Furman Host Mercer in Southern Conference Opener
Furman Paladins (2-1) come into the first SoCon conference of the year vs. Mercer Bears (2-1) after a huge win at Kennesaw St. Furman gets the ball first and starts its march done the field as the fans start coming in and its a huge crowd including those for Mercer. (Game Thread)
Furman drive stalls at mid field and they punt it away to Mercer who gets the ball on a touchback. Mercer starts driving down the field on Furman with several motion and scheme moves at the line trying to confuse the Paladins. The hurry up offense they are using is working so far as they are now down at the 25-yard line of the Paladins. Travis Blackshire has had a chance to have 3 interceptions in the game but has come up just a little short. Mercer sets up for a field goal 38-yard attempt and its blocked by #93 Jack Barton, and Furman takes over at the 21-yard line.
Furman gets the ball back and begins its march down the field but is held to kicking away from the 39- yard line and its Mercer taking over at the 23-yard line. Mercer gets down to the Furman 44 but has to punt away. and Furman takes over deep in its own territory at the 7-yard line. The Paladins get to the 36-yard line with a first down run by Dominick Roberto as the 1st quarter ends 0-0.
Furman begins the 2nd quarter with a first down at the 36 yard line and starts its march down the field and is now at the 39-yard line of Mercer. Furman takes the ball down to the 11 and kicks a field goal and its 3-0 Furman as they score first and get the fans something to cheer about.
Mercer starts its drive on the 25-yard line and starts going down the field. On 3rd down a end around goes nowhere and Furman will get the ball back. Furman is held at the 30 and the punt is blocked and ran back to the Furman gets the ball back after a penalty on the punt and it is first down Paladins. After a long pass to #11 Kyndel Dean the Paladins are at the Mercer 43-yard line and Huff runs it to the 30-yard line for a first down. Tyler Huff completes a pass to #2nJoshua Harris to the 10-yard line. Furman scores the touchdown when Domnick Roberto runs it in and Furman goes ahead 10-0 after a PAT.
Mercer gets the ball, but Furman is able to stop them, and they punt away, and Furman takes over at the 35-yard line and its first down Furman. Furman with a 1:34 left in the game to punt the ball back to Mercer. Furman is able to get the dropped ball from the kick returner #12 Shiflet recovers, then a touchdown run and its 17-0 Furman when Wayne Anderson gets the touchdown and its 1:18 left in the game.
Mercer takes the ball and marches quickly down the field to the Furman 26-yard line and its first down with 12 seconds left. Mercer completes the pass for a touchdown with 7 seconds left to make it 17-7 right before halftime.
The half opens with Mercer once again marching down the field on Furman, after two costly penalties that cost Furman a chance to get the ball, they get a sack, and the ball is at the 41-yard line 3rd down. The Bears on 3-26 run for 29 and now are at the Furman 10-yard line. Mercer gets the Touchdown and its 17-14 right out the halftime break and the Paladins need to find a way to stop making costly mistakes and hold Mercer’s QB as he has had huge scrambles in this game.
Mercer kicks off and its Furman ball on the 20-yard line with 7:55 left in the 3rd quarter. Furman starts its march to get a score and has the ball now on the 42-yard line 1st down. Furman is now down at the 29-yard line of Mercer. Furman gets a first down at the 13-yard line and are threatening to score with timeout on the field. Furman gets a run to make its first down and goal at the 3-yard line. Furman gets the touchdown, and its #7 Myion Hicks as the Paladins get the lead to 24-14 with 53 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.
We are at the end of the 3rd quarter with Furman up 24-14 and Mercer has the ball at the 27 -yard line 3rd and 8. Furman gets a huge sack as #93 and #97 stop the drive and Mercer kicks away, and Furman gets the ball at the Mercer 48-yard line.
Furman heads down to the 9-yard line and its first and goal Paladins. The Paladins get the touchdown as #89 Pline is in the end zone and its 31-14 Furman over the Mercer Bears with 11:17 left in the 4th quarter. The Paladins kick off to the Bears and the fans are having a great time in the stadium.
Mercer gets the ball and is having a 4th and 1 and is held and its Furman’s ball on the Mercer 27 yard line. Furman takes the ball wanting to run down the clock and get another score. The Paladins number #21Jayquan Smith runs 20 yards for a touchdown and with the PAT its 38-14 with 8:04 left in the game.
The Paladins kickoff to the Bears with the game in hand and make Mercer go four and out and now Furman gets the ball again at the 34-yard line. Furman goes 4 and out trying to run out the clock and Mercer gets the ball back and quickly gets a pass interference on the Furman backups defense. Mercer takes the ball into Furman territory and its 3rd down. Furman holds and takes over on the 50-yard line.
Furman is going to win this game today as the time comes off the clock and its Furman winning.
