Furman Upsets #14 Mercer 20-13, Croasdale Gets 47-Yard Game Winning Touchdown

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MACON, GA. — Ben Croasdale scored on a 47-yard run with 47 seconds remaining in the game to lift Furman to a 20-13 win over FCS 14th-ranked and defending Southern Conference champion Mercer on Saturday evening at Five Star Stadium.

@PaladinFootball gets a huge SoCon win defeating last years Champion and ranked @MercerFootball !!! Go Paladins! pic.twitter.com/E3auznxWS9

— Sidelines – Furman (@SSN_Furman) September 13, 2026

The win by Furman (2-1, 1-0 SoCon) snapped a 12-game league winning streak by Mercer (2-1, 0-1 SoCon).

Ben Croasdale 47-yard TD burst! pic.twitter.com/ylUhPddmNy

— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 13, 2026

Trailing 13-10 early in the fourth quarter, Furman used a 42-yard punt return by Joshua Tarver to the Mercer 34 to set up a Nathan Chapman 43-yard field goal to tie the contest at 13-13 with 4:53 remaining.

Joshua Tarver puts a bow on Furman's 20-13 win over 14th-ranked Mercer in Macon! pic.twitter.com/olylIK9yr6

— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 13, 2026

The Paladins forced a Mercer punt on the ensuing possession and took over at their own 15 with 1:54 remaining. Quarterback Jake Garcia connected with Daniel Haughton on passes covering 15, 17, and five yards to give Furman the ball at the Mercer 47. On the next play Croasdale raced through a seam in the middle of the Bears defense, bolting untouched 47 yards to the end zone. Chapman’s PAT put the Paladins up, 20-13.

Nathan Chapman knocks home the 43-yard FG to tie it up at 13-13 with 4:53 left. pic.twitter.com/I0g3qUcakN

— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 13, 2026

Mercer covered just 13 yards in five plays to the Furman 47, where Mercer quarterback Jaylen King’s desperation throw on the game’s final play was picked off by Tarver, who returned it 34 yards before sliding to the turf to end the contest.

Joshua Tarver 43-yard punt return! pic.twitter.com/QxNT4Q3L9z

— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 13, 2026

Furman’s defense keyed the victory, recording four interceptions and a fumble recovery to go along with three sacks. Cornerback Caleb Easterling paced the effort with five tackles, two interceptions, and pass breakup.

The four interceptions represented the most by Furman since the Paladins picked off four aerials in a 45-10 win over Tennessee Tech in 2023.

Croasdale topped the Paladins’ 157-yard rushing effort with 74 yards on six carries.

Jake Garcia to Daniel Haughton for the 46-yard TD! pic.twitter.com/PtTbqniQY9

— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 13, 2026

Garcia connected on 18-of-28 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown. His 46-yard scoring strike to Haughton with 1:09 to go in the third quarter gave Furman a 10-6 lead.

Caleb Easterling with his second INT of the game! pic.twitter.com/4VdPv2lEvs

— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 13, 2026

Mercer answered with a nine-play, 74-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown plunge on fourth down by JP Pickles to give the Bears a 13-10 lead.

Caleb Easterling interception! pic.twitter.com/WtRPJjJamU

— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 12, 2026

Haughton topped Furman’s receiving effort with eight catches for 103 yards and a score.

Trevor Short swats the ball away from Mercer's QB and recovers it at the Furman 39! pic.twitter.com/oJnYFdmgJx

— Furman Football (@PaladinFootball) September 12, 2026

Linebacker Raleigh Herbert paced the Paladins with 11 tackles, including two for loss, and a sack.