Furman set for nationally televised FCS quarterfinal clash with #2 Montana in rematch of 2001 national title game
The Furman Paladins have leaped with a full head of steam out of the frying pan of the 2nd round of the 2023 FCS Playoffs and have landed with deafening force into the fires of Missoula, Montana and a quarterfinal date with the #2 team in the country.
Furman paved their path into the FCS quarterfinals with a firm victory over fellow Southern Conference member Chattanooga last Saturday, giving them confidence as they forge further into the playoffs.
However, the path to the FCS Championship only gets harder the further one advances, and Furman’s next test will be their toughest to date.
The #2 seeded Montana Grizzlies (11-1) will host Furman (10-2) in Missoula for nationally televised quarterfinal action on ESPN2 with kickoff slated for the television friendly time of 9 PM EST.
Furman will enter the contest following a dominating first victory of their playoff run, handing Chattanooga a 26-7 loss in the 2nd round. The return of senior QB and team captain Tyler Huff to the field certainly buoyed his team of Paladins on their way to the winning side of the scoreboard.
“You always hear ‘beat somebody, especially a good team, twice’, that doesn’t happen a lot.” Furman head coach Clay Hendrix told the media including Furman Joust on Monday. “We feel blessed to be able to get that win.”
But while Furman may be playing their best football to date, even the best may not be enough to stop the Montana Machine on the opposite sideline.
The Grizzlies enter Friday’s contest coming off a 49-19 dismantling of Delaware in the 2nd round, a mere continuation of the damage they inflicted on their FCS opponents in the midst of their one loss regular season.
“We’ll have to play exceptionally well to have a chance,” Coach Hendrix said. “I’m not sure a lot of people are giving us a chance, but we’re gonna go anyway. We’re gonna have a good week of practice, and we’ll see what happens.”
The contest will only be the second time in history that Furman has faced Montana, with the first matchup occuring in the 2001 FCS Championship game. The Grizzlies squeaked out a 13-6 victory in neutral site Chattanooga, TN in that game, securing their 2nd national championship in school history and keeping Furman from their 2nd title.
There’s nothing quite like Friday night football under the lights, and the stakes could not be higher for this one.
It’s time for the national audience to get a taste of the FCS on ESPN2. It’s time for a rematch of national championships from storied pasts. It’s time for #2 Furman vs #7 Montana tonight at 9 PM EST.
2023 statistics:
Furman Football
PPG: 27.33
Points allowed (per game): 16.83
Rushing Yards (team): 1952 yds
Passing yards (team):2274 yds
Rushing leader: RB Dominic Roberto (755 yds, 9 TDs), QB Tyler Huff (520 yds, 5 TDs)
Passing leader: QB Tyler Huff (1681 yds, 9 TDs)
Receiving leader: WR Joshua Harris (40 rec, 359 yds, 2 TDs)
Tackles leader: LB Braden Gilby (81 tot, 41 solo)
Montana Football
PPG: 32.08
Points allowed (per game): 14.83
Rushing yards (team): 2333 yds
Passing yards (team): 2387 yds
Rushing leader: RB Eli Gillman (899 yds, 10 TDs)
Passing leader: QB Clifton McDowell (1493 yds, 11 TDs)
Receiving leader: WR Junior Bergen (45 rec, 663 yds, 4 TDs)
Tackles leader: LB Braxton Hill (96 tot, 34 solo)
Television information:
ESPN 2 | 9 PM EST
Furman vs Montana will be broadcast to a national audience on ESPN 2 with kickoff slated for 9 PM EST
Radio broadcasts can be found on The Fan Upstate and its four main stations: 97.7 FM/1330 AM in Greenville, and 97.1 FM/950 AM in Spartanburg.
Additionally, radio broadcasts can be found on Audacy.com, as well as through furmanpaladins.com.
For more news and coverage of all Furman Paladin athletics, be sure to follow The Furman Joust podcast on twitter, or visit our website at furmanjoust.com.
