A shocking Saturday loss to Wofford made it a bit more nervous and cost Furman a few seedings, but the Paladins are safely seeded seventh with a first-round bye in the playoffs of the Football Championship Subdivision.
(It’s the same reason one should occasionally say the Pledge of Allegiance, just to make sure one still remembers the words. Write it out occasionally.)
Next week Chattanooga (7-4) plays Austin Peay (9-2), and the winner of that game plays Furman (9-2) at Paladin Stadium on Dec. 2.
Much remains to be settled, but the national-championship game is to be contested at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2024, on ABC at 2 p.m. EST.
The championship game will be at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on Sunday, January 7. It will air on ABC at 2 p.m. ET.
The playoff berth is the Paladins’ 20th and fourth under head coach Clay Hendrix. Furman also hosted a playoff game a year ago, ousting Elon in the first round.
The Paladins, who own a 20-18 all-time playoff record, have played for three FCS (formerly I-AA) championships and captured the league’s first national championship in 1988, defeating Georgia Southern, 17-12, in Pocatello, Idaho.
Furman opened the season with a 45-10 triumph over Tennessee Tech before falling to South Carolina, 47-21. The Paladins then reeled off eight consecutive wins, beating Kennesaw State, 31-28, on the road before opening SoCon play with a 38-14 win over Mercer at home.
Following a 28-14 victory over The Citadel in Greenville, Furman successfully navigated a stretch of three road challenges in its next four games, beating defending league champion Samford (27-21), Western Carolina (29-17), and Chattanooga (17-14). The win over the Mocs on Nov. 4 earned Furman a share of the 2023 league crown, and the Paladins made it outright the following week with a 37-3 triumph over VMI at home.
Wofford upset Furman, 19-13, in the regular-season finale.
Furman’s defense has been the driving force behind the team’s success, leading the SoCon in scoring defense (17.7 ppg), rushing defense (90.5 ypg), sacks (36), total defense (322.9 ypg), third-down conversion defense (.322), red-zone defense (.667), interceptions (17), turnovers gained (26), and turnover margin (+1.45/FCS No. 1), among others.
Furman’s 15th SoCon championship is an all-time best in the league’s history.
Furman season ticket holders, who whose purchase already secured them tickets to the Paladins’ first playoff game, can log into their One Furman TIX Account Manager to manage and access playoff tickets.
Playoff Ticket Prices:
Sections 1, 5 & 6: $25 per ticket
Sections 2, 4 & 7: $30 per ticket
Sections 3 & 8: $45 per ticket
Club Level: $200 per ticket
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Nightrider's Lament 