 5 at own 8Graeson Underwood pass complete to Ricky Conway for 7 yds to the CIT 15 for a 1ST down
3:531st & 10 at own 15Graeson Underwood pass complete to Ricky Conway for 4 yds to the CIT 19
3:532nd & 6 at own 19Graeson Underwood pass complete to Hayden Johnson for 5 yds to the CIT 24
3:533rd & 1 at own 24Hayden Johnson run for 3 yds to the CIT 27 for a 1ST down
3:531st & 10 at own 27Hayden Johnson run for 2 yds to the CIT 27

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Western Carolina–The Citadel game

The Citadel leads 17–⁠12 in 29 meetings, counting the two since this game.

Recent meetings
2025Western Carolina 45, The Citadel 38
2024Western Carolina 30, The Citadel 16
2023Western Carolina 49, The Citadel 14
2022The Citadel 34, Western Carolina 21
2021Western Carolina 45, The Citadel 31
2020Western Carolina 21, The Citadel 14

Around this game

Western Carolina

The Citadel

Ranked games that day

Every game of Week 5