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Charleston, S.C. - Bulldog quarterback Dominique Allen accounted for 204 yards of total offense including 99 yards rushing and two touchdowns as The Citadel defeated Western Carolina, 28-10, Saturday night at Johnson Hagood Stadium in the Southern Conference opener for both squads.

The Bulldogs (2-0, 1-0 SoCon) scored four rushing touchdowns -- three after the Catamounts pulled ahead for the first time in the game midway through the third quarter -- to secure the victory.

Trailing 7-3 at intermission after a Logan Howard field goal late in the second quarter, Western Carolina (1-1, 0-1 SoCon) managed to grab its first lead at the 6:48 mark of the third quarter as Detrez Newsome capped a six-play scoring drive, cruising in untouched from four yards out to pull ahead, 10-7. Newsome spurred the drive with a 45-yard romp and totaled 55 of the yards on the possession.

Newsome finished with 192 all-purpose yards, rushing for 121 and adding 59 yards on three kickoff returns.

The Bulldogs responded, though, with a grueling 12-play drive that encompassed 65 yards and ended with six points to put The Citadel ahead for good. The scoring play wasn't without drama, however, as running back Vinny Miller had the ball forced loose on a hit behind the line of scrimmage by WCU safety, Fred Payne. However, the bouncing ball rolled forward and was recovered in the end zone by receiver Jorian Jordan for the go-ahead score.

Evan McField tacked on a rushing score early in the fourth quarter with Allen rushing for his second touchdown to cap the scoring after WCU lost a fumble midway through the final frame to provide the final tally.

Catamount quarterback Troy Mitchell finished 19-of-40 for 187 yards with two interceptions -- one coming on a desperation heave on the final play of the game. Junior slot receiver C.J. Goodman was his favorite target, finishing with a career-high seven catches for a career-best 109 yards including a long first half reception of 46 yards.

Defensively, sophomore linebacker Daniel Riddle paced the squad with a game-high 14 tackles including three solo stops, while also forcing a fumble. End Caleb Hawkins and linebacker Tyson Dickson both tallied 10 stops with Dickson punching the football loose for a second Bulldog fumble while senior A.J. McKoy posted a career-best nine tackles.

Western Carolina steps out of conference next Saturday as it travels to Knoxville, Tenn., to face the No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm on ESPNU.