Furman Stuns Mocs Late to Claim Hold on SoCon Title
In a game that came down to the wire, Furman defeated Chattanooga 17-14 on Saturday to take a commanding lead in the Southern Conference race.
The Mocs opened the game with a bold move, going for it on 4th and short at the Furman 36-yard line. The conversion attempt failed, and Furman took over.
The Paladins were unable to move the ball on their opening drive, but they also refused to give up. On 4th and inches at their own 40-yard line, Furman went for it and converted. The Paladins drove deep into Mocs territory, but they were unable to convert a fourth-down attempt at the UTC 34-yard line.
Both teams continued to trade blows throughout the first half, with neither team able to gain a significant advantage. The Mocs missed a 40-yard field goal, and Furman blocked a punt and recovered the ball deep in UTC territory. However, the Paladins were unable to capitalize on the opportunity, and the teams went into halftime scoreless.
Furman put the first points on the board in the third quarter with a field goal. The Mocs responded quickly, as quarterback Chase Artopoeus connected with Javin Whatley on a 67-yard touchdown pass.
Furman switched to backup quarterback Carson Jones after Tyler Huff was unable to return, and the offense came alive. Jones led the Paladins on a touchdown drive, capped off by a pass to Colton Hinton.
The Mocs answered with a touchdown of their own, as Mayes scored on a 70-yard tipped pass from Artopoeus.
With one minute left in the game, Furman faced a 4th and 3 at the Chattanooga 12-yard line. Jones connected with Wayne Anderson Jr. for a touchdown pass, giving the Paladins a 17-14 lead.
The Mocs had one last chance to tie or win the game, but their fake reverse pass attempt on 4th and 3 was unsuccessful.
Furman’s victory was a major blow to Chattanooga’s SoCon title hopes. The Paladins are now in control of their own destiny, and they need just one more win to clinch the championship.
Key Takeaways
- Furman’s backup quarterback, Carson Jones, was outstanding in the fourth quarter, leading the Paladins on two touchdown drives.
- The Mocs made several costly mistakes, including a missed field goal and a turnover on downs in the fourth quarter.
- The Paladins are now in control of the SoCon race, and they need just one more win to clinch the championship.
