A Detailed History of Furman Football to ever suit up on the defensive side of the football for the Paladins, causing many to recall the days of another of those lightning-quick safeties, in John Keith, who hit opposing receivers and 2014 Furman Football Preview running backs like a freight train. The same can obviously be said of Worthy, who was quite When Furman takes the field for the first time in 2014 against Gardner-Webb on simply a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball for the Paladins. Aug. 30, they will do so as the 13-time Southern Conference champions, which is something no other program in the Southern Conference has accomplished. Worthy have all a glimpse of that ability to turn a game and the momentum in the Paladins’ favor when he decked Wofford running back Lorenzo Ferguson, forcing the ball free and it would The 2013 season saw the Paladins complete the campaign in grand style, and after starting the be Worthy who made the fumble recovery for the Paladins. The turnover had been perfect final month of the regular-season with just a 3-5 mark, not many could have envisioned the timing for the Paladin defense, which had seen Wofford have success running the football up campaign would end with a Southern Conference title and a trip to the postseason for the first the middle for most of the afternoon. time since 2006 as the automatic qualifier from the Southern Conference. The hit, which was so foreful that the ball immediately fly free and into Ira McCune’s waiting In 2014, the Paladins will have a different challenge ahead of them, as fourth-year head Bruce arms, and the play turned out to be the turning point in a game Furman had to win to have shot Fowler must manage the highest expectations a Furman team has had since he took over the at a 13th Southern Conference title, as the Paladins had trailed 14-0 prior to that point and had post prior to the 2011 season. just seen a promising drive thwarted by a Wofford INT. Already the Paladins have seen some negatives emerge early in the spring, as two key starters The 6-1, 215-pound redshirt senior proved to be one of the greatest athletes to ever put on among the 17 returning have been removed from the team by Fowler, as both defensive back a Purple jersey in Greenville, and though there were some down years for Furman football, Jairus Hollman and center Eric Thoni have both been removed from the team due to violations of Worthy was especially instrumental in getting the Paladins back to the level of eliciting fear to school policy. No doubt the two losses are ones that will be felt for a team expected to challenge opponsing wide receivers when they thought about crossing the middle against the Paladin for a 14th Southern Conference crown this fall. defensive backs, and in particular, their contingent of safeties. Hollman is a significant loss for the Paladins heading into the 2014 season, as the loss of a In 2013, Worthy would be helped out in his defensive backfield post by both Nickel safety Jairus defensive back will be the one felt most. After all, Hollman helped win two games for the Hollman and free safety Marcus McMorris, although McMorris would be moved to outside Paladins by himself last season, scoring a pair of TDs in the playoff win over South Carolina State, linebacker towards the end of the season, maximizing his potential in the Paladin defense to an setting a school-record with a 90-yard return for a score against the Bulldogs, while his 34-yard even greater degree. INT return for the score in third quarter helped the Paladins get a little bit of a cushion in what was a tight game. The losses at the skill positions were few, but the Paladin coaching staff will have the burden of replacing a reliable, physical receiver in Ryan Culbreath, who could not only make the clutch Hollman also blocked a potential game-winning field goal attempt against Presbyterian last, catch when called upon to do so, but also get out there and make the key block for teammates which ended up winning the game for the Paladins. Without Hollman last year, the Paladins down field. would have likely been minus two victories. For the second-staight season, the Paladins must replace their starting tight end, as Camerron Despite the losses of the two players, the Paladins should still be very good in 2014. Most of Mason has graduated, and unlike his predecessor, who was one of the greatest pass-catching the excitement for the Paladin coaching staff involves the defense, which should be among the tight ends to ever suit up for the Paladins, in Colin Anderson, Mason was seemingly excelled as best in FCS this fall, and could be the best defensive unit the Paladins have fielded since 2011, or a pass-blocker. even perhaps, since 2006. Anderson was a supreme athlete, and it would show all four years as a reliable pass-catching It will be hard to expect the Paladins to enjoy the same type of success in turning teams over option for the Paladins. Anderson came to Furman as a quarterback, however, with the position this season like they did in 2014, as the Paladins ranked ninth nationally in turnover margin (), stocked with talent, Anderson was to be better utilized in the Furman offense, and that role enjoying one of the best seasons in school history in terms of turning teams over. turned out to be tight end, where he lit up defenses to the tune of 1,541 receiving yards on 90 catches, which included a school-record 11 scoring catches for TDs. The Paladin offense weren’t world-beaters last season, but the unit didn’t have to be, as Furman did a nice job of playing to their strength. The Paladins know what they have with starter Reese The Paladins will keep with that theme this season, with Duncan Fletcher converting from Hannon under center, which is a signal-caller that doesn’t make many mistakes and one that quarterback to tight end. Fletcher--a freshman last fall--starting twice, and came off the puts the Paladin offense in good stead almost every time he got his hands on the ball last bench to complete all three passes, including a 44-yarder to Gary Robinson, which set up the season. game-winning score. It was the characteristic of Hannon, coupled with the sure foot of 2013 senior Ray Early that With Fletcher’s athleticism, size and hands, he will be an asset to the Paladin passing attack helped the Paladins post a conversion rate of 80% last season. not too much different than Anderson, and tight ends coach Duane Vaughn, who has been an outstanding asset to the Furman coaching staff in his own respect, is hoping the same proves Early may indeed be the biggest loss for the Paladins--even a bigger loss than Hollman or Wor- true for Fletcher this fall. Furman has had a tradition of producing top-notch tight ends, and are thy on the defensive side of the ball, and perhaps, dare I say it, a bigger loss than losing Dakota an FCS program that is among the elite when consistently producing elite talent at the position. Dozier to graduation at left tackle. Despite some significant losses--some expected and some of the recent ones un-foreseen, the The senior from Darlington, S.C., was sensational as a senior, with his 249-career kick points Paladins will continue to adhere to the same mantras, which are get up and fight when things ranking third all-time in program history in kick scoring, and his six field goals in a 32-20 win don’t go according to play, and the next man up approach, which was never more evident than at Western Carolina helped him put his name atop the Paladin single game field goals mark, how the Paladins responded to the multitude of injuries at quarterback last season. eclipsing the five connected on by former Paladin great Glen Connally in 1990 in a win at East Tennessee State. The six field goals by Early against the Catamounts also tied a Southern Conference record. REVIEWING 2013 IN PICTURES: Early’s 20 field goals in the 2013 season were the most in a single season in school history, as Week 1: Aug. 31, 2013 Gardner-Webb 28 he eclipsed the previous standard of 18 field goals in a single-season, surpassing the previous Furman 21 standard set by Mike Wood. He finished 43-for-59 on field goals for his career, including a For Greg Worthy and the Furman perfect mark of 4-for-4 from 50-plus yards in his standout career. Paladfins, it wasn’t quite the start to the season that a young football Dozier, who might have been the best offensive lineman to ever line up on a fall Saturday after- team had hoped for, as the Paladins noon for the Purple and White, was rewarded this past May, as he was a fourth-round selection dropped a 28-21 decision to the Gard- of the New York Jets, going as the 37th pick in the round. Dozier’s selection helped him become ner-Webb Bulldogs, after holding a the 31st player in the history of the Furman football program to be drafted into the NFL. 21-7 lead early in the third quarter. The Paladins would start the season He was the sixth player from the FCS to be chosen in the NFL Draft, as well as being the second with a true freshman signal-caller from the Southern Conference in the draft this past spring. Dozier was more than significant for under center for the first time since the Paladins during his four years as a Paladin, helping pave the way for 1,000-yard rushers in 1956, with Dillon Woodruff getting each of his final three seasons as a Paladin. Dozier was a consensus All-American and was the the start in start of sophomore SoCon’s Jacobs Blocking Award member. Reese Hannon, who was nursing a strained oblique in the final week of The Paladins also must replace All-SoCon safety Greg Worthy, who was one of the fastest playe preseason camp. A Detailed History of Furman Football Chattanooga 