The Citadel @ Charleston Southern

[BJuice]

The next chapter of the this crosstown rivalry is this weekend in a very good FCS matchup. It has been called the Chucktown Throwdown by some. Our head coach, Jamey Chadwell, said this week that, in the record book, it isn't much of a rivalry because Charleston Southern hasn't beat The Citadel enough. At 2-5, he's right.

However, he's also right when he said it IS a rivalry because we are the two FCS football playing schools in the city. Charleston Southern has been the "redheaded stepchild" in Charleston when it comes to the three mid major schools in Charleston County. Sometimes that has been deserved, most times it hasn't been deserved.

Charleston Southern is still trying to earn respect on the football field against The Citadel and in the city. The only way to do that is to keep beating the Bulldogs.

I am going to stage all of the pre-game articles in this thread for consumption and set this up for the Game Thread on Saturday.

[BJuice]

Will Citadel Fans Turn Out for Bulldogs' Game at Charleston Southern?

The Citadel ticket office sold just 170 of the 530 tickets it received from CSU for consignment, returning 360 to Charleston Southern. The Bulldogs also received 250 complimentary tickets for the 6 p.m. game.

"I was like, 'Wow, I'm not sure of why that is,'" (Citadel Athletic Director, Jim) Senter said of the returned tickets. "I'm not sure if people were not aware we had tickets to be purchased, or if people think it's sold out, or if people think Charleston Southern's stadium is too small to accommodate Citadel fans.

"But I want people to know we are taking this game very seriously. It's a big game for our team, and Charleston Southern is a good opponent and we need to take this seriously. My goal is to get as many fans there as we can, to support our team and to play the very best game we can play."

CSU athletic director Hank Small said Tuesday that there is not a "sell-out" limit on the number of tickets available for Saturday's game.

"We had very large crowds last year for our Charlotte and Coastal games and did not 'sell out' due to the fact that we will continue to sell general admission tickets," Small said in an e-mail. "We have very large standing room areas that will accommodate general admission. People need to plan to arrive early to be assured of a general admission seat or to purchase a reserved seat."

Citadel alumnus Paul Tamburrino, a member of the Citadel Football Association and a director on the alumni association's board, said some Citadel fans wondered why the game was scheduled at CSU.

"I think there was some concern about why our decision-makers would send us to a stadium with 4,000 seats," Tamburrino said. "And I think there was some apathy about the game at the beginning of the year.

"But now Citadel fans are starting to get excited about our coaching staff, and the results of our last game (a 37-12 loss at No. 1 Florida State). So there has been a big influx this week of people buying tickets. I had 20 tickets, and they went just like that."

Whatever the fans' attitude, there's no question Citadel coach Mike Houston and his players are taking CSU quite seriously.

"At the end of the day, I have very little control of our fan base as far as them embracing us playing up there," Houston said. "For us, our players are just as excited about this game as about playing any other road game. I think it will be a very, very good environment with the two teams in the Charleston area going head-to-head."

[BJuice]

Charleston Southern Expands Seating for Citadel Game; Announces Phases 2 and 3 of Stadium Improvements and Enhancements

"We are anticipating a record crowd for the game," said CSU athletic director Hank Small. "Since there is a demand for tickets, CSU has decided to expand seating to the visitor's section from 900 seats to 1,628 for the game. The annual crosstown rivalry between CSU and The Citadel gets more exciting every year."

The University plans to add permanent additional seating over the next five years increasing stadium capacity from 3,562 to 5,320. The addition will include new seating to both the home and visitor's side.

Charleston Southern also released plans today to break ground on the construction of a Football Entrance Plaza in January 2015. The expansion will begin the second phase of the three-phase project to expand CSU's athletic facilities over the next five years.

Charleston Southern completed Phase I of the expansion in 2012 with the addition of a new a $4 million locker room. In addition, the university added stadium lighting prior to the opening of the 2014 college football season.

Phase II of the expansion will also include a new facility that will include the addition of modern coaches meeting rooms. Phase III will include the addition of a 5,000 square foot weight room facility.

