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The Citadel Bulldogs (3-5, 2-3 SoCon) welcome for the 81st meeting the VMI Keydets (1-7, 0-4 SoCon) to Johnson Hagood Stadium in a huge game for Citadel as they look to finish their season off strong. The Keydets also want to get in the win column in SoCon play, both teams will battle it out at 2pm.
Our first set of Senior Day honorees, headlined by military captain Jack McCall!#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/mWBxrf1gSU
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 1, 2025
The Bulldogs on the opening kickoff are able to keep VMI from getting a first down and the ball is kicked away to the Bulldogs. The Citadel do get a couple first downs but have to kick it away after penalties keep them from getting further down the field. The Keydets will off at the 13-yard line, and we have 8 minutes left in the first quarter with the score still 0-0.
@VMI_Football 0@CitadelFootball 0
Game Started@GSM_TGFFGameday @gsm_citadel @soconpulse @SSN_The_Citadel @VMIAthletics pic.twitter.com/xMmtUzgdnh— Greenville Sports Media (@GreenvilleSM) November 1, 2025
Once again VMI is not able to get a first down and punts the ball back to The Citadel who starts deep in their own territory. VMI has two chances at a interception and drops the ball twice and will instead get the ball back at the 34-yard line. VMI gets the ball and after a pair of first downs are inside the Bulldogs 30-yard line. We have just over a minute left in the first half and VMI throws a touchdown and its 7-0 Keydets with 1:12 left in the 1st quarter here at the Citadel. The play is called back to the half yard line and its first down and its 0-0. VMI runs the wildcat and gets the touchdown and its 7-0 VMI with 55 seconds left in the first now.
A 24-yard pass up the seam sets up a one-yard rushing touchdown, good for the opening score of the day as the Keydets claim the first lead.
The Citadel — 0
VMI — 7
Q1 | 0:55#FireThoseCannons— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 1, 2025
We start the second quarter with the Citadel with the ball 3rd down on the 22-yard line. VMI has played pretty well through the first quarter and will need to keep it up to steal a win from the Bulldogs. Citadel on third and 13 was able to get a few yards and VMI will take over at the 15-yard line after a huge punt. Citadel is hit with a 15-yard penalty and VMI will take over at the 30-yard line instead. The Bulldogs are able to hold the Keydets and get the ball back around the 33-yard line.
Shannon to Sweeney ruled down at the one-yard line!#RahVaMil | #ExpectToWin pic.twitter.com/nO5B9rcWUj
— VMI Football (@VMI_Football) November 1, 2025
The Citadel after only having 5 yards the whole first quarter have finally got some rhythm and are rushing down the field with two huge QB runs are now at the 15-yard line first down in the red zone. Citadel knocks its way down to the 4-yard line and its first and goal. The Citadel is able to take a timeout with them possessing the ball 8 minutes, 78 yards rushing now and no passing yards. Citadel gets the ball and loses a yard and its 3rd down at the 3-yard line and VMI is able to stuff them, and they lose another yard. Citadel goes for it and is once again stopped at the 2-yard line as they tried a trick formation, and the QB ran up the middle but was stopped.
Utsey puts VMI on top with a TD scamper!#RahVaMil | #ExpectToWin pic.twitter.com/aUnPdy7N2h
— VMI Football (@VMI_Football) November 1, 2025
VMI gets the ball at the 2 and quickly gets out of trouble as they are after a few passes up to the 41-yard line and making their way down the field fast. We come to the two-minute warning here at Johnson Hagood Stadium with VMI ahead and threatening to score again at the 45-yard line of the Citadel. VMI after the timeout on 4th down get the first down at the 44-yard line. VMI after a penalty that backed them up 5 yards gets a pass down to the 39-yard line as they try to get in field goal range, so they take a timeout. They are able to get a huge first down to 30 then yet another to the 16-yard line. VMI QB #5 runs down to the 9 then throws a touchdown pass on the next play and VMI has jumped ahead 14-0 with 10 seconds left in the half here at Citadel as a stunned crowd watches on.
@VMI_FOOTBALL 14@CitadelFootball 0
Halftime Shocker@GSM_TGFFGameday @foxcarolinanews @GSM_TheCitadel @SSN_The_Citadel @SoConJohn22 @soconpulse pic.twitter.com/3ElrWhAtau— Greenville Sports Media (@GreenvilleSM) November 1, 2025
The Citadel had 108 yards rushing and 0 passing yards while holding the ball 15 minutes in the first half. VMI also had the ball 15 minutes, with 64 yards rushing and 131 yards passing. The scoreboard is the biggest difference with VMI having a 14-0 lead and pretty much playing a very physical ballgame against the Bulldogs so far today. Coach Rocco coming out after halftime made sure to let his team know they still have 2 more quarters to play to get out with a win.
