Nuru Goodrum said he looks forward to football practice every day, even though he knows it will be a two tough hours of a physical grind.

"Football practice is the closest thing to free time I have each day," explained Goodrum, a senior running back for The Citadel (0-2), which will take on Pitt (2-1) at Heinz Field Saturday.

"That should tell you a lot about what we do around here."

Goodrum wasn't joking.

The Citadel is a public institution with about 1,900 students located in Charleston, S.C. The school's stated mission is to "educate principled leaders through its Corps of Cadets."

That means every student enrolled as a cadet must abide by many of the same codes of conduct and discipline as those in the service academies. It means they must abide by an honor code and promise not to lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do.

Each day begins with reveille at 6:30 a.m. and breakfast at 7, and cadets must wear uniforms and march together in formation to and from meals. There is a strict curfew every night, and each cadet must take a full load of academic courses.

The Cadets must be in their room by 7:50 each night (there is a check), then must use the time between 8 and 10:30 as a study period. If they finish their homework, they must find an academic pursuit to fill the time. Lights are out at 11 p.m.

On weekends, regular cadets have some free time, but, even then, Goodrum said underclassmen must be in their rooms at 11 p.m. while upperclassmen have until 1 a.m.

Football players, however, have most of their weekend free time occupied with football, so free time during the season is scarce.

"I know the rules are a little different here; this isn't for everyone," Goodrum said.

"But I came here for the first-class education, the structure, the discipline. I mean, if you can make it through this program -- especially with the added stress of being a student-athlete -- you can make it through anything you'll face in life. Even if you aren't a student-athlete, it is stressful, and there is a lot of pressure.

"My experience here has been tremendous. I've learned a lot. This place builds character, but like I said, not everyone could handle it here."

One main difference between The Citadel and the service academies is that only about 40 percent of the graduates will be commissioned as officers in one of the four branches of the military.

One of the major differences between The Citadel and other schools is that elsewhere 12 credit hours is considered a full-time academic load. Student-athletes at most schools take a minimum load during the season, and they keep on pace to graduate by taking summer classes.

At The Citadel, each student must take between 18 and 21 credits every semester.

"Honestly, you get used to the structure and the discipline," Goodrum said.

"That stuff just becomes second nature almost. You get used to wearing uniforms and marching and whatnot.

"The course work, though, is very difficult so you have to stay on top of it. I mean, there is no break. But that's a good thing because it builds character, and a big reason you come here is for the education."

Goodrum is excited for the opportunity to play against the Panthers because he said it is a chance to challenge himself against players from the highest level of college football.

The Citadel has a history of playing against Division I-A opponents and has enjoyed some success.

The Bulldogs beat South Carolina, 38-35, in 1990 and, in 1992, they beat Arkansas, 10-3, and Army, 15-14. This year, they have lost at Texas A&M, 35-3, and last year they lost to Florida State and Mississippi by a combined score of 89-17.

"It is exciting for a school like ours to get a chance to play in a big stadium against a big-time team," Goodrum said.

"I think what we have building here is something special, and this is another step for us. We're definitely a better team now than we were a year ago and we'll keep getting better."

NOTES -- Part of the tradition of The Citadel is the Summerall Guards, an elite, precision drill team. They will perform in front of Heinz Field before the game and at halftime. ...The Greater Pittsburgh Area Citadel Alumni Club will play host to a tailgate party at Heinz Field before the game. ... Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said the Panthers are almost completely healthy for the game. The only questionable player is offensive guard John Simonitis. ... Wannstedt also said he expects to play freshman defensive lineman McKenzie Mathews, but has not decided on whether he'll use freshman running back Dorin Dickerson.