"The Athletic Center represents significant progress for CSU's NCAA Division-1 Athletic Program, specifically the university's commitment to student-athlete welfare and success," said Dr. Rick Brewer, Vice-President for Student Affairs & Athletics. "These facilities will advance CSU's athletics program goal of providing a competitive NCAA experience built upon a commitment for developing student-athletes academically, athletically, and spiritually."

[BJuice]

CSU Buccaneers Host The Citadel on Saturday as Charleston Rivalry Comes to Buccaneer Field

A record crowd is expected at Buccaneer Field on Saturday when The Citadel makes the trip up I-26 for the first time ever. CSU is looking to start 4-0 for a second straight season and just the third time in the 24-year history of the program.

"I think they (CSU players) realize we're the underdog," said (CSU Head Coach, Jamey) Chadwell of a CSU team that enters 3-0 behind wins over Point, Newberry and Campbell. "They've (The Citadel) played Coastal Carolina and Florida State. You couldn't combine all the teams we've played and beat one of them. Our guys understand that and that's the way the schedule works out with us playing the two SEC teams (Vanderbilt and Georgia)."

"We're used to being the underdog and that's the way it's always going to be," Chadwell continued. "I think that's life and our guys understand that it's just sort of how we've been. I don't think it adds any extra motivation. You're not going to need motivation for a game like this. The main thing for us is we get a chance to play at home again and you got a SoCon team coming to our place for only the second time ever so that's a big deal. It's important for our program and important for the Big South to try to go out and get a good win against a quality opponent."

For more, click the link.

[BJuice]

As of 9:00am today (Thursday) there are no releases on The Citadel's athletic website pertaining to the game.

[BJuice]

Charleston Southern Pre-Game Video

Click the link

[BJuice]

Charleston Southern's Defensive Line Proves Doubters Wrong

After three games, Charleston Southern's defense is allowing just 66 yards rushing per game and 199 total yards per game, which ranks first nationally among FCS schools. One of the biggest reasons for the early success is the veteran defensive line led by seniors Isaac Lowrance, Dylan Black, Skyler Skersick and James Smith.

"We have paid our dues and we do play with a chip on our shoulder," says Lowrance. "We're either a few inches too short, a few pounds too light, a step too slow, but we're football players and we love the game. We use that to motivate us and to push us. "I feel like our chemistry is our strength. We have been here for a long time and we've been through the grind together. We came from a time when things were not very good here and as a group we decided we would be leaders and make sure we changed the program."

Skersick says the group has been a unit so long that they now know each other inside and out. "On and off the field, we're there for each other and we help each other," he said. "We have a great trust in each other. We can talk about what's going on and how to fix it and we always have each other's back. We all came here to prove we can play at this level and that drives us every day."

Smith and Black are the more decorated members of the defensive line. Both are considered top pass rushers in the Big South Conference and both earned second-team all-conference honors last season.

Smith, who had 41/2 sacks a year ago, looks forward to closing out his career and, along with his mates on the line, leaving a legacy at Charleston Southern. "We basically grew up together here and now we're ready to lead this team to great things," he said. "We want a championship."

"They came here and nobody else wanted them and they have worked their tails off, together, to become good college football players," said (CSU Head Coach, Jamey) Chadwell. "Certainly they have been a big factor in the success we have had so far. They take their responsibilities on our team very seriously. They grew up in this program together and they love playing together."

"We have to do our job individually and work as a unit," says Lowrance. "We respect what they do on offense and their offensive line is good. We have to stay low and stay with our assignments and we will be fine."

While many consider CSU the underdog - the Bucs are 2-5 overall against the Bulldogs - Black scoffs at such talk. "I don't think we're the underdog. I think we're going to come out and take it to them," said Black. "They might think last year was a fluke but we're going to be ready Saturday. Our focus is on shutting them down."

[Ibanez]

This is going to be a close game and I wish I could attend. I believe both teams are equally matched but The Citadel might be better equipped to eek out a win.

[bucs90]

Ibanez...I hate to say it but I agree. For now, CSU beating Citadel is still technically an upset. I love CSU with all ky heart and I know they can win. Ive spent 2 weeks absolutely trashing Citadel fans....not players. They have always had some very good players and coaches, despite their obnoxious fans.

