2023 FCS Playoff Bracket (PDF)

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Coming off a bye week by virtue of its No. 7 seed in the 24-team NCAA Division I FCS playoff field, 2023 Southern Conference Champion Furman will tee it up this Saturday against SoCon rival Chattanooga in a 1:00 p.m. second round playoff clash at Paladin Stadium.

The Paladins (9-2, 7-1 SoCon/1st) defeated the Mocs (8-4, 6-2 SoCon/T2nd), 17-14, in Chattanooga on Nov. 4 to secure the league championship and automatic bid to the playoffs.

An at-large invitee to to the playoffs, Chattanooga advanced to the second round of the playoffs by knocking off United Athletic Conference champion Austin Peay, 24-21, on Saturday in a first round contest in Clarksville, Tenn.

The winner of Saturday's Furman-Chattanooga game will face the winner of the Montana-Delaware game in the playoff quarterfinals.

FURMAN TO MAKE 20TH FCS PLAYOFF APPEARANCE

No. 7 seed Furman will be making its 20th FCS (formerly I-AA) playoff appearance this year — tops among current Southern Conference schools — and fourth under head coach Clay Hendrix (2017, '19, '22, '23).

FURMAN PLAYOFF RECORD

Furman owns a 20-18 all-time FCS playoff record and has appeared in three national championship games (1985, '88, '01).  The Paladins won the 1988 national championship (13-2) — the first Southern Conference school and first private school to accomplish the feat.

PLAYOFF GAMES IN PALADIN STADIUM

Furman is 12-7 in FCS playoff games in Paladin Stadium.  Saturday's clash with Chattanooga will mark the Paladins' second home playoff game in as many seasons.  Last year's 31-6 first round triumph over CAA member Elon halted a streak of seven straight road playoff games for the Paladins dating back to 2005.

CLAY HENDRIX: PLAYOFF VETERAN

Head coach Clay Hendrix has been part of 35 of Furman's 38 FCS playoff games over the years as a player (1982-85), assistant coach (1988-06), and head coach (2017-present).  The Paladins are 19-16 in playoff matchups with him representing the purple and white.

CHATTANOOGA: ROUND TWO

Furman's FCS second round playoff clash with Chattanooga will mark a second clash of the season between the Paladins and Mocs, who finished 1-2, respectively, in the Southern Conference standings.  Furman claimed a 17-14 road win at Chattanooga on Nov. 4 to earn the league's playoff automatic berth and, at the time, at least a share of the regular season championship (became outright title the next week with a 37-3 win over VMI).  Furman's win was made possible by a go-ahead, eight-yard touchdown pass from redshirt freshman quarterback Carson Jones to Wayne Anderson, Jr., with 1:44 remaining.  Jones, who came on in relief of injured starting quarterback Tyler Huff,  completed 14-of-27 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns.  Furman's defense played a big role in the victory by recording five sacks.  Anderson, who scored the game winning touchdown, also set up a first half field goal with a blocked punt.

FURMAN-CHATTANOOGA SERIES

Furman and Chattanooga have met 53 times in football, with the Paladins holding a 32-21 lead in the series.  Furman is 14-12 versus Chattanooga in Greenville and 18-9 in games played in Chattanooga.  Furman sports a 13-8 record versus the Chattanooga in Paladin Stadium, having claimed a 24-20 win in the facility in the last meeting, on Oct. 29, 2022.

SEVENTH SOCON DOUBLE DIP FOR FURMAN

Furman's clash against Chattanooga will mark the seventh time the Paladins have faced a SoCon foe in the playoffs following a regular season battle.  Furman is 2-4 in the second meetings, the last five of which were road contests.

Year    Opponent    Regular Season/Playoff    Site    Result    Score
1983    Western Carolina    Regular Season /    Cullowhee, N.C.    T    17-17
    Western Carolina    Semifinals    Greenville    L    7-14
1988    Marshall    Regular Season /    Huntington, W.Va.    L    10-24
    Marshall    Quarterfinals    Huntington, W.Va.    W    13-9
1996    Marshall    Regular Season /    Huntington, W.Va.    L    17-42
    Marshall    Quarterfinals    Huntington, W.Va.    L    0-54
2001    Georgia Southern    Regular Season /    Statesboro, N.C.    L    10-24
    Georgia Southern    Semifinals    Statesboro, N.C.    W    24-17
2005    Appalachian State    Regular Season /    Greenville, S.C.    W    34-31
    Appalachian State    Semifinals    Boone, N.C.    L    23-29
2017    Wofford    Regular Season /    Spartanburg, S.C.    L    23-24
    Wofford    Second Round    Spartanburg, S.C.    L    10-28

