GREENVILLE, S.C. – As Furman celebrates its 200th anniversary this year with a host of bicentennial Homecoming week activities, the Paladins will focus on winning Saturday's 2:00 p.m. Southern Conference football clash against Samford at Paladin Stadium.

Idle this past Saturday, Furman (2-5, 1-2 SoCon) is out to halt a three-game losing streak that included a 20-15 setback at new league foe Tennessee Tech on Oct. 12.  The narrow loss to the Golden Eagles followed a brutal pattern the Paladins have endured this season — one that includes single digit defeats at the hands of South Carolina State (20-17), Richmond (13-9), and Wofford (32-25).  In all four losses Furman possessed the ball in op-position territory in the closing minute of action but could find the end zone.

Samford (1-6, 1-3 SoCon) comes to Greenville riding its own three-game skid, having fallen to Mercer, 31-21, at home last Saturday.  The Bulldogs, under the direction of first-year head coach John Grass, boast a new coaching staff, among whom is former Paladin All-American safety Cally Chizik (2019-23), who racked up 140 tackles, nine interceptions, and 17 pass breakups in a tenure that saw him help lead Furman to back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2022 & '23, including a SoCon championship his senior year.

The Paladins hold a 15-12 edge in the series with the Bulldogs and have won five of the last six meetings, including a 31-13 triumph last year in Birmingham.  Two years ago Hurricane Helene big-footed (canceled) the game between the Paladins and Bulldogs, so Saturday's contest will mark the first Furman-Samford clash in Paladin Stadium since the 2022 clash — a 34-27 Samford win that Paladin fans will not soon forget.

To cast aside its skid Furman will have to find something more on offense than has been displayed so far this season.  Looking to deliver is junior quarterback Connor Ackerley, who will get his third start as a Paladin under new offensive coordinator Drew Dudzik, who likewise is set to call plays for the third time following his mid-season elevation to his cur-rent role.

Any Paladin offensive success is likely to require contributions from running back Ben Croasdale (305 yds., 3 TDs), as well as receivers Luke Shields (32 rec., 391 yds., 2 TDs), Daniel Haughton (30 rec., 310 yds, TD), and Ethan Harris (21 rec., 220 yds., TD).

For the most part Furman's defense, which ranks fifth in the FCS with 15 takeaways, has delivered steady play, and that's been primarily due to its veteran, rotation heavy defensive front, led by All-American end Joshua Stoneking (25 tack., 5.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks) and bandit Eli Lipscomb (28 tack., 6.5 TFL, 2 sacks).

The return of standout linebacker Raleigh Herbert against Tennessee Tech after missing three games due to injury was clearly a positive for the Paladin defense.  Paired alongside the productive Ryan Earl (41 tack., 2 TFL, 2 FR, INT), Herbert is hoping to again be a difference maker as he was a year ago with a 48-yard interception return for a touchdown in the win at Samford.

Cornerback Caleb Easterling (35 tack., 3 INTs) has been a standout in his first season as a starter, and behind him Furman has gotten good work from safeties A.K. Burrell (36 tack., 3 PBU, INT) and true freshman Braylon Peebles (42 tack., INT, 3 PBU), who this week was among 30 players named to the Jerry Rice Watch List for top freshmen in the FCS.

In a Southern Conference stocked with outstanding kickers, Furman boasts one of the best in the FCS in Nathan Chapman, who brings a streak of 10 successful made field goal attempts into Saturday's game.  The Paladin junior has drilled nine (of 11) field goal at-tempts — the most by any kicker in either FCS and FBS.

The Game: Samford Bulldogs (1-6, 1-3 SoCon) vs. Furman Paladins (2-5, 1-2 SoCon)
Promotion: Homecoming
Game Sponsor: Bon Secours
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
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: Furman's GameDay Ticket Office opens at Noon, two hours prior to kickoff, at three locations: Defenders Gate, Champions Gate, and East Stands (Visitors) Gate.  All ticket and parking ($20/vehicle) transactions are credit card only.  Fans are asked to have credit cards ready when entering Timmons Arena or Furman Chapel Lots. All major credit cards are accepted, along with Apple and Google pay. Stadium gates open at 12:30 p.m.
Ingles Fan Zone:  The Ingles Fan Zone will serve as the area for all fans to engage in an energetic and fun pre-game atmosphere.  Located adjacent to Paladin Stadium, the Fan Zone will open at 11:00 a.m., three hours prior to kickoff.  Admission is free.
Wicked Weed End Zone Experience: The Wicked Weed Endzone Experience returns to Paladin Stadium this season, giving fans a lively destination to enjoy on game day. Located at the videoboard end of the stadium, the Fan Zone and biergarten are free and open to all ticketed fans. The area features food trucks, beverages, games and more, providing fans another way to experience the excitement and atmosphere of Furman Football throughout the game.