On Nov. 9, the cross-town rival Wofford defeated the Paladins for the second consecutive year. In the game that became Furman’s fourth consecutive loss of the season, Wofford prevailed behind its highly physical rushing attack, led by senior running back Ryan Ingram, and its stout defense in a close game from whistle to whistle. Ultimately, Furman’s offensive mistakes were what determined the outcome of the game.
Following last week’s loss at Virginia Military Institute, the Paladins came out determined to make a statement, with sophomore quarterback Carson Jones leading a quick scoring drive capped off by a touchdown run from junior running back Myion Hicks. The Paladin defense also started strong following a sack by freshman defensive tackle Ty Kauserud, setting up another scoring chance.
However, Furman fumbled on a critical drive that would have given them a two-score lead, deflating the team’s momentum. After that, the Paladins only managed field goals from senior kicker Ian Williams, while Wofford broke the stalemate with a third-quarter touchdown. Furman’s offensive struggles ultimately sealed their 19-13 loss.
When Wofford players taunted Furman players by holding up “L” hand signs as they walked into the locker room, the question arises — how could such a winnable game escape Furman? The answer is simple: too many mistakes in crucial situations such as missed throws and blocking assignments, all amplified by conservative playcalling.
Furman’s offensive playcalling mantra is all about balance. The Paladins are best known for their highly balanced play calls, which keep the defense guessing whether it is a run or a pass. Furman almost equally ran and passed the ball, with 33 passes and 35 rushes throughout the game. Although this strategy seems appealing, the rigidly balanced scheme compromised the potential for explosive plays.
Wofford’s defense struggled throughout the game to defend the pass as Jones threw for 229 yards on 21/33 passing. When it looked as if Furman would continue to abuse this glaring weakness by Wofford, the Paladins stuck to their mantra by running the ball, often met with little to no gain and offensive production sputtered.
The final two-game stretch for Furman begins Saturday, Nov. 16 on the road in Johnson City, Tenn. against #21 ETSU at 12 p.m. The Buccaneers are coming off a victory at home against #22 Western Carolina and are looking to close out their final home game of the season with another victory. The Paladins will then travel to Macon, Ga. to face the #7 Mercer Bears the following Saturday. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.