Just entered halftime here at Johnson Hagood…Bulldogs with some work to do following the midway break.#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/khyC7ZV9TI
— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 1, 2025
VMI gets the ball after holding Citadel to no first and they get a score after huge pass play from #5 to #8 and VMI takes a 21=0 lead over the Bulldogs as the crowd is stunned by what they are seeing. VMI kicks back out of the end zone, and the Bulldogs will need to get a score and let the defense rest on this possession. The Citadel has slowly made its way down the field and is at the VMI 22-yard line and threatening to score for the first time today. The Citadel gets a touchdown and now is back in the game 21-7 with 6:50 left in the third quarter. The Citadel gets a great run and gets down to the 3-yard line, and it’s ripped out and VMI recovers and stops the threat by Citadel. VMI will keep it safe and run the ball up the middle eating clock and trying to get a long series with a score to keep the red-hot Bulldog offense off the field. VMI gets a huge run and is now at mid field, then gets another huge pass down to the 18-yard line of the Citadel. We come to the end of the third with VMI at the Bulldogs 8-yard line threatening to get another score and put this game out of reach.
QUENTIN HAYES TO JIHAD MARKS!!!
The duo come up clutch ONCE AGAIN for the third TD Bank touchdown in the past two games, gettin the Bulldogs on the board for the first time today 🌪️⚡️
The Citadel — 7
VMI — 21
Q3 | 6:50#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/YtoAXAWo2W— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 1, 2025
VMI will go for a field goal and its up and good and its 24-7, as the Keydets are able to not only stop the Bulldogs with a costly turnover, but get 3 points out of the turnover. VMI fans and players are starting to feel their first SoCon win in its sights here in Charleston. Citadel will take over at the 21-yard line and lose yards on an end around play. Citadel is able to take the ball down the field and get a touchdown and its 24-14 with 12 minutes left in the game as the crowd has come alive. VMI gets the ball back at the 25-yard line and a hug rush by #9 and they are at the 1-yard line, and the crowd has now grown quiet again as VMI seems to answer everything the Bulldogs do.
JEREMIAH HOLMES W/ THE CLUTCH RECOVERY!!!
The Bulldogs come up big on the goal line, forcing a turnover to keep the comeback bid alive 🔥🌪️
The Citadel — 14
VMI — 24
Q4 | 11:02#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/nD22a7jjf4— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 1, 2025
The Citadel is able to get a fumble when #19 gets the ball of the ground when VMI mis handles the handoff. The crowd now is back into the game and after a facemask the Bulldogs have the ball at the 27-yard line and get a huge pass play and are right back in this game, and its 24-21 with 10 minutes left in the game. This has been a game where we thought VMI was going to just end it, yet just like the Keydets stole the ball from the Bulldogs, it was returned back in full, as Citadel has a chance if they can hold VMI this possession and get the ball back they can get a score and take their first lead of the game.
BOOM. 🧨
Mikey Rosa makes a STATEMENT hit in the Keydets' backfield, shutting down the third-and-short attempt and forcing a massive punt!
The Citadel — 21
VMI — 24
Q4 | 8:37#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/Vnmy5WTCum— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 1, 2025
VMI gets the ball back and need to hold the ball and get another score if they plan to win this game, while the Bulldogs want a huge stop and get the ball back to its offense. They are able to put up a huge defensive stand and get the ball back with 8 minutes left in the game and the ball at the 23-yard line and down only 3 points. The Bulldogs have come alive, as everything they are doing gets huge yards. Two huge rushing plays and they are at the VMI 34-yard line. We have just over 6 minutes left and the Bulldogs are in field goal range wanting more. They are now in the red zone at the 10-yard line, and it’s a touchdown for the Bulldogs as they take the lead 28-24 with 4:33 left in the game. This has been a unreal game so far today.
BOOM. 🧨
Mikey Rosa makes a STATEMENT hit in the Keydets' backfield, shutting down the third-and-short attempt and forcing a massive punt!
The Citadel — 21
VMI — 24
Q4 | 8:37#FireThoseCannons pic.twitter.com/Vnmy5WTCum— The Citadel Football (@CitadelFootball) November 1, 2025
VMI will now get the ball back, and now being down for the first time today, how they respond will be the series of the game. The Citadel is rocking, and it’s going to be rough to hear. VMI is able to get a huge pass play and get its first down which calms the crowd down and follow it up with yet another 5-yard pass play.
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