GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Hamp Sisson passed for 362 yards and three touchdowns to lead Furman past FCS 24th-ranked North Carolina A&T, 29-18, in the 2021 fall season opener for both teams at Paladin Stadium in Greenville, S.C.

Sisson, a junior from Birmingham, Ala., connected on 25 of 40 passes, including scoring strikes of 17, 41, and 87 yards, in helping Furman claim its first win over a ranked opponent at home since beating sixth-ranked Wofford, 34-14, in 2018.

The game was the first meeting between the Paladins (1-0) and Aggies (0-1), who played their first game as a new member of the Big South Conference.

Sisson's 362 passing yards marked a career high and the second highest tally ever by a Furman quarterback.

His 41-yard strike to freshman wide receiver Joshua Harris early in the third quarter gave the Paladins a 16-3 lead.

After a fumble recovery by Paladin linebacker Braden Gilby at the goal line dashed an Aggie scoring threat on the ensuing possession, Sisson found tight end Ryan Miller open over the middle for a completion.  The 6-foot-2, 221-pound All-American converted the catch into a foot race against the Aggie secondary, which he won, reaching the end zone to complete the 87-yard scoring play, tying the mark for the fourth longest pass play in Furman history.

North Carolina A&T battled back, sandwiching a 47-yard field goal by Furman's Timmy Bleekrode with a pair of touchdown passes by quarterback Jalen Fowler to Ron Hunt covering 16 and 74 yards, to get within 26-18 after Fowler converted a two-point conversion pass to Korey Banks less than two minutes into the fourth quarter.

The Aggies appeared poised to draw even after a pair of Furman turnovers in successive possessions gave N.C. A&T the ball at the Paladin 14 and 39, but N.C. A&T failed to convert the opportunities, missing a pair of field goals, with second following a low snap that allowed Furman's Dae'one Wilkins to block the kick and give the Paladins the ball at their 30-yard line.

From that point Furman covered 61 yards in nine plays to get a 26-yard Bleekrode field goal — his third of the game — to close out the contest.

Nine players combined for the Paladins' 25 receptions, led by tailback Devin Wynn, who combined five catches for 55 yards with his game high 75 rushing yards on 18 carries.

Miller had four catches for 124 yards.  His 87-yard scoring grab was his seventh in the last eight games.

Furman finished with 487 yards in total offense, and N.C. A&T registered 339.

The Aggies' All-America running back Jah-Maine Martin was held in check, managing just 33 yards on 12 carries. N.C. A&T finished with 71 rushing yards on 31 attempts.

Hunt accounted for five catches and 146 of the Aggies' 268 yards through the air, to go with his two scores.

Furman plays at Tennessee Tech next Saturday.