31 2014 Furman Football Preview Furman 9 Week 6: Oct. 12, 2013 Duncan Fletcher would start his sec- #23 Co. Carolina 35 Week 2: Sept. 7, 2013 ond-straight game in place of regular Furman 28 starter Reese Hannon, who left the On the road for the second week in lineup in the win over The Citadel, a row to begin the 2013 season, the and he would be overwhelmed, get- Paladins would run into a prolific ting sacked six times in what turned offense, but the Paladins would out to be Furman’s second-worst loss have their leader back under center, to an FCS opponent. The Paladin of- and put forth an inspired effort fense struggled against the talented against the Chanticleers, out-gaining UTC defense, which limited Furman to Coastal, 472-433, however, for the a season-low 189 yards. The Paladins second-straight week, the Paladins got an outstanding performance from would come out on the short end of place-kicker Ray Early, who garnered the scoreboard, with a 35-27 setback. SoCon Special Teams Player of the It would be the start of a long Week after his three FGs vs. UTC. confidence building process for the Paladins, and it would be the third loss in as many seasons to CCU. Furman 27 Week 7: Oct. 19, 2013 Appalachian State 10 It would mark the final meeting Furman 21 between Furman and Appalachian Week 3: Sept. 14, 2013 Presbyterian 20 State as FCS and Southern Conference Furman would pick up its first win members, and it would the Paladins of the 2013 season in its home that would get the final say in a series opemer against Presbyterian, but of matchups that has featured some it would take a blocked potential truly classic games, which has colored game-winning 23-yard field goal by the hsitory of both programs’ football Jairus Hollman with just 18 seconds histories. A 98-yard INT return for a remaining, as the Paladins would score by Gary Wilkins established the claim their 15th-straight win over momentum, and it would prove to Palmetto State rival Presbyterian. be not only a momentum-changing Offensively, the Paladins would not play for the game against the Black reach the 300-yard plateau on the and Gold, but it would prove to be a day, and would struggle to maintain momentum changer for the rest of any sort of rhythm, however, Hank the season. McCloud managed to rush for 102 yards and a pair of scores to lead the No. 13 LSU 48 FU offense. Furman 16 Week 8: Oct. 26, 2013 Taking on one of the most versatile Furman 24 offenses in college football, Furman The Citadel 17 Week 4: Sept. 28, 2013 certainly acquitted itself well in Furman would pick up its first road the opening half, and even had a victory of the 2013 season in dramat- chance to take the lead heading into ic fashion, as the Paladins used an the locker room, but had to settle opportunistic offense, and had three for a Ray Early field goal, which left different quarterbacks take snaps the Paladins trailing by only four under center before leaving the Port (20-16) as the two teams entered the City with a dramatic 24-17 victory. halftime locker room. The Paladins The story of the game for the Paladins got out to the early lead when was backup quarterback Duncan Reggie Thomas picked off a Zach Fletcher, who finished the game by Mettenberger pass and returned it 74 completring all three of his passes, yards for a score, giving the Paladins including a 44-yarder to Gary Rob- their only lead of the night. inson, which eventually set up the game-winning score for the Paladins on a 13-yd run by Tanner Skogen. Furman 16, Week 9: Nov. 2 , 2013 Georgia Southern 14 Furman made it two-for-two against Elon 28, teams moving from the FCS to FBS Week 5: Oct. 5, 2013 Furman 25 following the 2013 season, as the In the last meeting between Furman Paladins went on the road and posted and Elon as Southern Conference a memorable 16-14 win over bitter members, the Paladins fell behind arch-rival Georgia Southern. It would 28-10 and would stage a furious snap a three-game losing streak to rally in the second half, but despite the Eagles, and marked the Paladins’ out-scoring the Phoenix 15-0 in the first win in Statesboro since 2009. second half, could not overcome The Paladins electrified the small, but first-half miscues, which included vocal contingent that made the trip a Chandler Wrightenberry pick six, from Greenville on the game’s very leading to a somewhat stunning first play, as Andrej Suttles hauled in halftime scoreline. The Paladins got a 75-yard scoring catch from running another outstanding performance back Tanner Skogen on a little from junior running back Hank razzle-dazzle play. McCloud, who finished the day with 116 rushing yards. A Detailed History of Furman Football Furman 34, No. 20 FCS Second Round Week 10: Nov. 9 , 2013 Samford 17 Week 14: Dec. 4, 2013 No. 1 NDSU 38, Furman kept its momentum No. 25 Furman 7 going in the final month of the Furman’s magical ride in 2013 season regular-season, as the Paladins took would come to an end against down Southern Conference leader eventual two-time defending Samford, keeping alive their dream of national champion North Dakota winning a 13th Southern Conference State, as the Paladins dropped a 38-7 title on a Homecoming Saturday in decision at the FargoDome in Fargo, Greenville. The story of the game was North Dakota. The Paladins certainly a Furman defense that kept the heat had chances to take the lead into the on a pass-happy Samford offense, halftime locker room, but a goal line and senior quarterback Andy Sum- stand by a stout Bison defense kept merlin. At the center of that defensive the Paladin offense at bay, as the half performance, who played outside wound down, and the Paladins went linebacker and garnered national to the break trailing just player of the week honors.

The Furman Offense: Furman 32, W. Carolina 20 Week 11: Nov. 16 , 2013 The 2014 season brings about high hopes for the Furman offense, and although The Paladins edged a step closer to the numbers put up by the unit weren’t something that would strike fear into the opponents a Southern Conference title with a faced by the Paladins in 2013, the unit was the model of efficiency led by quarterbackReese 32-21 win over Western Carolina in Hannon (153-of-254 passing, 1,748 yards, 7 TDs, 5 INTs),, who heads into his junior season as the Paladins’ final road game of the the Paladins’ starter under center. 2013 regular-season. The story of the night was Ray Early, who set a Hannon is among eight starters returning for the Paladins on the offensive side of the football school-record and tied a Southern for the 2014 season, with all but one receiver returning to the fold and all three leading rushers Conference record with six field goals coming back in the backfield. Three are back on the offensive line, with starters Dakota Dozier in the hard-fought win. The Pakadubs and Eric Thoni having to be replaced at left tackle and center, respectively. aksi got an important 146 rushing yards from Richard Hayes III, which All told, the Paladins are coming off a 2013 season which saw it average just 22.7 PPG and 318.3 was the second-highest rushing total YPG, but again, those somewhat low averages don’t take into account the efficiency with which by a Furman quarterback in program the offense displayed last fall. It was, in particular, a good season rushing the football for the history. With Samford’s win over UTC, Paladins, which is a must in the Southern Conference. an FU win over Wofford meant it would share the league title. In total offense, the 318.3 YPG would rank Furman seventh in the SoCon and 102nd nationally, while the 22.7 PPG ranked fourth in the SoCon and 81st nationally among FCS teams in scoring offense. The Paladins also ranked fourth in the SoCon and 95th nationally in passing offense, Furman 27, No. 25 averaging 170.4 YPG through the air last fall. Week 12: Nov. 23 , 2013 Wofford 14 Furman would claim its first Southern It’s a conference which almost demands a balanced offense, and last season, the Paladins Conference title since 2001, as the averaged a solid 149.3 YPG on the ground, producing a 1,000-yard rusher for the third-consec- Paladins were 27-14 victors over utive season. Those totals helped the Paladins rank fourth in the SoCon and 79th nationally in Palemtto and Upper State rival total offense. Wofford, but had to come from behind to get the win. Reese Hannon Hannon now enters his junior season with hopes of leading Furman even further he did in his would put up a career-high 326 second season as a starter, as he was the main cog in helping the Paladins lift the program’s yards and tossed a TD in leading the 13th Southern Conference title, as well as win their first playoff game since 2006. Paladins to the win. The win gave the Paladins their 13th Southern The Greer, S.C., product isn’t a quarterback that is going to put up huge numbers under center, Conference title, and would put the and he isn’t going to be the most recognizable figure of the Paladin offense like predecessors program alone in first place for most Ingle Martin or Chris Forcier might have been. He doesn’t have a well-advertised, big arm, or Southern Conference titles won. The track speed, but what he does bring the Paladin offense is accuracy in the passing attack, and win, coupled with Samford’s win extreme, almost error-free efficiency in his understanding of the Furman offense. over Elon, qualified Furman for the FCS playoff for the 16th time. One of the most important things for a quarterback is to play within himself, and Hannon does that perhaps better than any quarterback than any quarterback in the history of the Furman FCS First Round football program. Furman 30, No. 24 SC State 20 Week 13: Nov. 30, 2013 The Paladins were 0-3 against