...PLUS ONE

In 2017 Furman played Elon twice, though by that season, Clay Hendrix's first as the Paladins' head coach, the Phoenix had departed the SoCon.  Elon claimed a 34-31 win in Greenville during the regular season, but Furman turned the tables in the playoffs at Elon, edging the Phoenix, 28-27, in first round action. 

15TH CHAMPIONSHIP

Furman's 37-3 win over VMI on Nov. 11 earned the program the outright 2023 Southern Conference Championship — its 15th title (1978, '80, '81, '82, '83, '85, '88, '89, '90, '99, '01, '04, '13, '18, and '23) and the most in league history. It also marked the second crown for Clay Hendrix (2018), now in his seventh season as head coach at his alma mater.  As a player (1982-85), assistant coach (1988-06), and head coach (2017-present), Hendrix has been part of 11 of Furman's 15 SoCon championships.

HENDRIX WINS NO. 50

Furman's win over VMI marked the 50th career victory for head coach Clay Hendrix (50-28, .641).  Combining the 50 wins with the 155 he had a hand in as Paladin assistant coach for 19 years (1988-06) and 39 registered during his playing tenure (1982-85), Hendrix been part of 244 Furman triumphs over 30 years (8.1 wins/year).

OURS

Furman's outright 2023 SoCon championship is its first 1990 (6-1 league record).  The Paladins' conference titles in the interim — 1999, '01, '04, '13, and '18 — were all shared.  Eight of Furman's 15 SoCon championships have been outright crowns (1980, '81, '82, '83, '95, '89, '90, '23).

ON A ROLL AT HOME

Furman currently sports an nine-game home winning streak — its longest since the Paladins reeled off 14 straight victories over three seasons (2005-07).

.808 WINNING PERCENTAGE

Furman is 21-5 in its last 26 games, with two of those losses coming to FBS then fifth-ranked Clemson (35-12) in 2022 and South Carolina (47-21) in 2023.

3-0 VERSUS RANKED FCS FOES

Furman has gone 3-0 versus ranked opponents this season: d. No. 17 Mercer, 38-14; d. No. 8 Western Carolina, 29-17; d. No. 13 Chattanooga, 17-14).  The Paladins are 9-2 versus FCS ranked foes over the last two-plus seasons (2021-present), it last loss against a ranked foe being a 41-38 road setback against fifth-ranked Incarnate Word in 2022 second round playoff action.

TOUGH DEFENSE

Furman's defense has been a major reason for the Paladins' success in 2023, as reflected in numbers and SoCon/FCS rankings in multiple categories

Category    Value    SoCon Rank    FCS Rank
Rushing Defense    90.5    1st    3rd
Total Defense    322.9    1st    25th
Scoring Defense    17.7    1st    11th
Sacks    36    1st    3rd
Tackles For Loss    7.2    1st    14th
Third Down Percentage Defense    .322 (49x152)    1st    9th
Fourth Down Percentage Defense    .385 (10x26)    1st    14th
Red Zone Percentage Defense    .667 (14x21)    1st    4th
Interceptions    15    1st    5th
Turnovers Gained (FR/INT)    24 (9/25)    1st    3rd
Turnover Margin (Gained/Lost)    +1.45 (+24/-8)    1st    1st

SACK 'EM UP

Furman's pass rush continued its torrid second half season work by recording three sacks against Wofford to give the Paladins 30 takedowns over the last six games.

Furman Sacks Last 6 Games
Samford - 9 (27-21 win)
Western Carolina - 3 (29-17 win)
East Tennessee State - 2 (16-8 win)
Chattanooga - 5 (17-14 win)
VMI - 8 (37-3 win)
Wofford -3 (19-13 loss)

MOST SACKS IN A REGULAR SEASON

Furman's 36 sacks in the regular season are the most in progam history.  In 1989 Furman recorded a school record 39 sacks over 14 games, with the final eight takedowns registered over three playoff contests.  In 2017 Furman finished the season with 34 sacks in 13 contests, with the final three takedowns coming in two playoff games.

