HOMEWOOD, Ala. — Led by Dominic Robert’s power and Tyler Huff’s versatility, Furman seized its 10th straight Southern Conference victory and atoned for its most recent defeat with a 27-21 victory over Samford on Saturday.

The way the SoCon has shaped up, the Paladins face their three toughest tests – Samford, Western Carolina next week and Chattanooga on Nov. 4 – away from the friendly confines of Paladin Stadium.

In terms of FCS football, this schedule ranks up there in trilogies with John Ford’s cavalry movies and triumvirates with the statesmen Daniel Webster, Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun.

So far, so good.

Michael Hiers, the splendid Samford quarterback, did all he could, but the ingress and egress of transfers that worked so well for the Bulldogs a year ago has failed them to date this season. Samford, the conference titlist of 2022, fell to 3-4 overall and 2-3 in the conference.

The game could scarcely have started worse for the Paladins, who trailed 7-0 and gave up more than 100 yards in the first quarter. Quarterback Michael Hiers put the Bulldogs on the board just 1:38 into the game with a 38-yard pass to Brendan Jenkins.

Furman (5-1, 3-0 SoCon) responded bravely, putting together a 10-play, 90-yard drive and tying the score on Tyler Huff’s two-yard pass to Joshua Harris four seconds into the second period.

Field position didn’t favor Furman, which started its next drive at its own one after Will Thorley’s 34-yard punt.

The Paladins reached the Samford four, but an incompletion and a 15-yard sack forced Furman to settle for a 38-yard Ian Williams field goal, which provided a 10-7 lead with 3:07 remaining in the half.

Hiers hit 14 of his first 16 passes for 140 yards. After a slow start, Huff connected on eight of his first 12 for 97 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Samford tried to take matters into its own hands late in the half. An interference and a targeting call on consecutive, would-be plays gave the Paladins possession at the one with three seconds remaining. Ben Ferguson made a splendid one-handed catch for the TD, and a 17-point second quarter had seemingly erased any memory of the uneven start.

After the teams traded-third quarter touchdowns, Samford’s Chandler Smith rushed 22 yards for a score on a reverse with 11:23 remaining to trim the Furman advantage to 24-21. On the ensuing possession, Furman marched 41 yards on seven plays, and Axel Lepvreau capped the drive with a 46-yard field goal to extend the Paladins’ lead to 27-21 with 7:47 to play.

A Jack Barton sack helped halt Samford’s next possession, and the Paladins drove to the Bulldogs’ 49 before Ryan Leavy’s punt was fair caught at the 10 with 3:22 left. Samford advanced the ball to the 34, but a 10-yard penalty and sacks from Barton and Jeremiah Jackson aided in forcing a turnover-on-downs with 49 seconds to go to seal the victory.

Huff threw for 205 yards (19/28/1) and two touchdowns while rushing for 79 yards on 17 carries. Roberto rushed for a season-high 128 yards and a score on 18 carries as the Paladins’ offense outgained Samford, 416-337.

Ferguson caught five passes for 49 yards, while Luke Shiflett had three receptions for 71 yards.

Alabama native Cally Chizik totaled a team-high 13 tackles for the Paladins, and Barton and Evan DiMaggio each recorded a pair of sacks against Samford quarterback Hiers, who completed 36/49 for 291 yards and two scores.

On the ground, the Paladins outgained the Bulldogs, 211-109.

Furman travels to Cullowhee, N.C., next Saturday to face Western Carolina at E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+.

Take a look at the stats here.

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