Elon, Chattanooga and Gardner-Webb without the services of In the FCS playoffs for the first time Hannon last season, but were an impressive 8-3 in games he started. Hannon took over the since 2006, the Paladins claimed a starting job for Furman after Dakota Derrick went down with a shoulder injury in the Paladins’ postseason berth, and the Paladins second game of the 2012 season, and since putting on a dazzling, 255-yard, three touchdown headed down to Orangeburg for the performance, he has never looked back in his role as a starter, only relinquishing the job because opening round of the postseason to of injuries since. battle No. 24 South Carolina State. It was the first meeting between The Paladins are 0-5 over the past two seasons in games Hannon did not start, and 0-4 in games the Paladins and Bulldogs since the in which he did not see any action. In his first couple of seasons under center for the Paladins, 1998 season, and it marked Furman’s Hannon has connected on 313-of-514 passes for 3,644 yards, with 14 TDs and 13 INTs. In 2013, first trip to Orangeburg since the Hannon connected on 153-of-254 passes for 1,748 yards, with seven TDs and five INTs. Hannon 1997 season. With the playoff game led Furman to the program’s first Southern Conference title since 2004, first playoff appearance against the Bulldogs, it came as a since 2006 and first playoff victory since 2005. little bit of a surprise for Furman, which is slated for the 2014 season. Hannon also became the youngest quarterback, according to class, to lead Furman to a Jairus Hollman set a record in the Southern Conference title as a sophomore signal-caller since Frankie DeBusk led the Paladins to contest, posting a 90-yd punt return league and national titles as a super sophomore back in 1988. Hannon’s signature performance for a score and a 34-yd INT ret for of the season came in a game of paramount importance against Wofford, in which the Paladins a score. needed to win in order to claim the Southern Conference crown. Hannon, the cousin of former A Detailed History of Furman Football Paladin standout quarterback Justin bitter arch-rival, Fletcher would be at the forefront of the win, as he steadied the offense, and Hill did was proceed to throw for a ultimately led the Paladins to their winning score in what was a thrilling 24-17 victory. career-high 326 yards, with a TD and an INT, as he led the Paladins to the Fletcher’s first pass of the game was a 43-yard completion, which set up the game-winning all important 27-14 title-clinching score for the Paladins. In total, Fletcher finished the contest connecting on all three of his passes win over they Terriers. for 61 yards. Hannon’s performance over his first Though the Paladins would lose both games the young, brash quarterback would start, he two seasons has already placed him would show the kind of grit, determination and athleticism that will make him an integral part in the Top 10 of the program’s all- of the offense in the future in his new role at tight end. time leading passers, and with his uncanny ability to manage a game, In Furman’s SoCon home opener against Elon, the Paladins fell behind by a 28-10 at the break, as well as make the big, accurate but the brazen and brash young Paladin quarterback was able to lead the Paladins on a furious throw in clutch situations, the Pala- second-half rally, falling just short in a 28-25 setback. For Fletcher, he was able to connect on dins have an excellent opportunity 25-of-38 passes for 255 yards, with a TD and an INT. to at least match their achievements of a year ago, but have likely set Fletcher would start his third and final game of the season for the Paladins against Chanttanoo- their sights on even more if they can ga, but the young quarterback would end up struggling against one of the top defenses in the accomplish the first goal, which is Southern Conference, finishing that contest connecting on just 8-of-17 passes for 62 yards, with win the SoCon. an INT. Fletcher was sacked six times in the contest. Furman Junior QB Reese Hannon Hannon is extremely vital to this One of the luxuries Furman will have this fall is having enough experience at quarterback to offense, and the success of Furman move Hayes III back to his natural position, while being able to utilize Fletcher at a different in 2014 likely depends on his ability to stay healthy. If he is able to stay injury free the Paladins position on offense due to the one area which was hit hard by graduation, which is tight end. likely don’t have a limit to the success they can achieve this fall. The Paladins also recruited the quarterback position extremely well over the past couple of The best news for Hannon is the support he will have under center this fall, with some excellent seasons, with Woodruff being a real solid find in the 2013 class, and P.J. Blazejowski being an options waiting in the wings should the unfortunate occurence of an injury. especially talented find by the Paladin coaching staff in the 2014 signing class. One of several options returning to provide support behind Hannon under center will be Blazejowski, a product of Jacksonville, FL, comes to Furman from Bartram Trail High School, redshirt freshman Dillon Woodruff (7-of-16 passing, 123 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs), who became the where he put up some impressive numbers during his time as a prep. first freshman quarterback to start for the Paladins under center since 1956, when Woodruff started the opener against Gardner-Webb for Hannon, who had to miss the start with a strained The 6-0, 175-pound dual-threat signal-caller was a 6A All-State performer, passing for 2,468 oblique. yards and 17 TDs as a senior, while rushing for 874 yards and 14 scores, accounting for 31 TD responsibilities. He led Bartram Trail to the semifinals of the state playoffs, after starting Woodruff would get injured in that opening game against Gardner-Webb, as he suffered a 0-5 to begin the season. He led Bartram Trail to eight-straight wins and helped them make a shoulder injury that would sideline him for the remainder of the season. The loss of Woodruff Furman-like run into the postseason. would prove costly later in the season when the Paladins suffered further injuries at the quar- terback position, however, the “next-man-up” mentality would prove to pay off the Paladins in Blazejowski runs in the 4.5-4.6 range in the the end for Furman. forty-yard dash, and throws especially well on the run. He will remind Paladin fans of Injuries can often be a two-edged sabre, however, as a result of last season’s multitude of former Furman quarterbacks Philly Jones injuries under center played out in favor of the Paladins in terms of experience heading into the and Frankie DeBusk, who were both run-pass 2014 season. threats as Paladin signal-callers. Another positive for the Paladins under center includes the return of Terry Robinson (0-of-1 Furman’s offense has been among the passing, 1 INT/23 rush att, 101 yds, 4 TDs, 4.4 YPC) under center, who saw his season cut short most physically imposing when it comes to due to an injury to a knee injury against Elon, returns to the fold to add even more depth to the establishing the run and running the ball position, allowing Richard Hayes III (302 rushing yards, 2 TDs) to move back to the defensive between the tackles under the direction of side of the ball, while Duncan Fletcher (36-of-58, 378 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs) will also move to a Bruce Fowler. different position, which is on the offensive side of the ball, as he moves to tight end. In Fowler’s three seasons as the head Robinson was particularly effective in a win over The Citadel, which started the Paladins on coach, all three have yielded a 1,000-yard their momentuos run through the Southern Conference and on to their 13th Southern Confer- ground-gainer, and the Paladins return one ence crown. The week prior to the season-ending injury, Robinson turned in his best game as of the best in the SoCon to the fold this fall, a Paladin against The Citadel. He finished that contest rushing for 46 yards and a pair of crucial in senior Hank McCloud (215 rush att, 1,092 TDs, helping the Paladins post what was a 24-17 upset road win at The Citadel. yds, 5 TDs, 5.1 YPC). Despite coming to Furman as a defensive back, Hayes-a product of the Gate City of Greensboro, McCloud is a player that will obviously be key N.C.