Paladins Storm Into Williams Brice to Face South Carolina
The Furman Paladins (1-0) come into a hostile environment at the South Carolina Gamecocks (0-1) hoping to sneak out a win and give a huge upset on the 50th Anniversary of their storied series. The Paladins are a huge underdog even after a huge win over Tennessee Tech at home, then watching South Carolina drop a game to North Carolina two days later. The turnout will be electrifying as the crowd is already coming in masses ready to get the Gamecocks in the victory column.
The game has started, and Furman has kicked the ball out of the end zone and its USC on the 25 before a penalty is thrown. Carolina drives it down to the Furman 31 and attempts a Field Goal and it hits the uprights and is no good, and Furman takes over on the 31-yard line first down. Two plays and Furman is on the 2-yard line, after a Tyler huff run to the 47-yard line and a half back pass to the 2-yard line. On fourth down Furman scores a Touchdown when Dominck Roberto follows his blockers into the end zone. Furman takes a 7-0 lead, and the crowd has a silence about them after that series.
South Carolina gets the ball and quickly marches down the field to the Furman 19 before they call their first timeout of the half. There is 5:49 left in the first quarter as Furman tries to hold the Gamecocks, and its first down USC and goal to goal as we have a player injury. South Carolina is able to get a score and its tied up 7-7 with under 5 minutes left in the first.
Furman is unable to answer the Gamecocks Td and are punting the ball away to the 21 of Carolina and its first down Gamecocks. Furman defense is able to make the Gamecocks go three and out and now are set to get the ball back. Furman takes over at the 34-yard line and its first down Paladins. Furman is able to get a first down when Tyler huff runs and extends the ball, then next a trick play to the 44-yard line and its first down Paladins as the quarter ends.
Quarter number 2 opens up with Furman on the Carolina 44-yard line hoping to get some much-needed points on the board to keep up with this Gamecock offense. Furman takes the ball down and gets two straight first downs and is the red zone of USC on the 14-yard line. The Paladins score a huge Touchdown and have once again shut the crowd noise down and its 14-7 as Tyler Huff hits Luke Shiflitt on a TD pass.
After the kickoff, Carolina storms down the field and is in the red zone quickly and its first and goal. Carolina knocks it in the end zone on 3rd down and we are tied at 14-14 with 8 plus minutes in the half. Both teams seem to be able to answer each other’s scores so far. Furman gets the ball back and is unable to get a first down and has to punt away. Carolina takes over at the 35-yard line.
The Paladins are able to hold the gamecocks also and they get the ball back with 6:19 left in the half tied 14-14 and the ball on the 17-yard line. Furman after a penalty is kept from a first down and has to punt away, with a penalty on the return and the ball is moving back due to a block in the back by USC. The Gamecocks will get the ball 26 yard-line and its first down with 4:31 left. Carolina gets down to the Furman 41-yard line and takes a time out with 56 seconds left in the half still tied up at 14 points apiece. South Carolina hits a TD pass and its now 20-14 as a two-point conversation fails, and the lead is only 6 points.
USC right before the half with three seconds left takes the ball in and its now 27-14 after a interference call on Blackshire helped Carolina g
Furman will get the ball to start the half and will need to take it down and score to keep the Gamecocks at arm’s length to stay in this game. Crowd attendance was said to be 78,000 plus, as Huff and the Paladins are out and trying to make a statement on the first drive needing a score. Huff has connected on two straight first down throws and is driving Furman down the field and is at the 50. Carolina gets a sack and its 3rd down and 12. Huff makes a great play and gets a first down on an inside slant. Furman is sacked again and misses on 3rd down and punts the ball down to the 10-yard line. Carolina gets the ball and takes it down the field and scores a touchdown and we are now at 34-14 as the Gamecocks are pulling away from the Paladins.
Furman gets the ball back and goes three and out and the ball goes back to the Gamecocks down at the 26-yard line first and ten. South Carolina has the ball and seems content at running the ball wearing Furman down. Furman is able to make a stop on 3rd down and Carolina has to punt with 4 minutes left in the game.
Furman takes the ball at the one and Huff is drilled in the end zone but gets the ball off and connects up at the 27-yard line. Furman keeps shooting itself in the foot with penalties and its 3rd down and Huff is sacked at the 21-yard line, and they will have to punt away yet again. Carolina starts driving the ball down the field again as we are under a minute to go in the 3rd quarter. Carolina on a bomb by Rattler scores yet again to make the score 40-14 and the Paladins are looking rattled yet are able to keep the extra point from being added.
Furman throws a batted ball and its caught by a Carolina DT and its first down Carolina. Carolina then throws a touchdown pass and the score is 47-14 with 10:40 left in the 4th and Furman is left to wonder what if they had held Carolina at the half when they scored two quick touchdowns before halftime.
Furman new QB Carson Jones leads the Paladins down the field, but they lose the ball on downs and Carolina will take over on its own 27-yard line ahead 47-14 with under 6 minutes left in the game. Carolina fumbles the ball and Furman takes over at the 16 first down. Furman on the first play throws for a touchdown and its 47 to 21 and they pull within 26 points of their SEC foe.
