Furman’s football team started their 2025 season off with a decisive 23-21 victory over William & Mary as the Paladins hosted their first game of the season on Saturday, Aug. 30.
The teams had previously met last season on Sept. 21 when the Tribe bested Furman 34-24 in Williamsburg, Va.
In the Tribe’s first drive, junior quarterback Tyler Hughes threw the ball to Furman graduate safety Taylen Blaylock, who scampered down the sideline for a touchdown with 13:26 left to play in the first quarter.
Blaylock was in a Paladin uniform for the first time since transferring from Lindenwood University. Along with the 43-yard interception, he had six tackles, two tackles for loss, and a pass break up in the game.
In the second quarter, William & Mary’s graduate running back Rasad Raymond tied the game 7-7 with a three-yard rush.
On Furman’s next drive, sophomore quarterback Trey Hedden went under center and rolled out to the right to throw a four-yard pass caught by freshman wide receiver Evan James in the end zone, putting Furman up 14-7 at halftime.
William & Mary opened up the second half by scoring twice in the third quarter, pushing to a 21-14 lead as the game wound down. With 1:37 left in the quarter, Furman’s possession ended with a 50-yard field goal by graduate kicker Ian Williams, leaving the Dins trailing 21-17.
In the fourth quarter, redshirt sophomore defensive end Joshua Stoneking had two key sacks on William & Mary’s Hughes, building momentum for the Dins.
Williams then booted another field goal with 10:55 left in the quarter, narrowing the score to 21-20.
On the next Furman drive, the offense marched down the field in a 39-yard possession before Williams, a Preseason All-American selection, kicked yet another field goal that flipped the lead 23-21.
Furman’s defense stayed firm and stopped the Tribe three times to hold onto a 23-21 victory.
The Paladin offense produced only 237 yards, but Hedden completed 21-of-29 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown.
Next Saturday, Furman will host Presbyterian College at Paladin Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m., and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
