The Citadel @ Chattanooga

The Citadel knocked off Chattanooga 21-15 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on Feb. 1, 2024, in a dual that hinged on bonus-point wrestling in the middle and upper weights. The final margin came down to a string of majors by the visitors that pushed The Citadel past Chattanooga.

Chattanooga collected a key major when Brayden Palmer dominated Malik Hardy, taking an 8-0 major decision at 125 for four team points. That kind of bonus scoring kept UTC within striking distance as the dual stayed tight through the lighter classes.

The turning stretch belonged to The Citadel in the upper weights. Jeffrey Boyd slammed out an 18-4 major at 149 and Benjy Haubert added another major with a 10-2 decision at 165, and Patrick Brophy closed with a 20-11 major at 197. Those three majors supplied The Citadel with the critical bonus points that produced the decisive swing on the scoreboard.

In the end, bonus points separated the teams more than any single pin or upset. Chattanooga’s ability to rack up a major early kept the match competitive, but The Citadel’s run of major decisions in the upper classes ultimately decided the day and left the visitors with a 21-15 road victory.