GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman and The Citadel, who together represent the Southern Conference's oldest active football rivalry, are set to clash for the 101st time this Saturday when the Paladins play host to the Bulldogs under the lights of Paladin Stadium, highlighting Military Appreciation Day at Furman. Kickoff for the Bon Secours sponsored event is set for 6:00 p.m.
Saturday's game, which will mark the first night football contest at Paladin Stadium since the 2016 season, will be live streamed via ESPN3 and aired over flagship ESPN Upstate and its four powerhouse stations: 97.7 FM/1330 AM in Greenville, and 97.1 FM/950 AM in Spartanburg. The broadcast can also be accessed via Audacy.com, as well as through FurmanPaladins.com.
Fans may also follow the action through StatBroadcast live stats, accessible via FurmanPaladins.com and get timely updates on twitter @PaladinFootball.
For a complete guide to Furman Football Game Day information, fans are encouraged to click
HERE.
The contest will showcase exciting experiences for fans heading to Paladin Stadium, including the Furman Fan Zone, the Wicked Weed Endzone Experience, and beer & wine sales from the concession stands.
The Furman Fan Zone, located adjacent to the Paladin Statue in front of the stadium, will be open to all fans before the game and include live music on the Ingles Concert Stage, food trucks, inflatables, tailgate games, tailgate opportunities, and beer & wine sales. It will be an energetic and fun pre-game atmosphere that fans can enjoy for free. The area opens at 3:00 p.m. and closes 30 minutes before the start of the game.
The Wicked Weed Endzone Experience is slated to open 30 minutes prior to kickoff and is available to all fans free of charge. It is accessible from both the west and east stands and will feature food sales, as well as the outdoor brewery experience, while offering fans an up-close view of on-field action.
Members of the SoCon since 1936, Furman and The Citadel have squared off on the gridiron every year since 1919, save three years during World War II. The Paladins had the upper hand over the series' first 100 meetings, posting a 60-37-3 advantage, and are 34-15 versus The Citadel in Greenville. The Bulldogs, however, have won the last two clashes, including last year's 26-7 verdict in Charleston. Two years ago The Citadel claimed a 27-10 decision at Paladin Stadium.
Furman (3-2, 1-1 SoCon) returns home to face its historic arch-rival with renewed confidence after putting SoCon Upstate rival Wofford in the kennel, 42-20, on Saturday in Spartanburg.
The Paladins, who struggled offensively in three of their first four games, popped the offensive hood during their off week and made adjustments, most noticeably at quarterback, where true freshman
Jace Wilson responded in his first career start by completing 14-of-23 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown, while also running for a score against the Terriers. Wilson's new status was complemented by Furman's ground game that chewed up Wofford for 289 yards and five touchdowns, headlined by senior tailback
Devin Wynn's 31-carry, 204-yard, two touchdown performance that netted him SoCon Offensive Player of the Week honors. Wynn also continued to display his versatile skill set with a 26-yard touchdown reception in the victory.
With The Citadel (2-3, 1-1 SoCon) most assuredly planning to key on Wynn, who enters the game with 2,897 career rushing yards, the Paladins will look to utilize their other weapons in their arsenal, including All-America tight end
Ryan Miller (20 rec., 308 yds., 2 TDs) and wideouts
Ryan DeLuca (career 65 rec., 1,020 yds., 9 TDs) and
Joshua Harris (16 rec., 197 yds., TD).
The 42-point outburst against Wofford, which featured a 35-3 run, allowed the Paladins to overcome a pair of 10-point first half deficts and provide some breathing room for Furman's defense, which tops the SoCon in fewest yards allowed (334.0 ypg) despite enjoying limited support in the last two games.
The Paladin veteran defensive front, headlined by seniors
Landon Lawrence (48 games),
London Lewis,
Adrian Hope (35 games, 106 tackles, 32.0 TFL), and
Parker Stokes (46 games, 92 tackles), along with junior
Cameron Coleman, is sure to get a stern test from The Citadel's league leading running game (282.0 ypg).
The Paladins sported a pair of first-time starters in the secondary versus Wofford, including
Micah Robinson at cornerback and
Caden Richards at the SPUR position.
Furman and representative from the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame will combine to salute Paladin coaching great Dick Sheridan during Saturday's contest. A member of both Furman and South Carolina Athletic Halls of Fame, Sheridan is a member of the NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020 that will be officially inducted on Dec. 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sheridan came to Furman in 1973 assistant coach and was named head coach in 1978, which he followed by directing Furman to the first Southern Conference football championship in program history. In an eight-year head Paladin head coaching tenure, during which time he spearhead the construction of Paladin Stadium (1981), he led Furman to six league crowns and 1985 NCAA I-AA (FCS) national runner-up finish, finishing with a coaching record of 69-23-2.
Capping Saturday's contest will be a fireworks show, set to begin approximately 10 minutes following the conclusion of the game.
The Game: Furman Paladins (3-2, 1-1 SoCon) vs. The Citadel Bulldogs (2-3, 1-1 SoCon)
Game Sponsor: Bon Secours
Date: Saturday, October 16, 2021
Site: Greenville, S.C. (Paladin Stadium, on the campus of Furman University)
Kickoff: 6:05 PM ET
Video Stream: ESPN3 (Mark Childress, pbp),
Cole Neely (analyst)
Radio: Van Wagner/Furman Sports Network (ESPN Upstate: 97.7 FM/1330 AM, Greenville; 97.1 FM/950 AM, Spartanburg); Audacy.com; FurmanPaladins.com:
Dan Scott (pbp), David Cobb (analyst); Marcus McMorris (sideline); Tom Van Hoy (spotter/pre-game & halftime host)
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased at the Timmons Arena Box Office, located in the lobby of Timmons Arena, and at the East Stands Box Office of Paladin Stadium beginning at Noon. All single game credit card transactions are charged a 2.5 percent convenience fee online, over the phone, or at the box office. All ticket sales are final. No exchanges, no refunds.
Furman GameDay Schedule Of Events (vs. The Citadel)
2:00 PM — Parking Lots Open
3:00 PM — Furman Fan Zone Opens (Live Music Begins at Noon)
4:00 PM — Box Offices Open
4:30 PM — Furman Band & Spirit Perform (Ingles Concert Stage)
4:30 PM — Paladin Stadium Gates Open, Champions Walk Begins
5:30 PM — Furman Fan Zone Closes & Wicked Weed Endzone Experience Opens
6:05 PM — Kickoff
