The Wofford College football team secured a decisive 42-14 victory over The Citadel on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Gibbs Stadium, marking a strong start to their season. This win is particularly notable for Aiken area residents interested in regional college sports, as it breaks several losing streaks for the Terriers, including five straight season openers, home openers, and Southern Conference openers.
Wofford established a 21-0 lead by halftime and added three more touchdowns in the second half. The Terriers showcased a balanced offensive attack, accumulating 341 total yards, with 181 passing yards and 160 rushing yards. Quarterback J.T. Fayard completed 18 of 26 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Gerald Modest Jr. contributed significantly with 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns, marking his first career 100-yard game.
The defense also played a crucial role, forcing key turnovers. Freshman Eli Campbell blocked a punt, which Davis Penn recovered and returned 45 yards for a touchdown. Ky’Ree Murphy, another freshman, recorded his first career interception. Sophomore Tyce Donnelly achieved his first solo sack, and Elijah Washington forced his first career fumble, recovered by Javario Tinch.
The Citadel’s offense was led by quarterback Quentin Hayes, who had 92 rushing yards and 88 passing yards. The Bulldogs managed 351 total yards, with 227 of those coming from rushing. Despite having a time of possession advantage of 35:05 to Wofford’s 24:55, The Citadel was unable to overcome the Terriers’ early lead and defensive plays.
Head coach Shawn Watson expressed satisfaction with the team’s execution, highlighting the defense’s ability to create good field position and the offense’s overall performance. He also praised the special teams for making big plays and credited the staff and team chemistry for the successful outcome.
This game marked the 90th meeting between the two teams, with The Citadel still holding a historical series lead of 45-34-1, dating back to 1916. However, Wofford has now won four of their last five matchups against the Bulldogs.
