Furman vs. The Citadel Game Notes (PDF)

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) consensus eighth-ranked Furman and The Citadel are set to renew the Southern Conference's oldest and most-contested football rivalry this Saturday when the two longtime league foes tee it up at Paladin Stadium for the signal event of Homecoming Weekend at Furman University.

Kickoff for the ESPN3 broadcast contest is set for 1:05 p.m.

The game will mark the 99th meeting between the Paladins and Bulldogs in a series that began in 1913 and has been played annually since 1946.  Furman owns a commanding 60-35-3 advantage over The Citadel, the 60 wins representing the most by the Paladins against any gridiron foe.  Included in that is a 28-13 worksheet since 1978 and 28-17 triumph last year in Charleston.  Two years ago Furman cruised to a 56-20 verdict in Paladin Stadium.

Coming off a bye weekend, Furman (4-2, 3-0 SoCon), which has won three straight and eight consecutive versus FCS foes while also going 10-1 in its last 11 league games, is off to its best start in league play since 2006.  The Paladins, who walloped Samford, 58-14, on Oct. 5, climbed three spots to eighth in this week's FCS Coaches and STATS FCS polls — the program's highest ranking in 13 years.

The Citadel (3-4, 1-2 SoCon), which leads the FCS in time of possession, averaging over 38 minutes per contest, snapped a two-game skid on Saturday by defeating Western Carolina, 35-17, in Charleston.  Among the Bulldogs' three victories this fall is a 27-24 overtime triumph over Georgia Tech on Sept. 14.

Furman will look to extend its momentum behind an offense that was in full beast mode against Samford, rolling up 647 total yards, including a gaudy 640 yards on the ground.  Junior tailback Devin Wynn, who gave Samford's defense a good look at the back of his No. 22 jersey on touchdown runs of 75 and 89 yards — part of a career high, 217-yard performance — headlines Furman's ground attack.  The Greensboro, Ga., product, is averaging 8.4 yards per carry, the fourth highest best clip in FCS, and has run for 1,151 yards and nine touchdowns over the last 11 games.

Wynn's way has been cleared by a veteran offensive line featuring All-SoCon tackles Andy Godwin and Bo Layton, who have keyed the Paladins' stout ground attack (298.0 ypg).

Furman's explosive running game is complimented by the efficient passing of redshirt freshman Darren Grainger (59x92, 974 yds., 11 TDs), who connected on 6-of-9 passes for 183 yards and four touchdowns in two and half quarters of work versus Samford. The Conway, S.C., native's favorite target this year has been senior wideout Thomas Gordon, who hauled in three of Grainger's four aerial scores against the Bulldogs from Alabama.

While the potent offensive output has garnered attention, it has been the recent work of Furman's defense that has played a major role in the Paladins' move into the FCS Top 10.  The SoCon leader in scoring defense (19.8 ppg), Furman held Mercer to 10 points in a 45-10 rout, surrendered just three second half points in a 17-10 triumph over East Tennessee State, and dominated Samford, limiting a Bulldog offense to just 10 points after it entered the contest averaging 43.4 points per outing.

The stellar work, which has showcased Furman's unit depth, has been headlined by senior spur Jordan Willis (45 tackles), freshman linebacker Braden Gilby (41 tackles), and junior linebacker Elijah McKoy (36 tackles).  All told 19 Paladins have combined to register tackles for-losses this fall.

One of the FCS' top multi-purpose specialists, junior Grayson Atkins, will look to extend his school record of 16 consecutive made field goals if called upon.  The Inman, S.C., product, who leads the SoCon in punting (43.6 avg.), is a major reason the Paladins rank second nationally in net punting.  He has also continued his effectiveness on kickoffs, registering a league-best 25 touchbacks.

Saturday's game will include special recognition of Furman's 1989 and 1999 SoCon Championship teams.  The '89 squad, coached by Jimmy Satterfield reeled off a school record 12 consecutive wins and ran the table in league play en route to a 12-2 season and appearance in the FCS (formerly I-AA) playoff semifinals.  The '99 team fashioned a 9-3 campaign that included a 28-3 triumph over North Carolina.

Members of the Satterfield family will be on hand for a tribute to the late Furman Hall of Fame coach, who passed away earlier this year.

The Game: FCS Consensus No. 8 Furman Paladins (4-2, 3-0 SoCon) vs. The Citadel Bulldogs (3-4, 1-2 SoCon)
Game Sponsor: Bon Secours
Site: Greenville, S.C. (Paladin Stadium, on the campus of Furman University)
Kickoff: 1:05 PM ET
Video Stream: ESPN+/Nexstar Network, Bob Mihalic (pbp), Sam Wyche (analyst)
Radio: Van Wagner/Furman Sports Network (Fox Sports 1440; SidearmSports @FurmanPaladins.com, TuneIn.com): Dan Scott (pbp), David Cobb (analyst); Marcus McMorris (sideline)
Live Stats: StatBroadcast, accessible thru FurmanPaladins.com
Tickets: $25 Available (FurmanPaladins.com); Children 38 inches and shorter admitted free; Timmons Arena, East Stands
Box Offices Open: 11:00 AM
Gates Open: 11:30 AM
Paladin Regiment March/Concert (Timmons Arena to PAC Circle): 11:40 AM
Champions Walk (Paladin Stadium): 12:04 PM
Paladins Beer Garden at Champions Grove Opens: 1:00 PM*

*Champions Grove Beer Garden is located inside Paladin Stadium adjacent to the football field house. Fans with tickets on the West Side of Paladin Stadium may purchase beer and wine between kickoff and the end of the third quarter. Alcohol sales are limited to the Beer Garden only and may not be brought into the stadium seating areas. Patrons under 21 need to be accompanied by a parent.