What Is 2013 The Citadel Bulldogs football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 The Citadel Bulldogs football team represented The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, in the NCAA Division I FCS football season. They finished with a 6–7 record under head coach Kevin Kelley, competing in the Southern Conference.

Key Facts

The 2013 The Citadel Bulldogs football team had a final record of 6–7 overall and 5–3 in conference play.
Head coach Kevin Kelley led the team during the 2013 season, his first full year as head coach.
The Bulldogs played their home games at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina.
They advanced to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2010, losing in the first round to New Hampshire.
Quarterback Dominique Allen was a key player, rushing for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Overview

The 2013 The Citadel Bulldogs football season marked a significant year for the program, representing The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Competing in the Southern Conference (SoCon), the team was led by first-year head coach Kevin Kelley, who took over after Mike Houston departed for another position. The Bulldogs showed marked improvement compared to previous seasons, finishing with a winning record in conference play.

Playing their home games at Johnson Hagood Stadium, one of the most iconic venues in FCS football, the team drew strong support from cadets and alumni. The season culminated in a postseason appearance, their first since 2010, highlighting the team’s resurgence. Key performances came from dual-threat quarterback Dominique Allen, whose rushing ability defined the offense.

Record: The Bulldogs finished the 2013 season with a 6–7 overall record and a 5–3 mark in Southern Conference play, placing them in strong contention for the playoffs.
Playoff Appearance: They earned an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs, losing 45–14 to New Hampshire in the first round on November 30, 2013.
Stadium: Johnson Hagood Stadium, located in Charleston, SC, hosted all home games and has a capacity of 11,500, consistently ranking among FCS attendance leaders.
Head Coach: Kevin Kelley assumed head coaching duties in 2013 after serving as defensive coordinator, bringing continuity and a renewed offensive focus.
Key Player: Quarterback Dominique Allen rushed for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns, becoming the first Citadel QB to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season.

How It Works

The Citadel’s football program operates under NCAA Division I FCS rules, which govern eligibility, scholarships, and postseason qualification. The team’s structure emphasizes a triple-option offense and disciplined defense, typical of service academies and military colleges.

Triple-Option Offense: The Bulldogs run a triple-option scheme that emphasizes ball control and misdirection, relying on the quarterback’s decision-making under pressure.
Southern Conference: As a member of the SoCon since 1936, The Citadel competes against schools like Furman, Chattanooga, and Samford for the automatic playoff bid.
Scholarships: FCS teams are allowed 63 full scholarships, divided among players, though The Citadel awards fewer due to its military structure and cadet requirements.
Playoff Qualification: Teams qualify for the FCS playoffs via automatic bids for conference champions or at-large selections based on win-loss records and rankings.
Recruiting: The Citadel recruits regionally, focusing on athletes who meet military standards and can balance academics with athletic performance.
Game Strategy: The team emphasizes time of possession, often holding the ball for over 35 minutes per game, limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities through disciplined play.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2013 Citadel Bulldogs compared to other top SoCon teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	SoCon Record	Playoff Result	Rushing Yards/Game
The Citadel	6–7	5–3	Lost in First Round	289.4
Furman	6–6	5–3	Did not qualify	187.2
Chattanooga	7–5	6–2	Lost in Quarterfinals	164.8
Wofford	7–5	5–3	Lost in First Round	210.1
Elon	6–6	4–4	Did not qualify	176.3

The Citadel led the conference in rushing offense during the 2013 season, averaging 289.4 yards per game, a testament to their triple-option system. While Chattanooga had a better overall record and deeper playoff run, The Citadel’s ground attack was the most dominant in the SoCon. Their defense ranked in the top half of the conference in points allowed, contributing to their playoff berth despite a losing overall record.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a turning point for The Citadel football program, re-establishing competitiveness after several subpar years. The return to the FCS playoffs signaled progress under new leadership and energized the fanbase.

The season revitalized alumni interest and increased attendance at Johnson Hagood Stadium, boosting morale on campus.
It demonstrated that a triple-option offense could remain effective at the FCS level with the right personnel.
Kevin Kelley’s leadership laid the foundation for future recruiting and program development.
The playoff appearance brought national attention to The Citadel’s athletic program and military education model.
Dominique Allen’s performance set a benchmark for future Citadel quarterbacks in option systems.
The team’s discipline and time of possession influenced other SoCon teams’ defensive strategies in subsequent seasons.

Overall, the 2013 campaign remains a notable chapter in The Citadel’s football history, symbolizing resilience and tactical innovation within the constraints of a military college athletics program.