Amid a tough week following Hurricane Helene, the Paladins accomplished a gritty road win over The Citadel on Saturday, Oct. 5. A frustrating 13-0 deficit late in the third quarter soon became an incredibly physical comeback for the Paladins as they clawed back to a 17-16 victory.
Furman’s first three quarters were far from ideal. The Paladins could only muster 29 rushing yards on 23 carries and struggled to get off the field on defense. This allowed the Bulldogs to dominate in time of possession, leading Furman to stare at defeat in the eyes by the end of the third quarter.
However, with the odds stacked against them, the Dins defense and freshman quarterback Trey Hedden made the difference when it mattered most. The Paladins marched 78 yards down the field midway through the fourth quarter, aided by Hedden’s flurry of accurate passes that ended with a touchdown to junior wide receiver Ben Ferguson. Furman’s defense then forced a crucial three-and-out, putting the ball back in the hands of Hedden, who once again led a drive that resulted in a touchdown to freshman tight end Jackson Pyror. The Citadel’s hopes to get into field goal range for theto win ended abruptly as redshirt freshman cornerback Jaylen Moson sealed the game with an interception.
Despite the incredible comeback victory, Furman still has plenty to learn this week as they prepare to host Chattanooga at Paladin Stadium on Oct. 12. The lack of production on the ground will only stymie any further offensive production, putting unnecessary weight on Hedden. The only solution to this is better execution by the offensive line. If the Dins can adjust their scheme and focus on run blocking, they will not have to rely on Hedden to get them out of holes.
The Chattanooga Mocs are coming off a two-game winning streak, led primarily by their veteran QBquarterback, Chase Artopoeus, and running back Reggie Davis. The Mocs are looking to to redeem themselves after two defeats against the Paladins in 2023, both of which ultimately crowned Furman the Southern Conference champions. If Furman wants to win this game, they must run the ball efficiently and get off the field on third down on defense. The Paladins will face the Mocs at Paladin Stadium at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12. The game will also be streamed on ESPN+.
