"A New Me"

Today as I write this entry I am happy, but yet sad to say that I am free from football. As I took my pads off for the last time in the swamp I felt as if I had lost a good friend of mine that had been with me for over 14 years. Football has been a part of me as long as I can remember and now life without it is different. Now I must look into finding another activity that I can compete in and find some belonging to. So this is me signing off as a football player...

"The Swamp"

On Saturday November 22, 2008 I had the opportunity to play my last game in Florida, in the Swamp. The swamp was everything I had hoped it would be, it was loud, beautiful, and in your face, I have never seen fans that much into a team in my life. It was truly a college environment unlike no other. Now as I wrap up my football career it is time for me to set my sites on a new way of life, a life of work and relaxation. I am just so ecstatic of what life has in stored for me now... As for my teammates still on the team I wish them the best of luck and always represent The Citadel in the best of your abilities.

"My Last Home Game"

As the week progressed onto Saturday I began realizing that this weekend would be my last time playing in Johnson Hagood Stadium. I didn't realize that I would feel as sad as I did after the game against University of Tennessee Chatanooga. The Mocs gave us a great game as we defeated them 24-21 at the end of the 4th quarter. Friday night in the hotel in North Charleston my teammates had promised me the game of my life and that is exactly what they did. We fought and scratched our way to a highly deserved win. Go bulldogs...

"Just stopping By"

Hi everyone I was just thinking about this weekend's game and I felt it was imperative for me to share my thoughts with you about this particular game. The game played by The Citadel and Wofford is one that many one would say is just another game, but for The Citadel and its players it is one that is always played with high emotion. The reason is because of the history that dates back between the two schools, Wofford was always known as the privilidged upper class guys, and The Citadel was more of the blue collar guys that worked hard for everything. I can't wait to play these guys on Saturday in their stadium, I think it is going to be another great one...

Oh yeah don't forget to check us out on CSS the network for southern sports this weekend...

"Emotion is Key"

Today as I write this entry I feel assured that the bulldogs still have the desire and passion that we initially had as the season began. These particular emotions were displayed countless times on Saturday evening during the game against Georgia Southern Eagles. The team came out amped and ready for anything that the Eagles would bring. Many of the players played far above and beyond their level of play by making and executing plays that were not designed for them to make. Overall I must say that I am extremely proud of the dogs and what we did this weekend, although we suffered another hurting defeat in triple overtime against the Georgia Southern Eagles.

"Focus and Determination"

As the bulldogs go into week 9 with another L in the loss category, individuals on the team feel as if they are at a crossroads. The players can either stay with the ideals of the coaches and captains or go against them and refuse to play hard and with determination. These are some of the feelings that taunt many of the players on a daily basis. The way to get over these hard and depressing feelings is to remain focused and determined in knowing that what we are doing here at The Citadel will pay off, and as a result the team will be proud that it ended with a decent and encouraging record. The bulldogs will have another chance at fate when they face Georgia Southern in week 9 in Johnson Hagood Stadium...

"We Believe"

We believe is a quote that is harped on on a daily basis from the coaches to the alumni. Everyday as the team goes into the lockerroom there are signs that reiterate this theme. Although these quotes are placed on the walls throughout the football complex there are some that are losing this particular feeling. Daily as the dogs go into meetings coaches state that in order for us to win we must be able to pay attention to the little things and improve on the technique. This can be said but the problem is it's not being done consistently, so how does the team get this? The team must stay positive and look foward never worrying about past defeats and this will allow the dogs the opportunity to win a game...

"A New Day"

After a very hard and extremely tough game against the Elon Phoenix the Bulldogs suffer another defeat. This particular lost hurt the most because it was one that at many times seemed to be going in our favor. In the end the Bulldogs could not make the plays that were needed in order to pull out a win.

After the game our defensive coordinator made one particular statement that I feel was very relevant for the occasion and that was that "Tommorow is another day and the good thing is that the sun will always rise the next day" a qoute I feel any man, woman, boy, or girl can use on a daily basis as they go through life. As a result as a competitor I will do just that....

"The Pain of Defeat"

Today as I write this cut I feel as if I did not do everything possible for my team to be successful against the Mountaineers last Saturday. There is that feeling that if I would have made the proper steps or stunted in the correct gap, things would have been different. These feelings and attitudes are circulating around the Bulldog's locker room and everyone knows that the only thing that will make things better is to come out on Tuesday and have a great practice. The team must have the ability to gain the attitude of a champion in order for us to play deep into November. So now it is up to us as players to step it up and play like we know how to play...

"A Defense finds its Identity"

For the past 3 weeks the Citadel Bulldog's Defense has been a unit that many would say was inconsistent. As week 4 approached the leaders on the defense decided that the unit must find its "swag" and play like a championship defense. As a result the defense came into week 4 practice focusing on technique and on how to get their hearts and minds on football. As a result the defense played with high intensity and a desire to get to the ball and cause mass destruction when they got there. At the end of the day when the Bulldogs stepped into Johnson Hagood Stadium to play the Western Carolina Catamounts they had what many would say was its "swag." As a result the defense presented a dominating performance for the fans at Johnson Hagood on Saturday with stunning numbers in rushing and passing percentage stops...

Disrespect for the Institution

Today I make my entry concerning a very controversial subject but I feel is relevant. As the football team prepared for the Princeton Tigers so did their band and other affiliates. The tigers band decided to march onto campus on Friday, parade over to the athletic facilities, and make a mockery of the corp of cadets. To me this proved to be a sign of disrespect for the institute and everything that the school represents. As game day gradually approached, the band decided to make further mockery of the school by having a Santa Clause and a Jack in the Lantern to present during half time indicating their disgusts for Citadel ideals and principles. Overall I must say that I am extremely proud of the institute that I attend and I am glad that we beat those Tigers!

"Maxing and Relaxing"

This weekend is one that many bulldogs don't see very often, it is a weekend of relaxation without any games or worries. My plans for this weekend is to relax and try to recover from the bumps and bruises that I acquired over the previous weeks. As a team we have the opportunity to get together and enjoy one anothers company in a setting other than on the grid iron. This weekend also proves to be important because the coaches can scheme and input any new plays that they feel may be relevant for the next game to come.

Defeat in Death Valley

After a hurting defeat against the Clemson Tigers on Saturday the Bulldogs have a week to get back to the basics and work on technique. I am extremely excited for my opportunity to redeem myself and work on getting another win under our belt. As a team, spirits remain high and minds and hearts seem to be set on the next team on the schedule Princeton.

My focus now is to see where I can improve and how I can properly communicate with my teammates in order to continue having the guys high spirited and "hungry." The next test will be how we react as a team during practice this week since we have a by-week..

The Journey of an Old Dog

Today is August 28, 2008, and it is game week, anticipation remains high among all bulldogs on the 2008 football team. An old bulldog named chainsaw remains beat up, but well prepared for his first last game that he will ever play. This old dog is me, Kevin McCaskill, an individual that can say he has been there done that for many years. All will see how this old dog performs on August 30, 2008 against Webber International at Johnson Hagood Stadium at 7:00.

Go Dawgs!!!