GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Coming off a solid 24-14 win over arch-rival The Citadel, Furman faces its biggest challenge of the season this Saturday when it plays host to Southern Conference front runner and FCS 13th-ranked Mercer in a 2:00 p.m. league showdown at Paladin Stadium.
Furman (5-3, 3-2 SoCon) holds a 12-9-2 lead in its series with Mercer (6-1, 5-0 SoCon) and has won two of the last three meetings, though the Bears captured last year's contest, 49-23, in Macon.
Mercer will bring a six-game winning streak to Greenville, its latest conquest being a 62-0 pasting of VMI in Macon last Saturday. The Bears also own league triumphs over Wofford (22-21), The Citadel (38-0), ETSU (38-34), Samford (45-21).
In finding the win column against The Citadel on Saturday, Furman rediscovered the critical quality of ball security, suffering no turnovers after sprinkling the field with eight miscues in losses to Western Carolina and Wofford. Combined with a solid defensive effort, a more robust ground attack, and highly effective special teams play against the Bulldogs, head coach
Clay Hendrix's squad knows it will need a similar effort to have a chance at victory versus Mercer.
The Paladins received a significant boost with the return of true freshman wide receiver
Evan James last Saturday after missing three games due to injury. James, recently named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List of the FCS's top freshmen, had eight catches for 126 yards against The Citadel and has 40 catches for 505 yards, and two scores in five games this year.
Furman produced its most effective ground game of the season against The Citadel behind
Ben Croasdale and
Jayquan Smith, who combined for 136 yards and two touchdowns.
In Mercer the Paladins will face a potent offense coming off a SoCon record 829-yard parade against VMI. Since turning over its offense to freshman quarterback Braden Atkinson, like
Evan James a Jerry Rice Award Watch List selection, the Bears have flourished. Last Saturday he torched the Keydets for 533 yards and five touchdowns.
Atkinson has a quality receiving corps to engage, led by Brayden Smith (41 rec., 6 TDs) and Adjatay Dabbs (27 rec., 4 TDs), and is supported by a quality rushing attack fronted by CJ Miller (521 yds., 6 TDs).
Looking to contain Mercer's offense will be Furman defensive end
Joshua Stoneking, the FCS leader in tackles for loss (18.0) and sacks (12.5) who has been named SoCon Defensive Player of the Week three times this year.
Mercer's defense also boasts solid credentials, including a SoCon leading 29 sacks shared by 14 players. The leader is Andrew Zock (13.5 TFL, 8.5 sacks).
In a league of quality specialists, the Paladins and Bears have two of the best. Furman's
Ian Williams, who last week collected the sixth league player of the week scroll of his career, is a stellar three-way performer, evidenced by his 11-of-14 field goal work, 43.8 punting average, and 80 percent kickoff touchback success rate (32x40) — a mark 30 percent higher than his closest competitor. Mercer's Reice Griffith has connected on 10-of-13 field goals this fall.
Saturday's game will be live streamed via ESPN+ and aired over Furman flagship The Fan Upstate and its four powerhouse stations: 97.7 FM/1330 AM in Greenville, and 97.1 FM/950 AM in Spartanburg. Broadcasts can be secured via Audacy.com, as well as through FurmanPaladins.com.
Fans can also follow the action through Furman-powered StatBroadcast live stats, accessible via FurmanPaladins.com, and receive timely updates through the @FurmanPaladins "X" platform.
The Game: Mercer Bears (6-1, 5-0 SoCon) vs. Furman Paladins (5-3, 3-2 SoCon)
Game Sponsor: Bud Light
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Site: Greenville, S.C. (Paladin Stadium, on the campus of Furman University)
Kickoff: 2:02 PM ET
TV/Video Stream: ESPN+ (Brock Bowling, pbp), Cole Neely (analyst)
Radio: Van Wagner/Furman Sports Network (The Fan Upstate: 97.7 FM/1330 AM, Greenville; 97.1 FM/950 AM, Spartanburg); Audacy.com; FurmanPaladins.com:
Dan Scott (pbp), David Cobb (analyst); Tom Van Hoy (spotter/pre-game & halftime host)
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online 24/7 at www.furmanpaladins.com, the Paladin Stadium Box Office, located at the Defenders Gate, and at the East Stands Box Office of Paladin Stadium beginning at Noon. All tickets are mobile and fans should have their cell number ready when purchasing at the stadium. Tickets will be texted to walk-up buyers. Most major credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted. All ticket sales are final. No exchanges. No refunds.