--would prove to be a vital asset on the offensive side of the football, particularly in a to the success of the Furman offense in 2014, late-season battle with Western Carolina, as the Paladins needed a road win to keep their and playing to McCloud’s strengths in the postseason and Southern Conference title hopes alive and well. Furman Senior RB Hank McCloud Paladin offense this fall will be paramount to the success of this offense. Hayes III was forced into action at mid-season after Robinson went down with a mid-season in- jury, and all the true freshman-turned-defensive back would do was turn on the after-burners. Coming into his final season as a Paladin ball-carrier, McCloud has amassed 1,854 career rushing yards to go along with 12 TDs. His 1,092 rushing yards last season were the second-most in He produced one of the best rushing performances in the history of Furman football in the reg- the league in 2013, finishing second to only Appachian State’s Marcus Cox, who completed the ular-season road finale against Western Carolina, as Hayes III ran for a career-best 144 yards and campaign with 1,250 yards to set an Appalachian freshman rushing record. a crucial 60-yard scoring run late in the third quarter, extending a two-point Paladin advantage to nine points, at 26-17. With ASU’s move to the Sun Belt Conference this fall, McCloud returns as the SoCon’s top running back, and will have three starters returning along the offensive front in front of him, giving the The 144 rushing yards by Hayes III accounted for the second-highest rushing total in a single Tampa, FL, product an excellent chance to make it 4-for-4 in seasons in which a Paladin running game in Furman football history. Two of Hayes’ carries accounted for 114 of his 144 yards in back has rushed for at least 1,000 yards in the season. the win over the Catamounts for the second-highest rushing total in a single game in Furman football history. McCloud had several big performances toting the pigskin last fall for the Paladins, including a 133-yard, two TD performance in the loss at Coastal Carolina early last season. McCloud also Finally, Fletcher was called up to start two contests in 2013, with the freshman walk-on getting recorded 100-yard rushing performances against PC (102 yds, 2 TDs), Elon (116 yds, 1 TD) and introduced to Southern Conference football against The Citadel, leading the Paladin offense Georgia Southern (102 yds). to a win in that contest after Reese Hannon suffered an ankle injury. In the epic win over a A Detailed History of Furman Football McCloud was also used as a threat in the return game for the Paladins last fall, and he will once During his prep career, Gibson starred as both a fullback and linebacker. He amassed 105 tackles again this fall. As a kick-return threat, McCloud completed the season with 536 return yards on and garnered All-Cobb County honors duruing his senior campaign. 23 returns, averaging 23.3 yards-per-return. He averaged 125.9 all-purpose yards per game last season, ranking fifth in the SoCon. Overall, Furman appears to once again have a solid ground attack, and with McCloud, Cain and Skogen leading the way, the Paladins have one of the best trios of running backs in the Southern McCloud has good hands coming out of the backfield, and is perhaps even slightly a better Conference heading into the 2014 season. It will be important for that trio to stay healthy, pass-catcher coming out of the backfield than his predecessor was, which of course was Jerodis however, as the depth is a bit short on experience behind those three. Williams. McCloud completed the 2013 campaign with 19 catches for 134 yards and a TD, averaging 7.1 YPC. Another strength of the offense this fall will be the receivers at which quarterback Reese Han- non will have at his disposal in 2014. The Paladins did lose a talented receiving option, in Ryan Tanner Skogen (40 rush att, 206 yds, 2 Culbreath, but return a trio of wideouts TDs, 5.2 YPC) returns as a solid compliment that could all find themselves on one of the to McCloud coming out of the backfield for All-SoCon teams at season’s end. the Paladins. The team’s top returning wideout from a Skogen, like McCloud, is an explosive back year ago is Andrej Suttles (50 rec, 697 with good speed, elusiveness and vision. He yds, 3 TDs, 13.9 YPR), who is coming off the might be a little more of a power back than best freshman season ever turned in by a McCloud with his ability to get tough yards, Furman rookie pass-catcher. and he also has excellent hands catching the football for the Paladins. Suttles really came on down the stretch, and he is a receiver that probably most Skogen brings plenty of versatility to the resembles Adam Mims or Des Kitchings backfield for the Paladins, as he flashed his from season’s past in terms of the type big arm in late season wins against Georgia receiver he is. Southern and Samford, tossing a 75-yard TD to Andrej Suttles on the opening play of Like Mims and Kitchings, Suttles’ speed the game against Georgia Southern, while makes him a potential impact player on taking a handoff from Hannon and tossing nearly every play he is on the field. He has a 46-yard bomb to Jordan Snellings a week the ability to make people miss in space, Furman Junior RB Tanner Skogen later in the homecoming win over Samford. and will be up to the offensive coaches to devise ways to get Suttles the ball, as Skogen’s play down the stretch in 2013 was especially impressive, as he rushed for 116 yards on former coaches did so masterfully with the just 13 carries (8.9 YPC), including a 53-yard jaunt early in the third quarter, in Furman’s 30-20 aforementioned two. playoff win over South Carolina State. The 53 yards on the carry were more than he had amassed Furman Junior QB/WR Terry Robinson in the previous 12 games of the season for Furman. Suttles set Furman freshman receiving records for receptions (50) and receiving yards (697), and would become the Paladins primary, Perhaps Skogen’s biggest contribution to the Paladins in 2013 came in the momentum-building, go-to-receiver down the stretch in the 2013 season. 24-17, win at The Citadel in the Paladins’ second Southern Conference game, which helped the Paladins turn around an inauspicious start after a 28-25 home loss to Elon. In the win over the Suttles’ first huge play for the Paladin offense came against The Citadel, as his 36-yard reception Bulldogs, he produced a 13-yard scoring run, which proved to be the game-winning points as on a long pass from Hannon helped set up a Paladin TD just before the half. Furman escaped the Port City with an important win over its arch-rival. Against Georgia Southern, Suttles would haul in a 75-yard halfback-option pass from running The third running back for the Paladins last season was Ernie Cain (24 rush att, 89 yds, 2 TDs, back Tanner Skogen (40 att., 206 yds., 2 TDs) on the first play from scrimmage, giving the 3.7 YPC), who will be coming off an ACL injury, which he suffered during spring drills, and his Paladins an early 7-0 lead in Statesboro, in a game they would go on to win, 16-14. immediate availability is an unknown. He continues in the long line of great Furman fullbacks and will be critical to the offensive success of the Paladins this fall. Cain also hauled in eight Suttles also exemplified his tremendous speed to the home faithful the following week in must- passes for 65 yards. win game against Samford, taking a short pass from Hannon and took it 85 yards for one of the longest scoring plays in the history of Paladin Stadium. Suttles would also haul in a TD pass in There are newcomers that could contribute in the running game for the Paladins as well this the Paladins’ final home game against Wofford, as he hauled in a 21-yard scoring catch in the season, including Kealand Dirks, Issac Garcia, Ridge Gibson and Charlie Anderson. All 27-13 win over the Terriers last season. four running backs are young, but could factor into the fold for Bruce Fowler’s Paladins this fall. Suttles will be the Paladins’ starter at flanker this fall and will likely enter the campaign as a Dirks and Garcia will be more true running backs, while Gibson and Anderson are fullback preseason First-Team All-SoCon selection. options behind Cain. All run with good power and have excellent size. Dirks is a 6-0, 228-pound redshirt freshman from Clemmons, N.C., where he starred at 4A West Forsyth High School. Two of the Paladins’ most talented wideouts battled injuries last fall, with Gary Robinson (24 During his career, Dirks put up some strong numbers, rushing for 3,462 yards and 31 TDs on 516 rec, 351 yds, 2 TDs, 14.6 YPR) and Jordan Snellings (30 rec, 302 yds, 1 TD, 10.1 YPR), who at attempts during his career. one point last season, were both injured at the same time. With the two expected to be fully healthy with the start of the 2014 season, Furman becomes even more dangerous offensively. Dirks garnered Winston Salem Journal All-Northwest honors as a senior, after rushing for 1,501 yards and 14 TDs on 248 carries in his senior season. Robinson has speed and can help stretch the field with that speed this fall for the Paladins. It started from the outset of the 2013 campaign for Robinson, who opened the campaign with Garcia comes to Furman from the Queen City of Charlotte, N.C., where he amassed a school-re- a 70-yard scoring catch against Gardner-Webb. In the win at The Citadel, Robinson was simply cord 7,000 all-purpose yards during his career at Olympic High School. The 5-10, 195-pound sensational for the Paladins and was a large reason why the Paladins were able to come home true freshman could factor into the special teams duty in the more immediate, as his speed will with a win in their first Southern Conference game last season by a 24-17 margin. make him an immediate playmaker and will give him a chance to see the field quickly in some capacity. In that win over the Paladins’ arch-rival last season, Robinson hauled in eight passes for a career-high 133 receiving yards, including an acrobatic 43-yard reception, as he dove to haul in He garnered first team South Meck 8 All-Conference honors in 2013 after rushing for 1,231 yards a Duncan Fletcher missile to help set up Tanner Skogen’s game-winning scoring run. Robinson, and six touchdowns. however, would go down with a season-ending ankle injury on the first play from scrimmage against Appalachian State. Anderson comes into the 2014 season having played sparingly for the Paladins last season, seeing action as a reserve guard before making the transition to backup fullback and tight in at For his career to this point, Robinson has hauled in 39 passes for 543 yards and a pair of scores mid-season. Anderson will be entering his redshirt junior season for the Paladins and will likely coming into his final campaign as the Paladins. find himself as Cain’s direct understudy this fall. Snellings is another Peach State product that had plenty of injury problems early in the season, Gibson rounds