What Is 2009 The Citadel Bulldogs football

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 The Citadel Bulldogs football team represented The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, during the 2009 NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 6–6 overall record under head coach Kevin Higgins. They competed in the Southern Conference and played home games at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina.

Key Facts

The 2009 Citadel Bulldogs finished the season with a 6–6 overall record
Head coach Kevin Higgins led the team in his seventh season at The Citadel
The Bulldogs played their home games at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston
They were members of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 2009 season
Quarterback Ben Dupree led the team with 823 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns

Overview

The 2009 The Citadel Bulldogs football team represented The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, in the 2009 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon), the team was led by head coach Kevin Higgins in his seventh year at the helm.

The Bulldogs finished the season with a 6–6 overall record, including a 4–4 mark in conference play, marking a modest improvement over previous seasons. They played their home games at Johnson Hagood Stadium, one of the most storied venues in FCS football, located in Charleston, South Carolina.

Season record: The team posted a 6–6 overall record, their first non-losing season since 2002, showing signs of progress under Higgins’ leadership.
Conference performance: They went 4–4 in Southern Conference play, tying for fourth place in the final standings and remaining competitive in a tough league.
Home field advantage: Johnson Hagood Stadium, with a capacity of over 10,000, has been their home since 1948 and is known for its passionate fan base.
Head coach: Kevin Higgins entered his seventh season in 2009, having taken over in 2004 and working to rebuild the program after years of struggle.
Key player: Sophomore quarterback Ben Dupree emerged as a dual-threat leader, rushing for 823 yards and 7 touchdowns while passing for 1,082 yards.

How It Works

The Citadel’s football program operates under the NCAA Division I FCS structure, balancing military discipline with collegiate athletics. The team’s structure emphasizes physical running plays, disciplined defense, and leadership development in a military environment.

Triple-option offense: The Bulldogs run a triple-option system, emphasizing ball control and misdirection, with over 60% of plays being runs in 2009.
Player development: Cadets train under military standards, with mandatory physical training and leadership courses shaping team culture.
Recruiting strategy: The program targets disciplined high school athletes who meet military standards, often focusing on regional talent in the Southeast.
Game-day operations: Players march onto the field in formation, reflecting the school’s military tradition and emphasizing unit cohesion.
Academic integration: All players are cadets; academic performance is monitored closely, with minimum GPA requirements enforced by the Corps of Cadets.
Season structure: The 12-game season includes 6–7 home games, with potential for SoCon postseason eligibility at 6–5 or better.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2009 Citadel Bulldogs with other top Southern Conference teams in key performance metrics:

Team	Overall Record	SoCon Record	Points Scored	Rushing Yards/Game
The Citadel	6–6	4–4	278	221.3
Appalachian State	9–3	7–1	312	289.4
Georgia Southern	9–3	6–2	345	312.7
Wofford	6–5	5–3	267	198.6
Furman	5–6	4–4	241	176.2

The Citadel ranked in the middle of the SoCon pack in 2009. While they didn’t match the dominance of powerhouses like Appalachian State or Georgia Southern, their rushing attack was among the conference’s best. Their 221.3 rushing yards per game highlighted the effectiveness of their triple-option scheme, though defensive inconsistencies limited deeper success.

Why It Matters

The 2009 season was a turning point in The Citadel’s football resurgence, laying groundwork for future competitiveness in the Southern Conference. It demonstrated the viability of their military-style program in modern college football.

Program momentum: The 6–6 record was the best since 2002, boosting morale and recruiting efforts for the following years.
Player development: Ben Dupree’s emergence signaled a new era of dual-threat quarterbacks at The Citadel, influencing future roster strategies.
Conference relevance: A winning conference record in 2010 followed, showing that 2009 was a foundational step toward consistency.
Military model: The season reinforced how military discipline can coexist with high-level athletic performance in FCS football.
Recruiting impact: Improved performance helped attract higher-caliber athletes who valued structure and tradition.
Alumni engagement: Competitive seasons increased attendance and donations, strengthening long-term program sustainability.

The 2009 season may not have ended in a playoff berth, but it marked a clear shift in trajectory for The Citadel football program. With steady leadership and a commitment to their unique identity, the Bulldogs positioned themselves for greater success in the years to come.