CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Gavin Garcia rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns as The Citadel beat Charlotte 43-41 in triple overtime on Saturday in the 49ers’ season opener, following a 1-hour and 15-minute delay due to severe weather.

Garcia scored on runs of 2 and 1 yards in regulation before breaking a 25-yard touchdown run on the Bulldogs’ first overtime possession.

Nick Billoups added 38 yards and two touchdowns, and Sebastien Boyle had 70 yards and a score as the Bulldogs rushed for 268 yards and six touchdowns combined.

Charlotte tied the game at 28 with 24 seconds remaining after Cole Gonzales found Jaylen Hampton for a 6-yard touchdown.

Each team scored a touchdown in the first two overtimes, with Nick Billoups’ 2-yard run pulling The Citadel even at 41 in the second. Both teams failed on their respective conversion attempts.

The Bulldogs converted their two-point attempt to open the third overtime, before Gonzales’ pass on Charlotte’s try fell incomplete.

Gonzales threw for 322 yards and three touchdowns and was intercepted twice. Hampton caught eight passes for 117 yards and two scores. Khamani Alexander rushed for 138 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown on his first carry since transferring from Appalachian State.

The Citadel won the schools’ only previous meeting, 63-56 in double overtime in 2014.

Up next

49ers: Visit No. 9 Ole Miss next Saturday.

Bulldogs: Host Charleston Southern on Saturday. ___