Game Statistics
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -Matt Sharpe kicked a 22-yard field goal and John Bell scored on a 17-yard pass play in the fourth quarter to lift VMI past The Citadel, 23-21, in the 62nd annual Military Classic of the South.
The game was played in a driving rainstorm at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. It was VMI's last football game as a member of the Southern Conference. The Keydets will move to the Big South in 2003.
The win evened VMI's 2002 season record to 6-6, the most wins by a Keydet football squad since 1981.
Trailing the Bulldogs 13-7 at halftime, VMI began its rally with a 13-play, 85-yard drive that consumed 6:47 of the third quarter clock. All but one play of the drive was on the ground, and was aided by a Citadel holding call on a third and 17 situation. T.J. Snelling's two-yard burst up the middle tied the game at 13-13 with 1:31 left, but Matt Sharpe missed the extra-point attempt following a shaky snap.
The Keydets next took possession of the ball at the Citadel 44 following a fake punt attempt, and moved 44 yards in fours plays to set up Matt Sharpe's 22 yard field goal to give VMI a 16-13 lead with 12:07 remaining. Joey Gibson's 41-yard pass to wideout Pedro Garcia to The Citadel 8 on the drive's first play keyed the go-ahead score.
A fumble recovery on Citadel's next drive by Keydet tackle Matt Kluk at the Citadel 15-yard line set up Bell's touchdown reception to give VMI a 23-13 lead with 10:03 left. The score came on a fourth and 12 call.
The Citadel cut the deficit to 23-21 with 2:07 left by moving 80 yards on 12 plays and scoring on a five-yard pass from Jeff Klein to Scooter Johnson. The two-point conversion pass to Jermaine Anderson was good.
The Bulldogs got the ball back at their own 27-yard line :20 left and moved to their own 48, but had a desperation pass by Klein knocked down at the VMI 20 as time expired.
Gibson completed nine of 17 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown and was not picked off despite the muddy field conditions. He also led the Keydets in rushing with 61 yards on 15 carries and one touchdown.
The Citadel's Neil Broughton led all ground gainers with 111 yards on 30 carries and one touchdown.
The Bulldogs struck first with a 13-play, 74 yard drive, all on the ground, and capped it when Broughton scored on a two-yard burst with 6:14 left in the second quarter. The scoring possession consumed 7:23 of the clock.
VMI tied the game at 7-7 on a three-play, 82 yard drive which consisted of a 48-yard pass to Garcia, a 33-yard run by Gibson to the Citadel, and a one yard quarterback sneak.by Gibson to cap the drive.
The Citadel surged ahead before halftime when Johnson picked up kickoff at the Citadel 10-yard line and raced 90 yards for a touchdown. Zobel's extra-point attempt failed.
VMI edged The Citadel in total offense 310-305 and took advantage of four Bulldog turnovers, including three fumbles. The Keydets limited Citadel to eight net rushing yards in the second half after the Bulldogs gained 134 yards on the ground in the first half.
Klein completed 17 of 33 passes for 163 yards. Bulldogs receivers Matt Healy and Johnson each caught five passes.
Gibson, a senior from Jacksonville, Fla., finished his career as VMI's all-time leading passer with 5,607 yards, moving past Dave Brown (1985-88). Senior punter Brent Bart set a new Southern Conference and school season record with a 47.4 yard average.
VMI closed out the season (6-6, 3-5) while The Citadel (2-9, 1-7) hosts Charleston Southern next Thursday night at Johnson Hagood Stadium at 7:00 p.m.
VMI-CITADEL POST GAME QUOTES
THE CITADEL COACH ELLIS JOHNSON
"Both teams played a great game considering the conditons. The field was really wet and some big plays were a result."
"We lost control of the line of scrimmage in the second half and they beat us up front."
"Playing conditions had a lot to do with our fumbles. Some of the fumbles were results of good plays by VMI."
VMI COACH CAL MCCOMBS
"These guys were just so possessed on wanting to win this ball game. We knew that this was going to be a challenge because The Citadel wanted to win just as much as we did. Both these teams love challenges. They thrive on being challenged."
"I can't say enough about these fifth-year seniors that decided to come back because of the love of the game and the love of their teammates. A lot of these guys have been on the field since I've been here. It was rewarding for me to see these guys win six games and win a very special game today."
"The emphasis on the football game was to run the ball because it was so hard to throw. We slid our linebackers toward the tight end side. That put our guys in better positions to elude blocks."