Furman Season Team Sacks
1989 - 39 (14g)
2023 - 36 (11g)
2017 - 34 (13g)
1997 - 32 (11g)
1988 - 31 (15g)
2022 - 31 (13g)

TWO OF TOP THREE SACK PERFORMANCES IN THE FCS IN 2023

Furman owns two of the two of the top three sacks performances registered in the FCS in 2023. The Paladins' nine sacks recorded in the 27-21 win over Samford ranks second, and the eight sacks Furman notched in the 37-3 victory over VMI is the third highest tally in the FCS this fall.  The two games also tied for No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, on Furman's highest game sacks chart.

SPREADING THE WEALTH

Furman's 36 sacks this year have been registered among 14 players, with six Paladins owning at least three takedowns.  The leader is redshirt junior bandit Luke Clark (6.0 sacks).

BEST SCORING DEFENSE SINCE 2004

The current 17.7 ppg Furman is surrendering is the lowest by the Paladins since 2004 (16.6 ppg).

TURNING OFF THE SPIGOT

Furman has choked off scoring by six of its last eight opponents (7-1), allowing only 110 points (13.8 ppg) over that span as evidenced by points allowed versus averages entering each contest.

Furman Opponent Scoring Last 8 Games (Points Allowed vs. Avg. Entering Game)
Mercer (14 vs. 24.0 ppg)
The Citadel (14 vs. 5.6 ppg)
Samford (21 vs. 31.0 ppg.)
Western Carolina (17 vs. 41.3 ppg)
East Tennessee State (8 vs. 17.1 ppg)
Chattanooga (14 vs. 33.6 ppg)
VMI (3 vs. 15.2 ppg)
Wofford (19* vs. 13.3 ppg)

*Six of Wofford's 19 points were scored on fumble return vs. Furman's offense

TOUGH SLEDDING FOR FOES

Mirroring its impressive work in limiting scoring by its last eight opponents (7-1) is the stingy offense the Paladins have surrendered to opponents in seven of the eight contests when compared to averages entering each game.  Furman has allowed only 274.4 total ypg over that span.

Furman Opponent Total Offense Last 8 Games (Yards Allowed vs. Avg. Entering Game)
Mercer (267 vs. 323.7 ypg)
The Citadel (278 vs. 199 ypg)
Samford (337 vs. 436.0 ypg)
Western Carolina (353 vs. 531.0 ypg)
East Tennessee State (230 vs. 262.0 ypg)
Chattanooga (357 vs. 420.7 ypg)
VMI (189 vs. 305.2 ypg)
Wofford (184 vs. 254.8 ypg)

MORE ON VMI'S 189 YARDS IN OFFENSE

VMI may have finished with 189 yards in total offense, but 123 of that total came in fourth quarter against reserves after Furman took a 37-0 lead into the frame. Furman's defense held VMI to minus 2 yards in the first quarter and only two first downs and eight total yards in the first half.

SHADES OF 1988

The 90.5 rushing yards per game Furman is currently surrendering is the lowest season figure ever recorded by the Paladins, based on available records dating from 1973.  The record is 92.4 ypg posted in 1988, the year of the Paladins' national championship.

NO RUNNING ALLOWED

Furman has held six of its last seven opponents under 100 yards rushing, allowing only 65.1 rushing ypg over that span (2.19 ypc).

Furman Opponent Rushing Offense Last 7 Games (Yards Allowed vs. Avg. Entering Game)
The Citadel (39 vs. 128.4 ypg) 
Samford (51 vs. 130.2 ypg)
Western Carolina (84 vs. 222.0 ypg)
East Tennessee State (119 vs. 157.3 ypg)  
Chattanooga (68 vs. 148.4 ypg)
VMI (30 vs. 121.2 ypg)
Wofford (92 vs. 158.5 ypg)

IT'S A RARE THING

Furman has allowed only one rushing touchdown since the 11:23 mark of the fourth quarter in the Paladins' 27-21 road win over Samford on Oct. 14 — six games ago. The Paladins have yielded only nine rushing touchdowns in 11 games this year.

OPPONENT THIRD DOWN BLUES

Furman's defense has limited its last four opponents — East Tennessee State, Chattanooga, VMI, and Wofford — to a combined 11-of-56 on third down conversions (.196). 