out the quartet of running backs that could contribute in some fashion for but started to be a big contributor for the Paladins as the season progressed. Furman this fall, as the 5-10, 211-pound true freshman from Marietta, GA, is yet another player that had a standout prep career at 6A Walton High School in Marietta. In the crucial 16-14 win at Georgia Southern, Snellings turned in some big catches, and after dropping what would have likely resulted in a long TD catch late in the game, Snellings A Detailed History of Furman Football rebounded to shake off that mishap and make some crucial grabs down the stretch to help defensive backfield. Furman capture a victory in Statesboro between the two teams in the final time the two would meet as FCS members. Jaeger, who comes to Furman from Lakeview High School in Orlando, FL. Jager’s father, Brian Jager, was an All-SoCon performer and played on the 1985 national runner-up Paladin squad, Snellings would finish the outing by hauling in two vital catches for 25 yards in the two-point while also helping lead the Paladins to a 13-2 record, led the club with 835 yards rushing and win, with one of those catches helping set up Early’s game-winning field goal. nine scores. Jager also got it done in the classroom, garnering CoSIDA Academic All-American, NCAA Post-Graduate Scholar twice in his career. A week later against Samford, Snellings would haul in a 46-yard scoring pass from running back Tanner Skogen, who tossed a perfect spiraling pass over the Samford defense to Snellings, The biggest question mark coming into the season for the Paladins has to be tight end, which who was running free behind the Bulldogs defense, and hauled in his first scoring catch of the sees the Paladins needing to replace starter Cameron Mason, who has graduated. The Paladins season, and he would finish the season with two catches for 52 yards and a TD. will also have to replace Gipson Klapthor, who is no longer with the program. It leaves the Paladins in a real bind. Despite being injured to start the campaign, he managed to finish the campaign third on the team in receptions (30 catches), trailing only Suttles (50 catches) and Culbreath (39 catches) to For a program known for its tight ends over the years, such as Colin Anderson, Luther Broughton complete the season. and Trent Sansbury, it has been a bit of a transition each of the past couple of years. Snellings would enjoy his top performance of the season against North Dakota State in the Fortunately, the Paladins appear to have a great athlete, in Duncan Fletcher, who appears season-ending, 38-7, loss to the Bison, as he hauled in a career-best eight passes for 76 yards. ready to assume the starting duties at tight end after serving as a backup quarterback last In two seasons as a Furman wideout, Snellings has hauled in 49 passes for 512 yards and four season. Fletcher, much like Colin Anderson, is an exceptional athlete, and like Anderson, also TDs. Snellings, at full health, has the potential to be one of the best receivers in the Southern played under center as a prep. Fletcher brings good size at 6-3, but is a little undersized in terms Conference. Snellings will likely start at the split end position, while Suttles will start at flanker of being a run-blocking tight end, at just 202-lbs. this fall. Kevin Mall and Tim Nutter also remain candidates to compete for playing time, with Mall The Paladins will also feature some excellent depth at wide receiver this fall, and are probably having seen limited action in five games last season. Nutter is a redshirt freshman from Saraso- as talented at the position as they have been in terms of overall depth and abiiity to stretch the ta, FL, will look to see his first action in the Paladin offense this fall. field. Both true freshmen Ajay Williams and Kedar Bryant are a pair of tight ends that can be One of the great things about the 2014 season will be the depth the Paladins will have at wide downfield threats and could see action right away as true freshmen this fall. Both Bryant and receiver heading into the season, including the return of performers like Chad Scott (8 rec, 92 Williams are big targets with both possessing good hands, as well as being solid blockers in the yds, 11.5 YPR) and David Dingess (9 rec, 100 yds, 11.1 YPR), who were all contributors in the run game. Paladin passing attack as reserves last fall. Williams matriculates to the Upstate of South Carolina from Elm City, N.C., where he was a Dingess, who was in his first season seeing action, was especially impressive for the Paladins, standout at 2A Beddingfield High School, where he also played some in the backfield, rushing as he showed to be a valuable asset as a downfield blocking presence and showed great for 566 yards. The 6-4, 241-pound Tarheel State product caught 39 passes 614 yards and seven hands, with several big receptions in third down situations last season. The redshirt junior from TDs, showing a propensity to make plays in the passing game as a prep. Nashville, Tenn, and his biggest catch of the season might have come on a third-and-eight play, which kept a Furman drive alive late in a win over Georgia Southern, ultimately allowing the Bryant, a 6-4, 230-pound native of Jacksonville, FL, played his prep football at Providence High Paladins to run out the clock and emerge with a 16-14 win. School and was productive catching the football while a prep in his senior season and showed his athleticism, as he saw time on both sides of the football. The 6-5, 208-pound receiver also had a key block to help spring Suttles for an 85-yard score against Samford, showing the lanky wideout isn’t scared to mix it up in the passing game as a Overall, one of the most talented and deepest positions on the offensive side of the football blocker. appears to wide receiver, and this group is as talented as some of those during the Ingle Martin era, which is a saying a lot considering that this was the one unit that lacked a consistent play- Scott, a 6-0, 171-pound native of Suwanee, GA, saw solid action as a sophomore receiver for the maker just two years ago. It’s a testament Paladins last fall, and recorded eight catches for 92 yards. Miller was one of the biggest signees to the recruiting efforts and maturing of of the 2012 class, choosing Furman over Appalachian State, and the Charlotte, N.C., native players like Robinson and Snellings, as well should also see his role increase as a reserve wideout this fall. as the addition of Suttles. The unit should only progress even more in 2014. Scott will likely find his role to be a reserve wideout behind Suttles at flanker, while Dingess will likely be the backup behind Snellings at flanker this fall. The one new wrinkle to keep an eye on Tight end is a bit of a question mark, and this fall is reserve quarterback Terry Robinson, who could also see action at wideout this fall, it’s the one position on the offensive side of due to his solid athleticism. the ball that will likely see a young player get the opportunity to play right away this The Paladins also brought in several talented wideouts in the most recent signing class, fall. Still, Fletcher is a great athlete, and he’s including A’lencio Graham, who seemed to be a solid Wofford commit until signing day. he the kind of player like a Colin Anderson that Flowery Branch High School product out of Lawrenceville, GA, has good speed, clocking a 4.52 in can come in and make some big plays in the forty-yard dash, and the 5-10, 161-pound receiver has great hands and route-running skills. the passing game for this Furman offense Graham has a lot of similarities to that of current Furman wide receiver Andre Suttles, and he in 2014, and that’s something the Paladins could see some time as a slot receiver, with his ability to make plays in the open field. lacked--at least in the passing game--last season. Graham isn’t the only key addition to the Paladin passing game, with the signing of Bradford Lemmons out of Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. The 6-3, 175-pound wideout blocks well The Furman offensive line was supposed and has good size and athleticism. to have four starters returning starters to its offensive front, however, with center The addition of Lemmons adds even more speed to a receiving corps that already possesses Eric Thoni no longer with the team, the plenty of it, with Suttles and Robinson among the speed merchants already donning the Purple Paladins not only lost Dakota Dozier to and White. Lemmons, who won the state title in both the 200m (22.12) and 400m (48.20), graduation and the NFL, but now must hauled in 60 passes for 670 yards in his senior season. Furman Senior C/OT Charles Emert replace what would have likely been an All-SoCon center entering the 2014 season. Furman also added a late signee to this current class, with the addition of Andy Schumpert, who makes his way to Greenville from Nashville, where he starred for Brentwood High School. It’s not anything the Paladins haven’t faced, however, as Furman played half the 2013 season without Thoni, who was suspended for the first portion of the campaign last season. The 6-4, 180-pound freshman brings impressive size, and like Dingess, will be a big target for Hannon to find in the passing game. In his prep career, Schumpert was impressive, hauling in 71 With Thoni no longer a Paladin, it likely means that senior Charles Emert will end up starting passes for 1,370 yards and 17 scores. He averaged 19.3 yards-per-catch for his career. at center this season, much like he did for three games last season. After all, Emert was a standout center as a prep, but has the versatility to play pretty much any position along the Rounding