The Citadel front 7 is very stout, combined with a CSU offense that has started a bit sluggish. Citadels ground game is very capable of controlling the clock. Points will be hard to come by for CSU and they wont have a lot of time of possession. That may be the difference.

BUT...CSU is 2-2 vs Citadel since 2006, and they say that stuff every year about this game. So we'll see. Out of respect for all the players on both teams...im suspending my comments towards Citadel fans til after the game.

Go Bucs. You have quite an opportunity this weekend.

[CID1990]

You calling anyone obnoxious is laughable

[rokamortis]

Charleston Southern's Defensive Line Proves Doubters Wrong

After three games, Charleston Southern's defense is allowing just 66 yards rushing per game and 199 total yards per game, which ranks first nationally among FCS schools. One of the biggest reasons for the early success is the veteran defensive line led by seniors Isaac Lowrance, Dylan Black, Skyler Skersick and James Smith.

I'd say the biggest reason for the success is you haven't played a FCS scholarship program yet. Play a few of those and see how the stats end up.

[bucs90]

You calling anyone obnoxious is laughable

Have a nice trip Saturday and enjoy the game

[CID1990]

Charleston Southern's Defensive Line Proves Doubters Wrong

I'd say the biggest reason for the success is you haven't played a FCS scholarship program yet. Play a few of those and see how the stats end up.

you make a lot of sense and therefore you probably should not be in this thread

[bucs90]

I'd say the biggest reason for the success is you haven't played a FCS scholarship program yet. Play a few of those and see how the stats end up.

you make a lot of sense and therefore you probably should not be in this thread

Maybe his team, Liberty, will play Citadel someday.

[CID1990]

you make a lot of sense and therefore you probably should not be in this thread

Maybe his team, Liberty, will play Citadel someday.

maybe after your superbowl this weekend youll disappear

[BJuice]

Citadel's Mild-Mannered Jake Stenson Flips Switch on the Field

Citadel fans surely know by now that Stenson's football abilities belie his mild-mannered appearance. When he's dressed in seersucker pants and a white button-down shirt, the 5-11, 200-pounder looks more like a typical MBA student - which he is - than the owner of the second-best rushing average in the Southern Conference.

"Jake is one of those guys who is a really, really good football player who maybe doesn't exactly fit the mold," (Citadel Head Coach, Mike) Houston said. "But he's been very productive every chance he's had this year. He can run, catch, block ... I lined him up last week and he kicked a 20-yard field goal in practice, so he's just overall a pretty good athlete."

"There's a lot of teamwork involved (in Citadel's option offense)," Stenson said. "You've got to trust the blocker in front of you, which for me is usually Vinny Miller or Cam Jackson or Jonathan Dorogy. You know you won't get as many carries as the fullback and your main goal is to be the best blocker you can be. And when you do get the ball, you have to trust the guy in front of you."

[BJuice]

maybe after your superbowl this weekend youll disappear

Super Bowl? Not hardly. This is just the city rivalry.

We save our Super Bowl for Liberty and Coastal.

[CID1990]

maybe after your superbowl this weekend youll disappear

Super Bowl? Not hardly. This is just the city rivalry.

We save our Super Bowl for Liberty and Coastal.

you dont spill 1/4 this amount of ink over them

[Ibanez]

you make a lot of sense and therefore you probably should not be in this thread

Maybe his team, Liberty, will play Citadel someday.

Rokamortis is a Coastal Carolina fan.

[bucs90]

Maybe his team, Liberty, will play Citadel someday.

maybe after your superbowl this weekend youll disappear

Hardly. Liberty and Coastal are our super bowls. Better teams. Bigger consequences.

[CID1990]

maybe after your superbowl this weekend youll disappear

Hardly. Liberty and Coastal are our super bowls. Better teams. Bigger consequences.

Nope. It is quite obvious from your behavior that this is your super bowl this weekend.

There is no way that you make the playoffs so this is your game. Better enjoy your popcorn and Jerry Falwell message for Christian Tailgating while you can.

[BJuice]

There is no way that you make the playoffs so this is your game. Better enjoy your popcorn and Jerry Falwell message for Christian Tailgating while you can.

