What Is 2007 The Citadel Bulldogs football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2007 The Citadel Bulldogs football team represented The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, during the 2007 NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 7–5 overall record under head coach Kevin Higgins.

Key Facts

The 2007 The Citadel Bulldogs finished the season with a 7–5 overall record
Head coach Kevin Higgins led the team in his sixth season at the helm
The Bulldogs played their home games at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston, SC
They competed in the Southern Conference (SoCon) and went 5–3 in conference play
Quarterback Ben Dupree led the team with 1,136 rushing yards, a rare feat for a QB

Overview

The 2007 The Citadel Bulldogs football team represented The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, during the 2007 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing in the Southern Conference (SoCon), the Bulldogs posted a 7–5 overall record and a 5–3 mark in conference play, marking a solid performance under head coach Kevin Higgins.

Playing their home games at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina, the team showcased a strong rushing attack, consistent with The Citadel's traditional offensive style. The season reflected steady improvement under Higgins, who was in his sixth year as head coach, and featured standout individual performances that drew national attention.

Record: The Bulldogs finished the season with a 7–5 overall record, their best since 2002, demonstrating progress in the program’s rebuilding phase.
Conference Play: They went 5–3 in Southern Conference games, tying for third place in the final standings, ahead of schools like Western Carolina and Chattanooga.
Home Field: All home games were played at Johnson Hagood Stadium, one of the oldest FCS stadiums, with a capacity of approximately 10,500 fans.
Head Coach:Kevin Higgins was in his sixth season, having taken over in 2002, and continued to emphasize discipline and a power-running game.
Notable Game: A 38–35 victory over Western Carolina on October 20, 2007, featured a 100-yard rushing performance by quarterback Ben Dupree.

Key Players and Performance

The 2007 season was defined by standout individual efforts, particularly from dual-threat quarterback Ben Dupree and a resilient defense that forced key turnovers. The team’s identity remained rooted in physical, run-oriented football, consistent with The Citadel’s long-standing traditions.

Ben Dupree: The sophomore quarterback rushed for 1,136 yards on 199 carries, becoming one of the few FCS QBs to top 1,000 rushing yards in a season.
Passing Leader: Dupree also passed for 1,018 yards and nine touchdowns, showing dual-threat capability despite the run-heavy scheme.
Top Receiver: Wideout Marquise Watson led the team with 38 receptions for 538 yards and four touchdowns.
Defensive Standout: Linebacker Jason Mixon recorded 89 total tackles, including 9.5 for loss, anchoring the defense.
Special Teams: Kicker Eric Schmiesing made 8 of 12 field goal attempts, with a long of 46 yards.
Injuries: The team battled injuries late in the season, particularly on the offensive line, which affected consistency in November.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2007 Bulldogs with the previous two seasons to illustrate year-to-year progress:

Season	Overall Record	SoCon Record	Head Coach	Key Stat
2005	3–8	2–6	Kevin Higgins	32 points per game allowed
2006	5–6	4–4	Kevin Higgins	28 points per game allowed
2007	7–5	5–3	Kevin Higgins	Ben Dupree: 1,136 rushing yards
2006 vs. 2007	+2 wins	+1 SoCon win	Same coach	Improved turnover margin
2005 vs. 2007	+4 wins	+3 SoCon wins	Continuity under Higgins	Defensive improvement

The progression from 2005 to 2007 shows a clear upward trend in performance, both in wins and conference competitiveness. The 2007 season marked the first time since 2002 that The Citadel won seven games, highlighting the program’s development under consistent leadership. The improved defense and dynamic rushing attack signaled a more balanced team compared to prior years.

Why It Matters

The 2007 season was a turning point in The Citadel football program’s trajectory, demonstrating that sustained improvement was possible under long-term coaching leadership. It laid the foundation for future competitiveness in the Southern Conference and highlighted the value of a disciplined, run-first approach at the FCS level.

Program Momentum: The 7–5 record provided momentum into 2008, raising expectations for postseason contention in coming years.
QB Innovation: Ben Dupree’s success as a rushing quarterback challenged traditional FCS roles and inspired future dual-threat designs.
Recruiting Boost: Improved performance helped attract higher-caliber recruits, especially in South Carolina and Georgia.
Fan Engagement: Attendance at Johnson Hagood Stadium increased by 8% compared to 2006, reflecting growing interest.
Conference Standing: A 5–3 SoCon record solidified The Citadel as a mid-tier contender, ahead of bottom-half teams.
Legacy Building: The season contributed to Kevin Higgins’ legacy, who later moved to a coordinator role in college football.

Ultimately, the 2007 The Citadel Bulldogs season stands as a benchmark of progress, combining tradition with emerging talent to achieve one of the most successful campaigns of the 2000s for the program.