KEEP OUT

Not only does Furman lead the SoCon and rank fourth in the FCS in red zone percentage defense (14x21, .667), but the 21 red zone penetrations allowed by Furman are the fewest surrendered by any team in the FCS this season.

THIS TAKEAWAY THING SPANS TWO SEASONS 

Furman now have 53 takeaways (32 INTs, 21 FRs) over the last 24 games, which includes a FCS best 29 takeaways (17 INTs, 12 FRs) last year.

MAKING 'EM PAY

In its 11 games this year the Paladins have tallied 80 points (7.3 ppg) on possessions following 24 opponent turnovers.

19 PALADINS REAP ALL-SOCON RECOGNITION

Furman's 2023 SoCon championship netted the Paladins an impressive haul of All-SoCon awards and honors.  Quarterback Tyler Huff was named the league' offensive player of the year, offensive guard Jacob Johanning received the Jacobs Blocking Award, quarterback Carson Jones was tabbed co-freshman of the year, and Clay Hendrix was the consensus coach of the year selection in balloting by coaches and media.  All told, 19 Paladins landed All-SoCon recognition — a program record.

2023 Coaches All-Southern Conference Football Team 

Offensive Player of the Year – Tyler Huff, Gr., QB, Furman
Co-Freshman of the Year – Carson Jones, Furman 
Jacobs Blocking Award – Jacob Johanning, R-Sr., OL, Furman
Coach of the Year – Clay Hendrix, Furman

Coaches First Team Offense 
QB    Tyler Huff, Gr., Furman
OL    Jacob Johanning, R-Sr., Furman
OL    Pearson Toomey, R-Sr., Furman

Coaches First Team Defense
DL    Matt Sochovka, Gr., Furman
DB    Travis Blackshear, Gr., Furman

Coaches Second Team Offense  
RB    Dominic Roberto, Gr., Furman
OL    Wyatt Hughes, R-Sr., Furman

Coaches Second Team Defense 
DL    Jack Barton, Sr., Furman
DL    Luke Clark, Jr., Furman
LB    Braden Gilby, Gr., Furman
DB    Cally Chizik, Sr., Furman
DB    Hugh Ryan, Sr., Furman

Coaches Second Team Special Teams 
PK    Ian Williams, Jr., Furman
RS    Wayne Anderson Jr., Gr., Furman

Coaches All-Freshman Offense 
Brock Chappell, Furman
Colton Hinton, Furman    
Carson Jones, Furman

Coaches All-Freshman Defense  
AK Burrell, Furman

2023 SCSMA All-Southern Conference Football Team 

Wallace Wade Coach of the Year – Clay Hendrix, Furman

SCSMA First Team Offense
OL    Jacob Johanning, Sr., Furman
OL    Pearson Toomey, Sr., Furman

SCSMA First Team Defense
DL    Luke Clark, Jr., Furman

SCSMA Second Team Offense 
QB    Tyler Huff, Gr., Furman 
RB    Dominic Roberto, Gr., Furman
OL    Wyatt Hughes, Sr., Furman 
TE    Mason Pline, Gr., Furman

SCSMA Second Team Defense
DL    Matt Sochovka, Gr., Furman
LB    Braden Gilby, Gr., Furman
DB    Travis Blackshear, Gr., Furman
DB    Cally Chizik, Sr., Furman
DB    Hugh Ryan, Sr., Furman

SCSMA Second Team Special Teams 
PK    Ian Williams, Jr., Furman
RS    Wayne Anderson Jr., Gr., Furman

FURMAN ALL-SOCON NOTES

Quarterback Tyler Huff became the eighth Paladin but first since 2001 to land SoCon Offensive Player of the Year accolades and first Paladin signal caller to earn first team honors since Chris Forcier in 2011.  Jacob Johanning is the 16th player in program history — a league all-time best — to honored with the SoCon Jacobs Blocking Award, and Carson Jones became the fourth Paladin to be named SoCon Freshman of the Year.  Clay Hendrix's SoCon Coach of the Year tab was the second in his now seven seasons as head coach at his alma mater and 10th by Furman mentors.

