Paladins Survive late scare to down Camels 28-24!

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Final Score – Furman 28 Campbell 24

Buies Creek, N.C. — Sept. 13, 2025

The Furman Paladins (2-1, 0-0) made the trip up from Greenville, SC to Buis Creek, NC looking to bounce back from an overtime loss to Presbyterian last week against host Campbell. The Camels (0-3, 0-0) were looking to get their first win of the season in their home opener at Barker-Lane Stadium.

The Paladins wasted little time getting points on the board as they took the opening drive 70 yards over 4:30 of game time to take an early 3-0 lead at the 10:30 mark in the first quarter. The 23-yard field goal off the foot of Ian Williams capped the scoring drive for the visiting Paladins. Sophomore Trey Hedden started hot on the opening drive finishing 5-7 for 57 yards completing several tough throws to the boundary. The Camels took their opening drive 24 yards over 7-plays, however the drive stalled with the Paladin defense stepping up to get a much-needed sack on 3rd down.

The Camels would respond on their 2nd drive of the game, putting up the first touchdown of the game at the 14:25 mark of the second quarter. Kamden Sixkiller hit Randall King on a 4-yard strike to give the Camels the 7-3 lead. Sixkiller started the game 9-10 for 88 yards through the air on the first 2 drives.

The Camels would maintain momentum as the first turnover of the game occurred on the ensuing Paladin drive. Chase Arrington intercepted the Paladin reverse pass ending a promising start to the Paladin drive. The Paladins though would quickly force a 3 and out to keep the score at 7-3.

The Paladins would respond with a touchdown of their own with 5:47 to go in the half. Sophomore Trey Hedden hit Jackson Pryor for the 24-yard touchdown score giving the Paladins the lead once again. The Paladins would add 2 more points with a successful conversion to give them an 11-7 lead.

The Camels would add a late 34-yard field goal as time expired in the half cutting the lead to 11-10 as both teams went to the halftime locker room. Both QB’s stayed hot in the second half . Paladin QB Trey Hedden finished the half 14-19 for 126 yards and a TD, Kamden Sixkiller finished the half for the Camels 15-19 for 137 yards and 1 TD as well.

Campbell received the ball to open the 2nd half and methodically drove 75 yards for the touchdown with 8:17 left in the quarter. The drive was capped off by a 1-yard TD by JJ Cowan. Sixkiller continued to showcase his arm as he finished the drive 7-7 for 48 yards on the scoring drive.

Trey Hedden and the Paladins would answer right back though with a touchdown of their own as the lead would change hands again. Jayquan Smith would bull his way into the endzone on a 1-yard TD run. The drive would cover 84 yards on 9 plays. The Paladins would swing the momentum back in their favor as both teams continued to go back and forth.

The Camels started the 4th quarter by answering the Paladin score as JJ Cowan got his 2nd rushing touchdown of the game, rumbling 7 yards to put Campbell back in front. The drive was 75 yards on 10 plays and took 4:12 off the clock.

The lead would be cut in half on the next Paladin drive as Williams would hit his 2nd field goal of the contest. The 28-yard field goal would put the score at 24-21 with 11:59 to go in the game. The Paladins would take the lead on a 30-yard TD grab from Hedden to freshman Evan James giving the Paladins a 28-24 lead with 4:50 left in the game. James ran a beautiful corner route turning his defender around for a wide-open score. The grab would be James’ 10th on the day for 134 yards and a TD.

The game would come down to the final drive once again for the Paladins. This time the Paladins would find themselves on the right side of the scoreboard. The Paladins got a sack on 4th and 5 with 16 seconds to go in the game. The sack would seal the win for Furman who got their 2nd win of the season.

Trey Hedden would lead the Paladins 26-35 for 314 yards and 2 TDs. Evan James would finish with 10 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown. The Paladins are off next week before returning to the field against Samford.