out the young receivers for the Paladins include Hunter Branch, Luke Cuneo, Paladin offensive front. Logan McCarter and J.D. Tuten. Evan Jaeger, who is listed as a an athlete, could also figure into the plans at receiver, while Cuneo could also end up playing a role as a reserve in the Entering the 2014 season, Emert has logged starts at center (3), right tackle (18), left tackle (3), A Detailed History of Furman Football right guard (3) and left guard (2) during his career, and the 6-2, 253-lb senior heads into his final campaign having started 30 of 34 games in his career. Furman 2014 Offense Pre-Season Depth Chart Emert has excellent footwork and hands, and probably moves as well as any of the Paladin offensive linemen. He will enter the 2014 season as a likely All-SoCon candidate. With Emert’s QB--REESE HANNON (Jr., 6-1, 195 lbs/ Greer High School) experience, however, the possibility also remains that he could move to left tackle, ensuring the Dillon Woodruff () protection of Hannon’s blindside. P.J. Blazejowski Faced with the unenviable task replacing maybe the greatest offensive lineman to ever line up for the for the Paladins could be the extremely talented redshirt freshman Aaron Black, who is RB/FB--HANK MCCLOUD (Sr., 5-9, 190 lbs/Tampa Catholic School, Tampa, FL) a talented young offensive lineman that probably could have contributed last season. Black was one of the top recruits of the 2013 signing class, and the 6-5, 261-lb native of Dallas, GA was Tanner Skogen (5-11, 197 lbs/Woodstock High School/Woodstock, GA) a three-star recruit, according to Rivals.com when he arrived at Furman a couple of years ago. Ernie Cain () Black served as a member of the scout team last fall, but shined in spring drills and is ready to compete for the job left vacant by Dozier. SE--Jordan Snellings With Emert’s move to center, it could see Justin Floyd take up the starting role at either right or left tackle, assuming Tank Phillips is 100-percent and ready to return to his left guard position after seeing his season come to an end with a broken leg suffered in the road win at Western Carolina.

Floyd, a redshirt junior, really came into his own last season after logging starts at both right and left tackle. He turned in his top performance against Appalachian State, grading out at 85-percent, with eight knockdowns in one of his four starts last season. Three of his starts came at right tackle, while one came at left tackle last fall. His lone start at left tackle last fall came against North Dakota State, which saw Dozier start at left guard. Left guard this season will be occupied by Phillips, who should be fully healed by the time the season rolls around, and the veteran from Montgomery Bell Academy might be the strongest player along the offensive front for the Paladins, and will enter the season with All-SoCon potential. The 6-1, 290-pound native of Nashville, started the first 11 games for the Paladins last season before being lost to injury against Western Carolina. Graded out at 80-percent or better in four games last season, with a season-high 82-percent on 61 plays in the 21-20 win over Presbyteri- an. He enters his senior season with 18-career starts for the Purple and White. Rounding out the starters along the Furman offensive front heading into the season will be right guard Joe Turner, who as a freshman in 2012, was a SoCon All-Freshman selection. Turner has been a stalwart along the offensive front since stepping on campus in 2012, and he has been an integral part of offensive line coach Scott Smouse’s plans from the outset of his recruitment. The 6-3, 260-lb junior, like Emert, is extremely versatile and is athletic enough to play tackle if the situation called for it. Turner started all 14 games at both guard positions, logging 12 nods at right guard, while the other two came at left tackle after Phillips went down with his season-ending injury. Turner was extremely impressive against arguably the top defensive front the Paladins faced last season, in Chattanooga, as he registered a 93-percent grade on 67 plays against the Mocs. In his two seasons as a Paladin, Turner has started 22 starts in 25 games at three different positions in his Paladin career. Furman’s offensive front will be strengthened by solid depth this fall, which will include the likes of Harrison Monk (OT), Harrison Magee (OT) and Jackson Buomania, who are all excellent young, talented compliments along the offensive line, who are expected to be significant contributors this fall. Grayson Weber (OT), Sebastian Rice (OT) and Ryan Marks (OT) will add depth at the re- spective offensive tackle positions. Rice and Buomania make the move back from the defensive line to the offensive line this fall after being moved there last season to shore up depth issues as a result of injuries. Magee could serve as Emert’s understudy at center this fall. The Paladins really made it a point to recruit the offensive line hard in its most recent signing class, and have brought in an excellent conglomeration of talent. Tuscaloosa, AL product Terrell Bush comes to Furman from Tuscaloosa Academy, where he helped his program to a perfect 13-0 season, garnering all-state honors twice and rated a two-star recruit, according to 24/7. Jack Bryant, Matthew Schmidt and Chris Wade round out the remaining three interior offensive linemen picked up by the Paladins in the 2014 class, in what might be the strongest offensive line class in the Bruce Fowler era. Overall, the Paladins have excellent experience and talent returning along the offensive front, but the most important component the Paladins continue to build on the offensive line is depth, which is something the Paladins lacked in Fowler’s first season in Greenville. The offensive line has improved leaps and bounds under the watchful eye of Scott Smouse over the past three seasons, and despite the losses of Dozier and Thoni, appear to again be one of the top offensive fronts in the SoCon heading into the 2014 season. The Furman Defense:A Detailed History of Furman Football The second-highest total in a three-year span came from 2006-08, which saw the Paladins Furman’s defense in 2013 wouldn’t seem that it was one that was dominant, and record 69 QB sacks. The third most came during the Bobby Johnson era, which saw the Paladins one glance at the stats would back up that claim. However, it should be noted the Paladins were post 66 sacks from 1995-97, which of course coincided with the Dailer years. aggressive and physical on that side of the football, as the Paladins ranked ninth nationally in turnover margin last season (+0.9). The ability to get pressure with your front four is so vital to any team that hopes to make a run at a national title, and this season, the Paladins have the ability to do that, and not only that, The Paladins certainly didn’t put up the Paladins have depth and athleticism, despite the kind of numbers that would strike once again being a bit undersized. fear in opponents last season, but it’s a defense that returns nine starters, and The transition of Wilkins to the defensive front should certainly be the strength of the a couple of years ago was a huge boon for the team this fall. defense, and Wilkins, who was the team’s most athletic linebacker, parlayed those talents into The biggest drawback for the Paladins becoming the teams most dominant pass-rush- entering the 2014 season is not ing threat. having nickel back Jairus Hollman--an All-Southern Conference selection Other than Chattanooga’s Davis Tull, the and a player that allowed the Paladins argument could certainly be made that Wilkins to make a run at the league title last is just behind Tull in terms of being the best at season, single-handedly winning a his position in the SoCon and perhaps one of the pair of games, with a blocked field goal best in the nation. helping the Paladins to a 21-20 win over Presbyterian, and then helped the The last defensive end that you could legitimate- Paladins get a win over South Carolina ly make that claim that suited up for the Purple State, returning a school-record punt and White was Bryan Dailer back in 1997. 90 yards for a score and then sealed the win with a 34-yard INT return for a Where Wilkins does have an edge on Tull is Senior DE Ira McCune score--who was kicked off the team for overall athleticism, whereas Tull might be a little a violation of school policy. more powerful by just bull-rushing the tackle. Senior DE Gary Wilkins Wilkins is so quick and athletic that he causes The Paladins are coming of a 2013 season in which they ranked 44th in scoring defense (24.3 nightmares for plenty of left tackles around the PPG), 75th in total defense (404.6 YPG), 89th in rush defense (197.0 YPG) and 44th against the SoCon. pass (204.6 YPG)–but you have to only glance at one number that tells the story of Furman’s defense in 2013, and that number is turnover margin (+0.9). Wilkins is one of the most athletic players on the Furman defense, and no one will soon forget his 98-yard interception return for a score in the Paladins’ 27-10 win over Appalachian State last The strength of the Paladin defense is probably its front seven, and much credit has to go to season, changing the complexion of that football game as well as the season as a whole. Wilkins defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey, who has taken a defensive front and made it one of the will be just one part of what should be an exceptional tandem of defensive ends this fall. more dominant units in the SoCon coming into the 2014 season. Lindsey was also largely responsible for building the monster of a defensive line that Chattanooga has had over the past The best news for the Paladin defense