GREENVILLE, S.C. — Furman kicks off its 2026 season this Thursday when it plays host to Anderson in a 7:00 p.m. contest at Paladin Stadium.
The game, billed as "Furman Ignites" and sponsored by Ingles Markets, opens the 121
st football season at Furman and the 46
th campaign in Paladin Stadium, which sports new lights. Fans, who are encouraged to wear purple, will be treated to a light show between the third and fourth quarters.
The contest, only the second Thursday game in Paladin Stadium history, pits Commerce, Ga., natives and former high school and Furman teammates
Clay Hendrix '86 and
Bobby Lamb '86 against each other for the fourth time as head coaches but first since Lamb was tabbed in 2023 to lead Anderson's new football program. Including their collegiate playing and coaching careers, Hendrix and Lamb have had a hand in 177 of the 194 wins posted by Furman in Paladin Stadium.
Furman, which returns 10 starters off last year's 6-6 squad, will count on one of the nation's best defenders, consensus All-America defensive end
Joshua Stoneking, to lead the way. A year ago he racked up 79 tackles and led the nation in sacks (14.5) and tackles for loss (23).
Stoneking, who last month was named Preseason SoCon Defensive Player of the Year, headlines an experienced and deep defensive front that also includes a pair of tackles,
Demetrius Baldwin (30 tackles) and
Eli Lipscomb, a transfer from Wingate who joined him on the preseason all-league team.
Linebacker
Raleigh Herbert, coming off a 72-tackle season a year ago and recently elected a team co-captain, joined Stoneking on the preseason all-conference team.
Furman's hopes for improvement in the secondary this year start with veteran safeties
AK Burrell (58 tackles, INT) and
Billy Lewis (71 tackles, 2 INT).
Offensively the Paladins sport a blend of experienced performers and newcomers, beginning at quarterback with graduate transfer
Jake Garcia, who spent last year at Michigan following a season at East Carolina, where he threw for 1,426 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024.
An improved ground attack would be the ultimate assist to Furman's offense, and hoping to deliver will be center
Chris Luna, a preseason all-conference center with 19 starts in his career, and veteran tackle
Eli Brasher (18 starts). The addition of graduate transfers
Alofaletauia Maluia and
Parker Peterson at guard and tackle, respectively, and their ability to deliver may hold the key.
Running back appears to be in solid shape with the return of
Ben Croasdale (320 yds., 5.2 ypc, 2 TDs) and
CJ Nettles (358 yds., 2 TDs), and the addition of Charlotte transfer
C.J. Stokes, a Columbia, S.C., product who spent two years at Michigan, where he was a member of the Wolverines' 2023 national championship team.
The return of tight end
Jackson Pryor (16 rec., 239 yds., 2 TDs in '24), who missed virtually the entire 2025 campaign with an ankle injury, and wide receiver
Ethan Harris (41 rec., 495 yds., TD in his career), who was injured and played in only four games last year, looms large in a receiving corps that features a number of new faces.
The Game: Anderson Trojans (0-0) vs. Furman Paladins (0-0)
Game Sponsor: Ingles
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Site: Greenville, S.C. (Paladin Stadium, on the campus of Furman University)
Kickoff: 7:02 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 5:00 p.m., two hours prior to kickoff, at three locations: Timmons Arena, Champions Walk 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.
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 4:00 p.m., three hours prior to kickoff, and feature the live music of "Commodore Fox." 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.
