ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State erased a 14-point second-half deficit and rallied to tie the game in the fourth quarter, but a 31-yard field goal by The Citadel's Evan Kiely as time expired lifted the visiting Bulldogs to a heartbreaking 34-31 victory Saturday afternoon at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium on Willie Jeffries Field.
The loss snapped SC State's five-game winning streak and dropped the Bulldogs to 5-1 on the season, while The Citadel improved to 2-3 before a crowd of 11,250.
Despite trailing 31-17 late in the third quarter, SC State showed resilience, scoring 14 unanswered points to even the contest at 31 with 8:16 remaining in regulation. However, The Citadel put together an 85-yard drive in the final 2:23 to secure the victory on the game's final play.
SC State quarterback Keely Watson led the offensive attack, completing 20 of 31 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Running back
Mason Pickett-Hicks contributed 129 all-purpose yards, rushing for 90 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries while adding three receptions for 39 yards and another score.
Wide receiver
DJ Maultsby provided a spark in the passing game, hauling in three receptions for a team-high 79 yards and a touchdown. Malaqhi Jones added six catches for 58 yards, while
Shamontae Burgess finished with four receptions for 33 yards.
SC State struck first when Jett Jackson connected on a 47-yard field goal with 9:16 remaining in the opening quarter to give the home team an early 3-0 advantage.
After The Citadel responded with a touchdown, Watson connected with Maultsby on a 41-yard scoring strike to cap a four-play, 78-yard drive and put SC State back in front, 10-7, with 4:35 remaining in the first quarter.
The Citadel answered with 10 points in the second quarter to take a 17-10 lead into halftime.
SC State wasted little time responding after the break. Pickett-Hicks broke free for an 18-yard touchdown run with 11:43 remaining in the third quarter, tying the contest at 17.
The Citadel regained control with two consecutive touchdowns to build a 31-17 advantage late in the third period.
Refusing to back down, SC State answered with a nine-play, 65-yard scoring drive capped by a 21-yard touchdown pass from Watson to Pickett-Hicks with 31 seconds remaining in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 31-24.
The Bulldogs carried that momentum into the fourth quarter, putting together an impressive 12-play, 80-yard drive that consumed 5:44.
Josh Shaw capped the possession with a 6-yard touchdown run, and Jackson's extra point tied the game at 31 with 8:16 remaining.
SC State's defense responded by forcing a punt on The Citadel's ensuing possession, giving the Bulldogs an opportunity to take the lead. SC State moved the ball from its own 13-yard line to its 49 before being forced to punt with 2:23 remaining.
The Citadel then marched 85 yards to set up Kiely's game-winning field goal as the clock expired.
Defensively, SC State was led by
Marquis Lane-Owens, who recorded a game-high nine tackles, including six solo stops.
Caleb Williams and
Roderick Kelly added five tackles apiece, with Kelly contributing a sack.
Ka'Von Chisolm and Jayden Fuller also recorded sacks, while Joshua Barker finished with four tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble. The Bulldogs' defense registered three sacks, six tackles for loss and a blocked kick.
SC State finished with 346 yards of total offense, including 255 through the air, and held a 23-15 advantage in first downs. The Bulldogs were also successful on both fourth-down attempts and committed no turnovers.
Despite the narrow setback, SC State demonstrated its ability to overcome adversity, rallying from a two-touchdown deficit and putting itself in position to win in the closing minutes.
The Bulldogs will look to regroup as they prepare for the remainder of the season and their upcoming Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schedule.
SC State Game Highlights
- Keely Watson (QB): Completed 20 of 31 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns.
- Mason Pickett-Hicks (RB): Rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown and added three receptions for 39 yards and a score.
- DJ Maultsby (WR): Recorded three receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown.
- Malaqhi Jones (WR): Led the Bulldogs with six receptions for 58 yards.
- Josh Shaw (RB): Scored on a 6-yard touchdown run to tie the game in the fourth quarter.
- Marquis Lane-Owens (LB): Led the defense with nine tackles.
- Roderick Kelly (LB): Finished with five tackles and one sack.
- Jett Jackson (K): Connected on a 47-yard field goal and converted all four extra-point attempts.
By the Numbers
- Final score: The Citadel 34, SC State 31
- SC State passing yards: 255
- SC State rushing yards: 91
- SC State total offense: 346 yards
- SC State first downs: 23
- SC State sacks: 3
- SC State turnovers: 0
- Attendance: 11,250
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