GREENVILLE, S.C. – In a week that started with news that head coach
Clay Hendrix's Paladin coaching tenure would conclude at season's end, Furman will try to win a football game this Saturday when it plays host to Western Carolina in a 2:00 p.m. Southern Conference clash at Paladin Stadium.
The contest, which will highlight Military Appreciation Day at Furman, will be televised as the SoCon's Ingles Game of the Week over the Nexstar network and also streamed via ESPN+. In addition, it will be 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-driven StatBroadcast live stats, accessible via FurmanPaladins.com, and receive timely updates and highlight clips through the @FurmanPaladins "X" platform.
Families are invited to kick off Halloween at Paladin Trunk or Treat from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Ingles Fan Zone prior to Saturday's game.
This FREE family-friendly event will feature trick-or-treating, complimentary snacks and drinks, candy giveaways, and plenty of pregame fun for Paladin fans of all ages. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite Halloween costumes for a chance to win exciting prizes in the costume contest.
All kids are welcome and are asked to arrive early and celebrate Halloween with the Paladins before kickoff.
As for Saturday's contest the Paladins will aim to halt a five-game losing skid that was extended with a 13-6 home setback to Samford last Saturday. The defeat mirrored the preceding four, with the Paladins unable to cash in on their last possession for victory or to force overtime. Furman's combined scoring deficit in the five-game streak is just 26 points.
The Paladins have scored only 121 points through eight games (15.1 ppg) — the program's lowest output since 1974.
Adding fuel to Furman's frustration has been the performance of the Paladin defense, which has delivered play worthy of victory in all but one contest. In a schedule that to date has featured five ranked opponents, including Tennessee, Furman's defense has yielded just 16.2 ppg to its seven FCS foes.
The return of linebacker and team captain
Raleigh Herbert from injury, which sidelined him for three games, has bolstered the Paladins. In his first start since Furman's 20-13 triumph over Mercer in Macon in early September, the preseason first team All-SoCon performer registered a career high 16 tackles versus Samford.
If the obvious urgency to halt a losing skid is not enough, the Paladins will no doubt ponder their recent experience with Western Carolina, which has had its way with Furman in the last two meetings, including a 52-7 defeat last season in Cullowhee. Overall, though, the Paladins have held a decided advantage in the series, compiling a 36-15-2 worksheet and 7-3 mark against the Catamounts in the last 10 contests.
A notable bright spot for Furman on the national scene this year has been the work turned in by placekicker
Nathan Chapman, who has converted 16-of-19 field goals in his first season of action, including 9-of-11 from 40 yards and beyond. He leads the FCS in made field goals per game (2.00) and split the uprights on his two chances against Samford to extend his streak of made field goals to 12.
The Game: Western Carolina Catamounts (3-5, 1-3 SoCon) vs. Furman Paladins (2-6, 1-3 SoCon)
Promotion: Military Appreciation Day
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Site: Greenville, S.C. (Paladin Stadium, on the campus of Furman University)
Kickoff: 2:02 PM ET
TV/Video Stream: Nextar/ESPN+ (Pete Yanity, pbp), Mark Covert (analyst), Erin Summers (sideline)
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.
