LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI Football team will close out its 2022 season against a familiar foe, hosting The Citadel in the "Military Classic of the South" as the two sides battle for the Silver Shako. The game will kickoff at NOON from Alumni Field.

THE MILITARY CLASSIC OF THE SOUTH – When VMI and The Citadel meet, it is much more than another football game, as the Silver Shako is on the line. The two sides have faced off 47 times since 1920, with the Silver Shako Trophy being introduced in 1976. After the game, leadership from both Institutes will remain on the field after the game for the presentation of the Trophy to the winning team.

"To me this is why you coach and play college football, for rivalries like this," said VMI Head Football Coach Scott Wachenheim. "This is our biggest game of the year, and it's awesome to play it at the end of the year."

USAA – Saturday's game against The Citadel is presented by USAA. USAA – WE KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO SERVE.
  THE SERIES – The Citadel has the overall edge in the series 43-32-2, but home-field advantage has been key, with the Keydets holding a 17-13-2 record in Lexington. Although The Citadel was victorious last year (35-24), VMI had won the previous two matchups, snapping a 12-game Bulldog winning streak in 2019.

VMI FALLS AT WOFFORD 34-16 – Last Saturday, Wofford was able to capitalize on a pair of fumbles and a punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter as they would stretch their lead to 24-3. Just before the break, Seth Morgan connected with Isiah Lemmond for a 52-yard touchdown. In the second, the Keydet defense allowed just 10 points and Morgan scrambled in for a quarterback keeper, but the Terriers took the game 34-16. Chance Knox (6 catches, 55 yards) and Rashad Raymond (64 yards rushing, 48 yards receiving) led the way offensively, while Alex Oliver and Tahj Summey each had 10 tackles on the defensive side.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS – The Citadel enters with a 3-7 overall record with wins over ETSU, Western Carolina and NCCAA member Virginia University of Lynchburg. In their last SoCon matchup, The Citadel played No. 11 Chattanooga tough, falling 31-21 in Charleston. The Bulldogs are averaging nearly 70 yards more per game on the ground than opponents, but 105 yards less per game in the air. Opponents are also averaging 6.1 yards per play while the Bulldogs average 4.7.

HOW THEY RANK – Special Teams has been a strong point for the Bulldogs, ranking 5th in the nation in punt return defense and 7th in kickoff return defense (15.04 yards per return). The Citadel is disciplined much like VMI, committing just 428 penalty yards this season (24th, FCS). While the run game is the strength of the offense (11th/224.9 yards per game on the ground), the passing offense is 123rd in the country (86.9 yards per game). Jay Graves-Billups is 7th in the league in all-purpose yard average (84.10) and 5th with a kickoff return average of 21.4 yards per attempt. Defensively, Hassan Black's average of 1.0 tackle for loss per game is 4th among SoCon players, while Dominick Poole (4th) Destin Mack (8th) and Chris Beverly (9th) all rank in the top 10 in interceptions per game.

-Noting the Keydets-
NATIONAL NUMBERS – Although some teams have capitalized on big plays, the Keydet defense is holding teams to just 38.5 percent conversion rate on fourth down which is 35^th in the country. The discipline of VMI is one of the best in the country, ranking 26^th in fewest penalties per game. Jack Culbreath's punting average of 43.1 yards per kick is 12^th in the country while Stone Snyder's 9.9 tackles per game ranks 14^th with his average of 5.0 solo tackles per game ranking 32^nd.  
 
SOCON STATS (League games only) – When getting to fourth down, the Keydets have a solid conversion percentage, going 7-for-13 (53.8%) to rank fourth among SoCon teams in that category. VMI draws penalties at the highest rate in the conference with opponents averaging 64.3 yards per game in penalties. Korey Bridy ranks 9^th in the league with an average of 55.3 yards on the ground while Chance Knox is 5^th with 4.4 receptions per game. Bridy's all-purpose yard average of 83.0 also ranks 9^th in league contests. Defensively, Alex Oliver's three interceptions are second-most among SoCon players.