Furman Paladins
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The Furman Paladins and Anderson Trojans meet for the first time with an awesome dynamic of former Paladin greats who are coaches in Clay Hendrix and Bobby Lamb. Both have been coaches at Furman and players and have accounted for 176 wins in Paladin stadium as both coach and player. We are set to open week 0 at Paladin stadium, the fans are ready and so are the players to start 2026 in college football.
#DinsWin pic.twitter.com/r8eb2g0olt
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) August 28, 2026
1st Quarter
The Paladins kick it off and the first play for Anderson the Trojans fumble the ball and we are under review. The paladins get the ball but was unable to do anything and then missed the possible field goal at 12:28 in the 1st quarter. Anderson then was able to move the ball, yet Furman holds and then takes over at the 10-yard line. Furman moves the ball very little and is punting away as Anderson is playing very strong defense.
@AUTrojansFB 0@PaladinFootball 3
5:33 2nd Quarter @SSN_Furman @soconpulse @GSM_SoCon @GSM_Sports13 @Greenvillesm @PGLoveSports pic.twitter.com/ywbHzmdUCX— GSM_Furman (@GSM_FurmanJoust) August 28, 2026
Furman’s defense is playing bend but don’t break and is holding Anderson from getting any rhythm, while also letting the offense get the ball in a solid position. The offense is sputtering and is punting away yet again and with just a little over a minute to go pins Anderson back at the 16-yard line. We will end the 1st quarter with a scoreless tie. Anderson will punt the ball from the 20-yard line as the Quarter ends.
2nd Quarter
The Paladins will take over at the 35-yard line to start the 2nd quarter. The teams seem to be at a standstill, and both are keeping the offense from going anywhere. The Paladins have kept the QB on the run, and the Trojans are doing their best to keep him up on his feet. The Paladins will need to move the ball better and allow the defense to rest. The Paladins get a huge run by #6 CJ Nettles a 47-yard run to the Trojan 25-yard line. Furman gets the score by a 40-yard FG with 7:10 left in the half.
@AUTrojansFB 0@PaladinFootball 0
4:39 1st Quarter @SSN_Furman @soconpulse @AUTrojans @FurmanPaladins @SotgSports @PGLoveSports pic.twitter.com/Jp0COjy8kw— GSM_Furman (@GSM_FurmanJoust) August 27, 2026
The Paladins after holding Anderson is able to get a touchdown and the Paladins get the score and its 10-0 Furman now as they seem to be wearing out the Trojans defense. The game at the two-minute warning is 10-0 with the Trojans at the Paladin 32-yard line. The Trojans are pushing the ball in field goal range now. The Trojans call time out with 1:41 left and on the 17-yard line. The Trojans go for a field goal a 28 yard and its good and its 10-3 with 1:16 left in the half. The Paladins get the ball and race down the field and are at the 34-yard line of Anderson with 34 seconds left in the half. The Paladins run the ball to the 21-yard line with 23 seconds left the Paladins call a timeout. Jake Garcia runs it in with 8 seconds left to score, but the play is under review. Garcia stepped out at the one-yard line and Furman will have to try one more time to get a score. The Paladins score and its 17-3 at halftime here at Furman.
@AUTrojansFB 0@PaladinFootball 10
3:02 2nd Quarter @soconpulse @GSM_FurmanJoust @GSM_SoCon @GSM_Sports13 @PGLoveSports @GreenvilleSM pic.twitter.com/qriZpgGevk— Sidelines – Furman (@SSN_Furman) August 28, 2026
The halftime numbers are:
Furman 21-139 Rushing 97 Yards Passing 35-236 Total Offense 13:08 Possession Time
Anderson 13-9 Rushing 121 Yards Passing 34-130 Total Offense 16:52 Possession Time
3rd Quarter
The Paladins get the ball and start right down the field, yet Anderson intercepts the ball at the 4-yard line and its first down Trojans. Anderson really needs a score bad to get back in this game, and the Paladins need a stop but instead get a ruffing the passer call and its first down Trojans. Furman holds and the Trojans must kick from its 38-yard line to the Paladins. The Paladins take the ball down to the 12-yard line and miss the field goal and Anderson will take over with 41 seconds left in the 3rd Quarter. The Trojans end the quarter 2nd and 13 on the 17-yard line as we head to the 4th quarter here at Paladin stadium 17-3.
Ben Croasdale with the moves! pic.twitter.com/h1Y5tplf1p
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) August 28, 2026
4th Quarter
The Paladins take the ball right down the field and get a 30-yard field goal to make the score 20-3 with 9:05 left in the game. The Paladins have really started to wear down the Trojans late in the game and keep them off the field on offense.
Ben Croasdale carries into the end zone⚔️#EliteIsTheStandard | #FUAllTheTime pic.twitter.com/5SDMzEgbNo
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) August 28, 2026
Furman’s defense recorded seven tackles-for-loss and held Anderson to just six rushing yards and 160 yards of total offense as the Paladins downed the Trojans, 20-3, in the season opener for both teams Thursday night at Paladin Stadium.
Caldwell Bussey with a SACK!!!! 💥 pic.twitter.com/MUbleSonQ7
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) August 28, 2026
The Paladin offense grinded out 268 yards on the ground and outgained the Trojans 451-160 to claim the first meeting between the schools. CJ Nettles led the Furman rushing attack with 99 yards on 10 carries, including a 47-yard burst in the first half, while quarterback Jake Garcia added 183 passing yards and 51 yards on the ground.
Furman limited the Trojans to only 30 yards of offense in the second half and Chapman converted on a 30-yard kick with 9:05 remaining for the final 20-3 margin.
CJ Nettles with a 47 yard run! pic.twitter.com/F776cp7NYL
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) August 27, 2026
Eli Lipscomb compiled six tackles, including three tackles-for-loss, a sack, and two quarterback hurries for the Paladins while Raleigh Herbert added six tackles. Freshman Braylon Peebles broke up two passes in the Furman secondary.
The Paladins (1-0) are back in action on Saturday, September 5, when they travel to Knoxville, Tenn., to face the Tennessee Volunteers. Kickoff at Neyland Stadium is slated for 3:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on SEC Network+.
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