On Saturday, Oct. 4, Furman’s football team hosted East Tennessee State University in a key Southern Conference match up. As time expired, Furman’s redshirt freshman cornerback Jordan Miller intercepted a pass and took it to the endzone for a 95-yard touchdown to secure the 31-22 victory for the Paladins.
In the first half, ETSU seemed to dominate.
With 9:30 left in the first quarter, the Buccaneers blocked a punt from graduate kicker Ian Williams. The ball remained live as redshirt senior tight end Cole Keller took the ball and ran it into the end zone for a touchdown. ETSU then went for two and got it, putting them up 8-0.
Furman responded with 3:53 left in the quarter as sophomore quarterback Trey Hedden powered through the middle for a 1-yard touchdown, putting Furman on the board as the Dins trailed 8-7.
In the second quarter, the Buccaneers responded with a rushing touchdown, leading 15-7.
ETSU carried their momentum through halftime and scored only 11 seconds into the third quarter, leading 22-7.
Furman then went on to score 24 unanswered points.
The Paladin offense gained 75 yards in eight plays, with Hedden throwing a bullet pass to redshirt sophomore wide receiver Ja’Keith Hamilton for a 10-yard touchdown. Furman now only trailed 22-14.
With 6:51 left in the quarter, Williams booted a 44-yard field goal to add three more points to the scoreboard, helping Furman narrow the score to 22-17.
ETSU remained in the lead until 3:57 left in the game, when Hedden threw a pass that darted up in the air as he was hit. Hamilton ran across the middle, jumping between two ETSU defenders to snag the ball and run it into the endzone for a 53-yard touchdown.
Hedden then hit graduate tight end Luke Clyburn for a successful two-point try, putting Furman in the lead for the first time in the game.
As the Dins were up 25-22, ETSU attempted a long pass that Miller caught as time was expiring, shifting possession. He raced down the field for a 95-yard touchdown, sealing the win for Furman 31-22.
Miller’s last minute play is the third-longest interception in Furman history.
Furman’s defense was led by redshirt sophomore defensive end Joshua Stoneking, who accounted for three sacks. Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Caldwell Bussey also contributed seven tackles and a blocked field goal.
On the offensive side, Hedden threw for a career-high 358 yards, two touchdowns and went 36-of-49 through the air. Hamilton led all receivers with 141 receiving yards.
The offense also had a season-high of 500 yards, 358 through the air and 142 rushing.
The Paladins will return to the field next Saturday, Oct. 11 as they travel to Cullowhee, N.C. to face off against the Catamounts of Western Carolina University. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m., and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
