Furman faces a tough assignment in Kennesaw, Ga., as it attempts to build momentum entering the Southern Conference schedule on Saturday.

Kennesaw State (1-1) takes on the Paladins at Fifth Third Stadium, beginning at 5 p.m. The game may be streamed on ESPN+.

The Owls are coming off a 27-20 setback to another Southern Conference member, Chattanooga. South Carolina defeated Furman, 47-21, last week.

Kennesaw State won its only previous meeting against Furman, 52-42, in 2016. This game was originally scheduled for 2019, when KSU asked out in order to play Kent State.

Kennesaw State is officially in transition this year from the FCS Atlantic Sun Conference to the FBS Conference USA, a process that allows the Owls to operate above the 63-scholarship limit of FCS. KSU will be the fourth FBS transition foe the Paladins have faced. In 2013, Furman defeated both Appalachian State (27-10) and Georgia Southern (16-14), who were both transitioning from the SoCon to the Sun Belt Conference.  In 2016 Coastal Carolina knocked off Furman, 41-21, in the Chanticleers’ FBS transition year on the way to the Sun Belt.

The Paladins, content to be in the SoCon, are ranked seventh and eighth in the two principal FCS national polls.

Furman, which is 13-2 in its last 15 games versus FCS opposition and sports a 6-1 slate in its last seven road contests in the sub-division, looks to field a balanced attack against Kennesaw State, led by quarterback Tyler Huff, running back Dominic Roberto, and wide receiver Joshua Harris.

Huff, coming off an impressive 2022 campaign that saw him pass for 2,199 yards (15 TDs) and rush for a Paladin quarterback record 694 yards (8 TDs), completed 14/25 passes and a touchdown against South Carolina after throwing for 172 yards and adding 42 yards on the ground against Tennessee Tech.

Roberto, who rushed for 1,120 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago en route to landing All-SoCon honors, has scored 20 touchdowns in the last 18 games.

Harris heads up a deep Paladin receiving corps with seven catches through two games. The junior caught 48 passes for 667 yards and five touchdowns in 2022.

Furman’s offensive front is paced by All-SoCon left tackle Pearson Toomey and center Wyatt Hughes.

The Paladins’ defense will look to bounce back this week behind tackle Matt Sochovka and defensive end Jack Barton.  Linebacker Braden Gilby, with 271 career tackles to his credit, appears poised to soon crack Furman’s Top 10 all-time tackles ledger.

Furman’s veteran secondary, boasting a combined 112 starts at the two cornerback and safety positions, will look to continue the Paladins defense’s run of takeaways, which stands at 36 (24 INTs, 12 FRs) over the last 15 games.  A year ago Furman paced the FCS with 29 takeaways (18 INTs, 11 FRs), and in the season opener versus Tennessee Tech amassed six turnovers in the 45-10 Furman win.

Particularly in the loss to Chattanooga, Kennesaw State emphasized the pass, at least in part because they were playing from behind.

Quarterback Jonathan Murphy has completed 24/34 passes (.706) for 400 yards and three touchdowns. He also leads the Owls in rushing with 122 yards in 51 carries. Murphy’s favorite receiver is Carson Kent, who has five receptions for 75 yards.

Murphy is yet to throw an interception. The KSU defense has picked off five.

The game will be aired over 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.

My photo albums can be accessed on Instagram at @furmanatt.

To support the coverage, write a check and mail it to DHK Sports, P.O. Box 768, Clinton, S.C.  29325, or become at patron at Patreon. It’s easy to pledge a monthly amount, whatever you can spare. It’s also easy to discontinue if you change your mind.

It has been brought to my attention that some people are willing to help the site prosper but never get around to mailing a check. One was undoubtedly the person who told me this. Here’s a link.

Please support our advertisers and share the site with others who might be interested.

I also appreciate you taking a look at the books I’ve written at MonteDutton.net. You can learn about them and buy them there.