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By Lito with SOTGSports | Finley Stadium, Chattanooga | November 8, 2025
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — For 30 minutes, the Furman Paladins looked every bit the Southern Conference contender they’ve been all season. Tied 21–21 at halftime, in control of the line of scrimmage, and riding the arm of quarterback Trey Hedden, Furman had Chattanooga exactly where they wanted them.
Then the third quarter happened.
In a span of 15 minutes, the Mocs flipped the script, turned turnovers into touchdowns, and turned a shootout into a 45–28 statement victory that left the Paladins searching for answers and the SoCon playoff picture dramatically reshaped.
FINAL BOX SCORE
| TEAM | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | FINAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furman | 7 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
| Chattanooga | 0 | 21 | 17 | 7 | 45 |
First Downs: Mocs 24 | Furman 19 Total Yards: Mocs 478 | Furman 412 Passing: Alberson 18-24, 278 yds, 3 TD | Hedden 21-32, 255 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing: Mocs 200 | Furman 157 Turnovers: Furman 3 (2 TD returns) | Mocs 0 Time of Possession: Mocs 32:11 | Furman 27:49
FIRST HALF: FURMAN IN COMMAND (21–21)
Furman dictated tempo early. After stuffing Chattanooga’s marathon opening drive on 4th-and-1 at the 9, the Paladins needed just two minutes to strike:
- Hedden → 61-yard strike to Trey Hedden (WR) → Ben Croasdale 9-yd TD run. 7–0
The Mocs answered, but Furman kept punching:
- CJ Nettles 5-yd TD run
- Hedden → Kerry King (#7) 9-yd TD (1:58 left in half)
Even after Chattanooga tied it on a 47-yard bomb from Battle Alberson to Markell Quick (#6) in 35 seconds, Furman marched to the Mocs’ 4-yard line in the final seconds—only to see a field goal blocked by CJ Smith (#54).
Halftime: 21–21. Furman had momentum. Or so it seemed.
THIRD QUARTER: THE TIDE TURNS
Furman received the second-half kickoff and drove into Mocs territory. Then disaster.
Ky Tao (#55) stepped in front of a Hedden pass and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown. Mocs 28–21 — in 11 seconds.
A three-and-out followed. Chattanooga added a Jude Kelly FG. 31–21.
Furman responded with fire—a 3-play, 65-yard drive capped by Hedden → Evan James (#16) 43-yd TD. 31–28. The Paladins were back in it.
But only for a moment.
FOURTH QUARTER: MOCS PULL AWAY
Chattanooga answered with a 10-play, 70-yard drive ending in a 1-yard TD plunge by Wyce. 38–28.
On Furman’s next snap: Kam Baah-Slay (#23) forced a fumble. Kaelin Drakeford (#22) recovered.
Two plays later: Alberson → Journey Wyche (#10) for the TD. 45–28.
Furman’s final drive ended with Amanuel Dickeson (#8) intercepting Hedden—his second pick of the night. Ballgame.
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
Battle Alberson (Fr., QB – Chattanooga)
- 18/24, 278 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT
- 66-yd TD, 47-yd TD, 28-yd TD
- Led game-tying drive in 35 seconds before half
- First career start
Furman’s Bright Spot: Trey Hedden (QB) – 255 pass yds, 2 TD, but 2 costly INTs (one returned for TD) Evan James (#16) – 43-yd TD catch, 4 rec, 88 yds
WHAT WENT WRONG FOR FURMAN
- Three turnovers — two directly turned into 14 Mocs points
- Second-half defensive collapse — 24 points allowed after halftime
- Red zone inefficiency — settled for blocked FG instead of points before half
- Run game stalled — only 57 rushing yards after halftime
FINAL TAKE The Paladins came to Chattanooga with confidence and left with a lesson: in the Southern Conference, one quarter can change everything.
Tonight, the third quarter belonged to the Mocs. And so did the game.
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