BLOCKED KICKS

Furman has blocked kicks in three of its last four games (ETSU, Chattanooga, and VMI) and has four on the season (2 FGs, 2 Punts), ranking 10th in the FCS.  The four blocked kicks in 2023 follow the FCS leading 10 blocked kicks (6 FGs, 2 PATs, 2 Punts) the Paladins posted in 2022, which included blocks in six consecutive games.  Jack Barton registered Furman's first blocked kick of 2023 when he deflected a 38-yard field goal attempt in the 38-14 win over Mercer on Sept. 23.  Barton picked up his second block this season when batted down a 43-yard attempt in the Paladins' 16-8 win over East Tennessee State.  He holds both Furman's season (4) and career record records (6) for blocked kicks.

JONES IMPRESSIVE STARTING DEBUT

Redshirt freshman quarterback Carson Jones followed up his outstanding play in the Paladins' 17-14 win over Chattanooga on Nov. 4 with an even more impressive performance in his first collegiate start against VMI on Nov. 11, leading Furman to the 37-3 triumph.  Against the Keydets he connected on 18-of-23 passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns — virtually all of it coming in the first half while helping the Paladins to a 34-0 lead.  His touchdown strikes covered 14, 34, 12, and 34 yards.  He didn't play the fourth quarter.

JONES DELIVERS VERSUS CHATTANOOGA

Redshirt freshman quarterback Carson Jones delivered one of the most impactful performances of the 2023 season against Chattanooga, coming off the bench in the second quarter for the injured Tyler Huff to complete 14-of-27 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns in the Paladins' 17-14 win over 13th-ranked Mocs.  His connection with Wayne Anderson, Jr., on a nine-yard scoring strike with 1:44 left gave Furman its winning points and capped a nine-play, 50-yard drive that featured a pair of Jones third down conversion passes.  The victory over UTC earned the Paladins the SoCon championship and the league's automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.  He was named SoCon Offensive Player of the Week.

MR. VERSATILE: WAYNE ANDERSON, JR.

Wayne Anderson Jr., blocked a first half punt to set up a field goal and later scored the game winning TD on a nine-yard pass play with 1:44 to go in Furman's 17-14 SoCon title clinching road win over Chattanooga.  Named SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week for his work against the Mocs, he followed up his performance against UTC by rushing 14 times for 56 yards in the win over VMI.  His effectiveness was evident in the Paladins' 29-17 road win over No. 8 Western Carolina, when he rushed eight times for 85 yards, including a 54-yard burst to set up a touchdown.  Anderson, who made the switch from wide receiver to running back earlier this year after injuries took out key backups Grant Robinson and Jayquan Smith, caught 39 passes for 396 yards and two touchdowns in 2022 as a wide receiver. His first three seasons he played running back.  He has rushed for 863 yards and eight touchdowns in his career.  A two-time All-SoCon pick as a return specialist, he also owns a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Western Carolina (2022).

HE LIKES TO SEE THAT WESTERN CAROLINA PURPLE

Furman two-time All-SoCon running back Dominic Roberto extended his domination of Western Carolina with a career-high 31 carry, 154-yard performance that included a nine-yard scoring run in the Paladins' 29-17 win over the Catamounts.  In four games versus WCU (3-1), Roberto has rushed 91 times for 656 yards (7.2 ypc) and eight touchdowns.

100-YARD GAMES

Dominic Roberto's 154-yard rushing performance versus Western Carolina represented the ninth 100-yard outing of his career.  He ran for 128 yards and a touchdown in the Paladins' 27-21 road triumph over Samford.

ROBERTO ON THE CHARTS

Dominic Roberto has rushed for 2,818 yards in his career, good for eighth on Furman's career rushing ledger.  Next up in seventh place is former teammate Devin Wynn (2,960 yds., 2017-21).

Dominic Roberto's 28 career rushing touchdowns are just one shy of the 10th most (29) in Furman history, currently shared by Mike Glenn (1978-80) and Jerodis Williams (2009-12).

PLINE A FACTOR

Furman graduate All-SoCon tight end Mason Pline, all 6-foot-7, 260 pounds of him, has become a force for the Paladins over the second half of the season.  He has 22 catches for 213 yards and three touchdowns, his latest a 14-yard scoring grab that started the scoring in a 37-3 win over VMI.  His key third down grab earned Furman a critical first down on the Paladins' nine-play, 50-yard game winning touchdown drive in a 17-14 road win over Chattanooga, and he got Furman's scoring started with a 10-yard touchdown catch in a 29-17 raod victory over Western Carolina.  He played three years of basketball at Ferris State (Mich.) before switching to football, where he was a member of two D2 national championship teams.

