A year ago, The Citadel’ s defense was ranked dead last in the Southern Conference in just about every major statistical category. Total defense. Scoring defense.
Fewest sacks and tackles for loss and fewest forced turnovers. The Bulldogs gave up more points (384) and more yards (4,656) than any other team in the SoCon during the 2023 season. Most first-year head coaches, especially ones that had suffered through an 0-11 season, might have made changes to the defensive staff after a season like the one the Bulldogs suffered through in 2023.
But The Citadel’s Maurice Drayton had faith in defensive coordinator Raleigh Jackson and knew the Bulldogs would be more competitive with another year in his system. Throwdown on the Yorktown a 'night to remember' despite early cancellation Drayton’s trust in Jackson and the Bulldogs defensive coaching staff proved to be well founded. With just about the same lineup, the Bulldogs have become one of the most disruptive defenses in the SoCon this season.
A year ago, the Bulldogs defense recorded just nine quarterback sacks, 36 tackles for loss and forced only 11 turnovers. With two games left in the regular season, the Bulldogs already have 25 sacks, good for third in the conference; 68 tackles for loss and have forced 12 turnovers. The Citadel is giving up two less touchdowns a game and almost 100 less yards to its opponents.
It has been a dramatic turnaround by anyone’s standards. “Raleigh Jackson is a defensive nerd,” Drayton .
