Furman football players waited menacingly yet joyfully in the locker room for Head Coach Clay Hendrix after Saturday’s 24-20 defeat of #8 Chattanooga. Most players, with open water bottles, filming on phones, and even one holding a trash can, doused the coaches as they entered the locker room for the post-game debrief.
The party likely lasted long into the morning’s wee hours as the Dins toppled the juggernaut of the Southern Conference in Chattanooga. The Dins dashed Chattanooga’s SoCon championship, and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff hopes after Furman played a nearly perfect game for 60 minutes.
Noted as the Dins most signature win of the season, a stout defensive effort and an aggressive, offensive endeavor were the primary factors in the win. Early in the game, the Dins set the tone with a Hugh Ryan interception, setting up the Dins with excellent field position. Despite the Dins exiting the field with zero points after a failed fake-field attempt, the offense remained motivated to put six points on the board.
QB Tyler Huff played an excellent game, passing for 200 yards (1 TD) and 132 rushing yards for one TD. Huff proved vital throughout the game as OC Justin Roper gave him multiple read-option looks paired with great blocking from the offensive line. Huff had a wide open lane to run nine times out of ten. TE Ryan Miller snagged a TD pass from Huff and Joshua Harris, who elevated multiple times for athletic catches.
On the defensive side of the ball, it was near lights out. The Dins nabbed an interception early in the game and would get another later. What was key to the Dins’ victory was their run defense, as the front seven and DBs collapsed on every run around the edge or up the middle, limiting the Moc’s rushing attack to 84 yards.
The Din’s victory propelled them to second in the Southern Conference standings behind Samford, who the Dins lost to earlier in the season. For the Dins to make the SoCon championship game, they must win their remaining games. After the massive upset of the #8 team in the country in Chattanooga, the Dins leapfrogged from #24 in the FCS Top 25 to #13, the team’s highest ranking since 2020.
The Paladins will enjoy a much-needed bye week this week, allowing them to get some practice in for the next game at Mercer. The Dins will return for their final home game and senior night against Wofford on Nov. 19. Go Dins!
