Furman Paladins
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By Hunter Reid
Senior Aziz Foster-Powell rushed for 125 yards on 25 carries and 19th-ranked Richmond survived a Hail Mary pass attempt into the endzone on the final play to escape with a 13-9 victory over Furman Saturday afternoon at Robins Stadium.
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 26, 2026
After taking over possession with under a minute to go in the fourth quarter at its own 15-yard line, Furman marched to the Richmond 29, but Connor Ackerley’s heave to the middle of the endzone as time expired was tipped up into the air and fell harmlessly to the turf.
Ryan Earl collects the Spider fumble and returns it to Furman 16. pic.twitter.com/6TlldBnRCC
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 26, 2026
The Paladins trailed 10-9 at the half before Richmond extended its advantage on Kyle Bitsko’s 30-yard field goal with 5:34 left in the third quarter. Furman denied the Spiders by forcing a fumble at the goal line on Richmond’s next possession. Following an exchange of punts, Caleb Easterling dove to secure Furman’s third interception of the game and give the Paladins the ball at the Spider 27, but Richmond forced a turnover-on-downs to stop the Paladins at the 20-yard line with 2:28 left.
Caleb Easterling gives Furman a chance with the the INT! pic.twitter.com/AxZIrarJxN
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 26, 2026
After picking up a first down, Richmond’s possession was halted and Joshua Tarver called for a fair catch on the punt at the Furman 15 with 53 seconds remaining. Ackerley scrambled for the 13 yards on the first play of the drive and connected with runner back Ben Croasdale for 13 yards two plays later. A pass completion to Jackson Pryor got the Paladins into Richmond territory and Luke Shields hauled in a pass to reach the Spiders’ 31-yard line with nine seconds to go before back-to-back incompletions ended Furman’s attempt to rally.
Nathan Chapman 49-yard FG on the final play of the 1H! pic.twitter.com/8pA9tqOdNt
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 26, 2026
The Spiders (4-1) sacked Ackerley five times while limiting Furman to just 215 yards of total offense, including only 78 rushing yards. Foster-Powell led a Richmond rushing attack that compiled 188 yards as the Spiders totaled 355 yards of offense.
Connor Ackerley scrambles for the 1st down! pic.twitter.com/XQEUs2Y0He
— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 26, 2026
Placekicker Nathan Chapman converted on field goal attempts of 33, 42, and 49 yards to provide all of Furman’s points. Ackerley, making his first start as a Paladin, connected on 15-of-30 passes for 137 yards and led Furman with 14 rushes for 35 yards.
The Paladins (2-3) return home next Saturday, October 3, to hosts instate rival Wofford for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff at Paladin Stadium.
Credit: furmanpaladins.com
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