Furman vs. S.C. State Football
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The FCS 24th-ranked Furman Paladins return home tonight to face the 16th-ranked South Carolina State Bulldogs in a 7:00 p.m. contest at Paladin Stadium.
@SCState_Fb 0@PaladinFootball 0
Game Starts@GSM_Sports13 @SSN_Furman @GreenvilleSM @soconpulse @FurmanPaladins @SCStateAthletic @PGLoveSports @SotgSports pic.twitter.com/e3Pf5lwL2w— GSM_Furman (@GSM_FurmanJoust) September 19, 2026
The game, sponsored by Patel McDonald’s, marks the renewal of a series last active in 2015 and first matchup of two ranked squads in Paladin Stadium since the 2023 season when seventh-ranked Furman knocked off 18th-ranked Chattanooga, 26-7, in FCS second round playoff action.
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 19, 2026
Furman (2-1) cracked the FCS Top 25 poll on the strength of a 20-13 road victory over defending Southern Conference champion and 14th-ranked Mercer on Saturday. S.C. State (3-0), meanwhile, continued its early season opponent destruction by blasting Virginia State, 66-0, on Saturday. The Bulldogs, who have outscored their 2026 foes 184-13, are the third consecutive ranked opponent on Furman’s rugged September schedule.
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 19, 2026
Saturday’s contest will be the 18th football meeting between the two programs. Furman holds a 12-5 in the series, primarily on the strength of an 8-1 worksheet against S.C. State in Greenville. The Paladins earned a 17-3 win in Paladin Stadium in the last encounter, which was played in a driving rainstorm in 2015.
S.C. State 7, Furman 0 | 14:51-1Q
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 19, 2026
The Bulldogs open up the game getting the ball and on the first play of the game hit a huge touchdown pass for a touchdown and its already 7-0 Bulldogs. The Paladins coverage seemed to fail badly, and the Bulldog WR simply flew by and took it to the endzone. After Furman is not able to get the ball down the field, S.C. State gets the ball back and quickly takes the ball down the field. The Bulldogs punch it in for yet another touchdown, and its 14-0 S.C. State over Furman in the 1st quarter 6:28 left to go.
S.C. State 14, Furman 0 | 6:28-1Q
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 19, 2026
The Paladins are able to finally get a huge stop on the Bulldogs on the next series and get the ball back and are getting the offense rolling. The 1st quarter ends with the Paladins 2nd and 8 from the 13-yard line, down 14-0 to the SC State Bulldogs. The Paladins are not able to get a touchdown but are able to get points on the board and are now trailing 14-3 11:59 left in the half.
S.C. State 14, Furman 3 | 11:59-2Q
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 20, 2026
S.C. State gets the ball back and starts its march down the field as Furman is getting blown off the ball. Furman after a holding call is able to stop the Bulldogs and will get a much-needed stop to get the ball back. The Paladins are not able to get the first down and throw an interception and its under review. Paladins win the challenge and the ball was incomplete, and its fourth and five, and they can get the ball back further to the 42 yard-yard line. The Bulldogs get a field goal after the Paladins hold them and its 17-3 Bulldogs over the Paladins with 4:21 left in the half.
https://x.com/PaladinFootball/status/2101472311752732923?s=20
As we come to the two-minute warning the Paladins have the ball on their own 45-yard line trying to get some points before halftime. The Paladins get the ball down to the 32-yard line and its time out with 1:06 left in the half. The Paladins get a first down and get a few more plays before calling yet another timeout as the ball is at the 24 3rd and down. The Paladins miss on a pass play, and the field goal unit comes out and it’s no good but a penalty flag on the play, offside and the Paladins will go for it and will not get the first down.
The @PaladinFootball are struggling to get a rhythm and are down 14 points to the Bulldogs of @SCState_Fb ! pic.twitter.com/LyhAi7Wy7L
— GSM_Furman (@GSM_FurmanJoust) September 20, 2026
The paladins will start the third quarter with the ball after a simply horrid first half versus the Bulldogs of S.C. State. The hopes of the fans are that Coach Hendrix can turn this team around in the locker room and get a score this series. The series starts though with starting QB Jake Garcia getting hurt and Conner Ackerley will take the reins for the Paladins, he throws a one-yard pass and its punting time, and the Bulldogs will take over at the 30-yard line.
Jake Garcia connects with Ethan Harris for a 16 yard pass! 😈 pic.twitter.com/SkZzeZwXbY
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 20, 2026
The Paladins after getting the ball back start moving the ball as they make it to mid field. Conner Ackerley and Ben Croasdale make a huge run to lead Furman down to the 25-yard line. The Paladins will go for yet another field goal for 49 yards and its good and its 17-6 Bulldogs and Furman cuts into the lead and its now 11 with 6:48 left in the third.
Ben Croasdale bounces off defenders down to the SC State 24. pic.twitter.com/uoU7H7cM3R
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 20, 2026
The Paladins get a huge interception by #3 and takes it back to the 45-yard line and its first down Paladins once again. The Paladins get a yards on a penalty thanks to a facemask and its Furman down to the 37-yard line. The Paladins will not be able to get the first down after a sack and kick away with 3:10 left its still 17-6 Bulldogs in the 3rd quarter 3:18 left in the game.
AK BURRELL WITH AN INTERCEPTION 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/pDe27iWfRo
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 20, 2026
The Bulldogs get the ball back, but the Paladins are able to keep them from moving forward, and the Paladins will start at the 39-yard line. The Paladins on the first play fumble the ball and SC State gets the ball and its first down Bulldogs. The Paladins hold the Bulldogs after the Bulldogs go for it on 4th down on the 35-yard line.
The Paladins have a 30 yard catch by Luke Shields 😤 pic.twitter.com/Kzqt2WMg4N
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 20, 2026
The Paladins get a huge pass as we head to the 4th Quarter 1st down at the Bulldogs 35-yard line. The Paladins are going for a field goal and it’s good for 44-yards and its 17-9 Bulldogs ahead of the Paladins who are now only down 8 points with 13:57 left in the game.
Nathan Chapman converts his third FG of the game, from 44 yards!
S.C. State 17, Furman 9 | 13:57-4Q— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 20, 2026
The Bulldogs get the ball back and yet again the Paladins come up big, and the Bulldogs will kick away. Furman will start at the 35-yard line. The Paladins are really starting to find its groove as they get another first down and are slowly getting back in this game. Furman takes the ball all the way down to the Bulldogs 35 and end up losing the ball on downs and the Bulldogs takeover at the 45-yard line.
Joshua Tarver 29-yard punt return! pic.twitter.com/1kgIHNM23e
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 20, 2026
The Bulldogs get a huge run and take the ball all the way down to the Furman 16-yard line. The Paladins defense holds and the Bulldogs will kick a field goal and its good, and its 20-9 Bulldogs with 3:03 left in the game. The Paladins on the first play from scrimmage and they get a huge touchdown pass when Ackerley hits Luke Shields. and then get the 2-point conversion. The game is now 20-17, with 2:43 left in the game and the Paladin faithful are up cheering on the defense in hopes for a huge stop and get the ball back.
Luke Shields with a 67 yard TOUCHDOWN 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/52nbWdDjcF
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 20, 2026
The Paladins get the ball back but are not able to get a first down and it’s a turnover on downs and S.C. State will win this game with 1:57 left in this game unless a fumble or interception happens. The game is over as the Bulldogs win 20-17!
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