this season will be the return of defensive end Shawn couple of years. Boone, who saw his season end prematurely last fall after suffering a knee injury in the To get an idea of just how dominant Lindsey’s line has been, one only has to look at a pair of lead-up to the Presbyterian game in week games over the past couple of seasons. The Elon game in 2012 saw the Paladins register seven two. Boone and Wilkins comprise what could sacks, and in the Appalachian State game last season, fans just saw how athletic a guy like quite possibly be the most athletic defensive defensive end Gary Wilkins (79 tackles, 13 TFL, 5.5 Sacks, 4 PBU, 1 INT, 1 TD) was. Wilkins end tandem in the history of Furman football. is a next-level player, and reminds me of former South Carolina Gamecock All-American Eric It’s certainly a pass-rush tandem that has the Norwood, who played both defensive end and outside LB in Ellis Johnson’s defense. potential to challenge Chattanooga as one of the top tandems in the Southern Conference, Wilkins’ 98-yard INT return for a score, in which he hurdled Mountaineer wideout Andrew and perhaps even nationally. Peacock was one of the highlights of the season for the Paladins. Boone looked a step quicker and seemed to be Folks that show up on Saturdays at Paladin Stadium, and the ones that have been fans since vocally asserting himself as one of the leaders the days of domination during the late 1980s and early ‘90s, remember the great ones like Chris of what should be one of the more talented Roper, Ryan Livezey and Kelly Fletcher are all players that bring back fond memories for the Furman defenses in quite sometime. Paladins. Boone is an All-SoCon caliber defensive end, Since those days, there have been flashes of some good defensive line play, especially in the late and is one of the more athletically gifted 1990s, with guys like Brian Connor and Bryan Dailer, who would go on to become one of the members of that Paladin defensive line. In his greatest defensive ends to ever play at Furman and in the SoCon. Paladin career, Boone has been an integral part of the Furman defense during his career, Dailer would finish his career tied for the most sacks in school history with 35.5 sacks in his having posted a total of 8.5 sacks in his Furman career, while his seven sacks in a single game in his final game as a Paladin in 1997 ranks career. as a Southern Conference single-game record and is one of the most dominating defensive Senior DE Shawn Boone performances. The highlight of Boone’s career, of course, came back during his freshman season in 2010, tipping a Stephen Garcia pass up in the air and The line that included LeBryan Sperling and Brandon Poole was solid in the early 2000’s, and intercepting it and managing to find his way into the end zone in the third quarter, and that’s then Roy Ravenell anchored a strong unit back in 2004. Wallace Artis was the lynchpin of a solid when things between Furman No. 13 South Carolina got interesting before the Paladins would pass-rushing front in 2007, which ended the season leading the Southern Conference leading eventually drop a 38-19 decision at Williams-Brice Stadium. the league in sacks, but until the arrival of Bruce Fowler and his staff, the Paladins have had trouble getting to the quarterback. Boone’s injury would turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Ira McCune (47 tackles, 8 TFL, 2.5 Sacks, 4 FR), who made the move from the interior defensive line to the bookend position, as he However, in the three seasons in which Fowler has been the head coach of the Paladins, the would bolster the Paladin defensive front with his quickness and athleticism. He would not be Paladins have recorded a combined 64 sacks in three seasons, which is the fourth most in a Boone, but he would add the kind of physical power and a bit more size on the edge that that three-season period since sacks have been tallied starting back in the early 1980’s. actually ended up benefitting the Paladin one-two pass-rushing punch. The most sacks in a three-year span, in case you were wondering, happened back in those He would become one of the most important players on the defensive side of the football last glory years from 1988-90, which saw the Paladins get to the quarterback a whopping 90 times, season for the Paladins, as he recovered a pair of fumbles, as well as causing one, in the Paladins’ averaging 30 QB takedowns per season. crucial, 16-14, win at Georgia Southern to begin the final month of the regular-season. His second fumble at the Georgia Southern 45, sealed the win for the Paladins. A Detailed History of Furman Football With McCune adding adding strong play at Jackson, who comes to Furman from Tallahassee, FL, and the Florida State University school, defensive end, along with Shawn Boone, where he was a two-star recruit coming to Furman, according to rivals.com. The 6-2, 254-pound the trio of the aforementioned duo, along Jackson played both defensive end and offensive tackle during his prep career. In his junior and with the All-America candidate Wilkins, the senior seasons combined, Jackson registered 71 tackles, six TFLs and 5.5 sacks. Paladins have three athletes that have the The final true freshman signed by the Paladins this past February isDaniel Butler, who’s a potential to be game-changers. talented, 6-4, 265-lb native out of Enterprise, AL--a region Furman has recruited extremely well The most improved aspect of the Furman since Bobby Lamb was the head coach at Furman--is a player who will also likely redshirt this defense from 2012-2013 was the defensive fall, and was a two-star recruited, according to both Rivals.com and 24/7sports. tackle posiion, where John Mackey (58 tackles, 1 FF) and Jordan Hawkins (22 Butler played primarily defensive tackle and nose guard during his prep career at Enterprise tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 FF), who will comprise High School. the remainder of what should be the an outstanding defensive line for the upcom- He helped Enterprise to a pair of 7-5 records each of the past two campaigns, and posted ing campaign. 47 tackles, six tackles for-loss, two sacks, one fumble recovery, three caused fumble, and 11 quarterback pressures as a senior. Mackey is coming off a solid season, and has been a key asset in the middle of that Butler is another player that will have a chance to carve out a spot in the depth chart along Paladin defense. The 6-0, 285-lb native the depth chart, but the reality of it is, Okonya and Reid are likely the only recruits along the of Chattanooga, Tenn, had his best game defensive line that won’t redshirt, although with the talent recruited the past couple of seasons, against Coastal Carolina, posting six tackles the effort will be made to redshirt the past two seasons. Like Reid, Butler will likely end up at and two tackles-for-loss. defensive tackle, but can play either position along the defensive front. Hawkins was called into action as a result Elliott has a chance to be a breakout player as a reserve along the defensive front for the of the injuries along the defensive line, Paladins this fall as a reserve along the and as a true freshman last season, did an Defensive Tackle John Mackey defensive front. Elliott is as athleticially outstanding job of stepping in and filling talented and I think is a player that in the gap left in the Furman defensive line after the move of Ira McCune from the defensive will remind Furman of former Paladin interior to defensive end. defensive end Ryan Livezy, and the 6-2, 227-pound product of Christ Presbyterian Hawkins would enjoy good outings against both Georgia Southern and Chattanooga last season, Academy--coached by former Furman posting three tackles, a sack and forced a fumble against the Mocs, and a forced fumble against quarterback and Hall-of-Fame QB Ingle the Mocs. He posted a season-high four tackles in the win over the Eagles. Martin--is expected to see plenty of action at defensive end this fall. The depth on the defensive line should be solid this fall, with players like Danny Palmer (8 tackles, 1.0 sack, 1 FR), Brian Ross (7 tackles, 2.0 sacks), and Brad Minter (8 tackles) will Over the years, the Furman linebacking comprise the depth along the Furman defensive front heading into the 2014 season. All three corps has been known for excellence, are expected to compete for plenty of playing time this fall, with Palmer providing depth at the and in terms of turning out linebackers, nose tackle position. no team in the Southern Conference has turned out as much talent at the position, All three are eager to prove themselves this fall, with Minter, Ross and Palmer all adding year-in and year-out over the past three outstanding depth to the defensive front, which is something Furman hasn’t had the luxury of decades. having in past seasons on either the offensive or defensive lines. There was a bit of a lull at the position, The Paladins are rich in the talent reservoir in young defensive ends, with redshirt freshmen however, just prior to the arrival of head Brian Nwokolo and James Elliott expected to come into the team this season and add depth coach Bruce Fowler, but even then, there and even more athleticism to an already athletic defensive front. Jaylan Reid, a true freshman, were players like Andrew Jones and Kadarron Anderson were there during might be the most highly-acclaimed addition to the defensive line, and will likely line up on the All-SoCon Linebacker Carl Rider defensive interior this fall. some of the lean years--both All-SoCon performers and among the top quarter- Though talented, expected true freshman defensive end Connor Jackson out of Tallahassee, backs in the SoCon during their respective careers as Paladins. FL, will probably redshirt this season. A player talented enough to play this season, but will also likely redshirt is Chinedu Okonya was a high-prized recruit and has the talent to play this fall, However, the last truly great trio of linebackers for the Paladins, truth be told, was back in 2004, but like Jackson, and with so much depth already at defensive end, will likely redshirt this fall. which featured the likes of Mike Killian, Gary Nelson and William Freeman. he top player on the defensive side of the football is Cobb County Touchdown Club Defensive This season, however, the Paladins have a linebacking corps that would rival any program in Lineman of the Year Jaylan Reed, who is one of four strong signees on the defensive line that the FCS. Both Carl Rider (136 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 FR, 1 INT) and Cory Magwood (77 could see time as a contributor up front this fall. tackles, 2.5 TFL, 2 FFs) return to the fold as the main linebackers for the Paladins heading into the 2014 season. Rider, a 6-2, 214-lb junior from Suwanee, GA, was a postseason and preseason Reid has excellent athleticism and he is yet another signee out of Hillgrove High School. A 5-11, First-Team All-Southern Conference selection. 