No way we make the playoffs? The Citadel game has no effect on that whether we win or lose. We can still make the playoffs by losing to The Citadel and winning the Big South Conference. It is called an automatic bid. I'm not saying we will or guaranteeing anything like that. Just saying that this game against your team will not determine the fate of our season.

This is not our game. The Big South Conference is very good. Presbyterian just beat the SoCon's highest ranked team (Furman) last weekend. We know there will be much bigger and tougher games this season than this little tilt with The Citadel.

This game is purely about pride, respect, and the local rivalry.

As for Jerry Falwell. He is father of Liberty. Falwell has nothing to do with Charleston Southern. So, try again.

[BJuice]

Charleston Southern Aims to Build Rivalry with Citadel

This is a good game for the Lowcountry and there is no reason it shouldn't continue on an annual basis well beyond a scheduled meeting next year at The Citadel. It makes financial sense for a pair of cash-strapped programs 16 miles apart.

On paper, it's an even matchup. But Charleston Southern head coach Jamey Chadwell doesn't even publicly consider this a real rivalry.

"For them, it's not a rivalry," Chadwell said. "We've played seven times and we've scraped by twice and the rest of the games they've hammered us. For our guys, we're trying to make it into a rivalry. But to have a rivalry, you have to beat them or make it a competitive game year-in, year-out."

"This is another way for us to show ourselves to the city of Charleston and let everybody know that we're for real," said junior quarterback Austin Brown, a transfer from Alabama-Birmingham.

"You're always going to have people that like Charleston Southern regardless," he (Chadwell) said. "But I think there are a lot of casual fans that aren't true Citadel people that live here and don't know a lot about either team. You hope if we can come out and put on a good showing - no matter what the score is - and we handle it right and look like a college football team, people will say, 'I like how they play; I like what they're trying to do.' And then we can create more of a fan base."

"This is for who runs Charleston," Brown said. "We have that ownership right now and we plan on keeping it here at Charleston Southern."

[CID1990]

There is no way that you make the playoffs so this is your game. Better enjoy your popcorn and Jerry Falwell message for Christian Tailgating while you can.

No way we make the playoffs? The Citadel game has no effect on that whether we win or lose. We can still make the playoffs by losing to The Citadel and winning the Big South Conference. It is called an automatic bid. I'm not saying we will or guaranteeing anything like that. Just saying that this game against your team will not determine the fate of our season.

This is not our game. The Big South Conference is very good. Presbyterian just beat the SoCon's highest ranked team (Furman) last weekend. We know there will be much bigger and tougher games this season than this little tilt with The Citadel.

This game is purely about pride, respect, and the local rivalry.

As for Jerry Falwell. He is father of Liberty. Falwell has nothing to do with Charleston Southern. So, try again.

Keep spillin that ink, Mr "This Aint Our Superbowl"

Bob Jones, Jerry Falwell, John Hamrick

theyre all the same

[bucs90]

No way we make the playoffs? The Citadel game has no effect on that whether we win or lose. We can still make the playoffs by losing to The Citadel and winning the Big South Conference. It is called an automatic bid. I'm not saying we will or guaranteeing anything like that. Just saying that this game against your team will not determine the fate of our season.

This is not our game. The Big South Conference is very good. Presbyterian just beat the SoCon's highest ranked team (Furman) last weekend. We know there will be much bigger and tougher games this season than this little tilt with The Citadel.

This game is purely about pride, respect, and the local rivalry.

As for Jerry Falwell. He is father of Liberty. Falwell has nothing to do with Charleston Southern. So, try again.

Keep spillin that ink, Mr "This Aint Our Superbowl"

Bob Jones, Jerry Falwell, John Hamrick

theyre all the same

You said we'll "never make the playoffs"? Well we were 1 game from clinching it last year. Unfortunately Liberty was a lot better that day. And would've gone in 2005 had the BSC had an auto bid then.

I bet CSU makes the playoffs in the future before Citadel does.

As for you comparing us with those other Christian schools, you do realize Citadel has FAR stricter moral rules than CSU right? At CSU you cant have beer on campus or a female stay in your room, and take 1 class of old or new testament. Thats it. A far far FAR different place than those you refer to. CSU is as different from Bob Jonesas Citadel is from West Point haha!