HINTON FASHIONS STRONG FRESHMAN CAMPAIGN

True freshman wide receiver Colton Hinton, named by the coaches to the SoCon All-Freshman Team, led Furman with four receptions for 61 yards and a 27-yard touchdown in the win over Chattanooga. He has 29 catches for 315 yards and two touchdowns thru 11 games.

HARRIS ON THE CHARTS

Junior wide receiver Joshua Harris is tied for 12th on Furman's career receptions chart with 113 catches.  Next up in 11th place is Justin Stepp (118 rec., 2003-06).

MANY HANDS

Furman's 209 pass completions this year have been distributed among 18 players, and nine Paladins own touchdown catches.  Quarterback Carson Jones' four touchdowns strikes in the 37-3 win over VMi went to four different players.

HUFF CAPTURES ARMED FORCES MERIT AWARD

Furman quarterback Tyler Huff was named the recipient of the 2023 Armed Forces Merit Award, presented by the Football Writers Association of America, on Thursday, Nov. 9.  A 2022 graduate of Presbyterian (S.C.) College, where he was commissioned through ROTC as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves, Huff was selected from among a field of 46 nominees for the prestigious award. He will also  be recognized at the 2023 Lockheed Martin-Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 23. 

TYLER HUFF: WINNER

Furman has gone 18-3 in Tyler Huff's 21 starts at quarterback, 17-1 versus FCS foes (counting FBS transition Kennesaw State as FCS), and 13-0 against SoCon opposition.  He didn't play (injured) versus Samford in 2022 (34-27 loss) and was forced to exit games against Charleston Southern (24-19 win in 2022) and Chattanooga (17-14 win in 2022) due to injuries.  He did not dress versus VMI or Wofford.

BIG GAME PERFORMANCE

Tyler Huff keyed Furman's road win over FCS No. 8-ranked Western Carolina by running six times for 89 yards and a touchdown and connecting on 14-of-23 passes for 180 yards and two scores.  His 53-yard touchdown burst with a minute remaining sealed the win.

FOUR RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS

Tyler Huff's four rushing touchdowns in Furman's 31-28 road win over Kennesaw State on Sept. 16 tied the school single game record for rushing TDs by a Paladin quarterback (Frankie DeBusk vs. ETSU, 1989) and earned him his first of two SoCon Player of the Week honors this season.

INTO THE RECORD BOOKS IN 2022

Tyler Huff rushed for a Furman quarterback season record 694 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022, headlined by a career high 132-yard performance in a 24-20 win over then FCS seventh-ranked Chattanooga in Paladin Stadium.

GOING WHERE NO PLAYER HAS GONE BEFORE

All-SoCon inside linebacker Braden Gilby made the 58th game appearance and 43rd start of his career against VMI.  The 58 games played is a Furman record.  He is the owner of 337 tackles, which ranks 17th in program history.  Next up in 16th is Rock Hurst (338, 1981-84)

BLACKSHEAR RETURNS IN STYLE

After missing the East Tennessee State game following minor hand surgery, three-time All-SoCon cornerback Travis Blackshear returned to the field against Chattanooga, recording a pair of tackles, a pass breakup, and an interception he returned out of the end zone for 46 yards to set up a fourth quarter Furman touchdown.  The pickoff was his third of the season and 12th of his career (three "pick-sixes), tying him for eighth on school's career ledger.

THIS GUY MAKES PLAYS

All-SoCon spur Cally Chizik recorded his team leading fifth interception of the season and eighth of his career in against Wofford.  He registered a career high 13 tackles in the Paladins' 27-21 road win over Samford.

HE'S OUR JACK RYAN

Two-time All-SoCon free safety Hugh Ryan registered his 55th game appearance and 43rd start of his career against Wofford.  Has had nine interceptions and 248 tackles in his career.

LATE SEASON SURGE BY WILLIAMS

All-SoCon placekicker Ian Williams fashioned a strong second half to this season by converting 10 of his last 11 field goal attempts to finish the regular season 14-for-20, with a career long 52-yarder (the fifth longest in program history) coming in a 16-8 win over East Tennessee State.  In addition, he continued his impressive kickoff work, depositing 45 of 62 kicks into the end zone for touchbacks).