266-pound native of Marietta, GA, will be a bit bigger defensive end if he end up playing that position, but will likely end up at defensive tackle. Rider totaled a team-leading 136 tackles in his first season patrolling the middle of the Paladin defense. That tackles total recorded by Rider last season, and returns as the SoCon’s leading Furman picked up a diamond in the rough with the signing of Reid, who was a two-star recruit, tackler. Rider had several standout games for the Paladins last fall, recording double-digit tackle and racked up 94 tackles, 16 TFLs and seven sacks. He could end up playing end or some tackle performances on eight occasions last season, including each of the final three games. at Furman, but is too talented to completely keep off the field this season. Rider’s best performance for the Paladins came in a 31-9 loss at league co-champion Chattanoo- The other talented signee along the defensive front for the Paladins is Okonya, who is another ga, as he registered 16 tackles and a pair of sacks. signee along the defensive line, and like Reid, is an exceptional athlete. Unlike Reid, Okonya will play exclusively at defensive end and is more accustomed to the type of defensive lineman that Rider will be at the center of the 4-2-5 Furman defense, but he won’t be the only linebacker the Paladins have recruited over the past few years, which is the leaner more athletic type of with all-conference potential in the Paladin linebacking corps this fall. Magwood, a Varnville, defensive line product. S.C., native out of Wade Hampton High School, is a great athlete and the 6-1, 216-lb started in six of 12 games in which he played in last season. The 6-1, 215-pound native of Riverdale, GA, playing his prep football at Riverdale High School. According to 24/7 sports, Okonya is a two-star recruit from Riverdale High School, finishing out The junior linebacker garnered Southern Conference Player of the Week honors following his his senior season with 66 tackles, 19 TFLs and seven sacks as a senior. Having seen Okonya in performance against Wofford in the regular-season finale, as he would record a career-high 16 several clips, Paladin fans have a lot to be excited about in years to come. tackles and half-a-tackle-for-loss. Magwood’s performance matched a season high recorded by a Paladin linebacker. He will play the weakside linebacker position for the Paladins this fall. Jackson, whose brother plays at Samford, making for a sibling rivalry and a nice back story when the Paladins suit up against the Bulldogs later in the season. The Paladins come into the season with good depth at linebacker, and another all-conference A Detailed History of Furman Football and potential All-America candidate that INTs over the past three campaigns, with () of those returned for TDs, including four last season. can play either outside linebacker or nick- el, as preseason First Team All-Southern The aforementioned Marcus McMorris could be the anchor of the unit this fall, but the Paladins Conference selection Marcus McMorris must replace a pair of players from its secondary, including losing one of their most valuable (113 tackles, 9.0 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR, 2 INTs, 1 playmakers, in Jairus Hollman, who was removed from the team in early June after a violation TD) returns as another veteran on what of school policy. Hollman’s All-Southern Conference numbers were no doubt impressive, as the should be a very talented front seven for team’s nickel back last season. Hollman played a large role in at least two of the Paladin wins the Paladin defense. last fall, returning a punt a school-record 90 yards for a score, while also returning an INT 34 yards for a score in the Paladins’ first postseason win since 2005, as Furman knocked off South But McMorris not only has experience Carolina State, 30-20, in the opening round of the playoffs. Hollman also blocked a potentinal at linebacker, he also boasts extensive game-winning field goal, in helping Furman knock off Presbyterian, 21-20. experience in the secondary, and he might be more needed in that area this season, All told, Hollman will definitely be missed, after he posted 105 tackles, 11.5 TFL, a sack, , three with Jairus Hollman no longer with the INTs, four pass breakups, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery last fall. Paladin football team. McMorris’ ability to play either position makes him a versatile But the Paladins adopted a motto last season that served them well during their championship asset to the Paladin defense. run of 2013--that motto was “the next man up.” And the next man up happens to be a pretty good one, as that position will likely fall to Richard Hayes III. He’s the leading playmaker on the Paladin defense, and he had three double-digit With Furman having so many injury issues at quarterback last season, the athletic true freshman tackle games last fall, with two of those All-SoCon Safety/LB Marcus McMorris from the Gate City of Greensboro, N.C., shined in his limited role under center, which he played double-digit tackle performances came in while he was at Dudley High School, but now Hayes III will be lining up in the defensive back- the final three games of the season for the Paladins, recording 12 stops against Wofford in the field, where he was originally recruited to play when he signed with Furman in 2013. The 5-11, regular-season finale, and posted 11 stops against South Carolina State. 180-lb sophomore will certainly be in the mix to start in the Paladin secondary this fall, and if not, he will see his fair share of work on the defensive side of the ball for the Paladins. In the 35-17 win over Samford, McMorris garnered Sports Network National Player of the Week honors after recording 11 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an 89-yard INT return The Paladins must also replace safety Greg Worthy--one of the best athletes in recent memory for a score to help Furman continue its late-season surge. in the secondary for the Paladins--as well as starting cornerback Austin Williams. For his career so far in the Purple and White, McMorris has been sensational, registering 161 Like Hollman, Worthy was an important piece in the secondary last season, seemingly making tackles, 12.0 TFL, 10 passes defended, three fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, four INTs and one big play after another when Furman needed a game-changing play, including a forced three TDs each of the past two seasons, with two of those INT returns in excess of 80 yards. fumble late in the half against Wofford, which turned the tide of the game, paving the way for 27 unanswered points to help Paladins overcome a 14-0 deficit and claim a 13th Southern There is talent in the ranks at linebacker as well, including T.J. Warren (45 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1.0 Conference title. sack, 2 PBU, 1 FR) and Nic McBride will be two of those reserves at linebacker this fall. Warren came up big for the Paladins, especially in the game at The Citadel, in which injuries would Although not an All-SoCon performer like Hollman and Worthy, Williams, who started at corner- plague the Paladins at linebacker, and Warren, a native of Chattanooga, Tenn, would come in back alongside 2014 preseason All-SoCon selection Reggie Thomas (57 tackles, 2 INTs, 3 PBUs, and garner SoCon Player of the Week honors. 1 TD), he will also be missed from this Paladin secondary heading into the 2014 season. Williams finished the 2013 season with 59 tackles, 6 PBUs and a pair of INTs. In the game against the Bulldogs, he posted seven tackles, 3.0 TFL and a sack in the SoCon-opening, 24-17, win over The Citadel at Johnson-Hagood Stadium. He also posted a Thomas was one of Fowler’s first recruits when he took over the job in 2010, as he was apart of season-high 11 tackles back in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tenn in the 31-9 loss to the Mocs. the 2012 recruiting class. The Abbeville, S.C, native burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2012, and has solidified the starting job at one of the corner positions for the Paladins ever since. The 6-2, 202-pound redshirt sophomore could compete to start alongside Rider this fall, and is a good enough talent to find himself right in the thick of the rotation at linebacker this fall for the Thomas had to follow in the footsteps in one of the greatest to ever suit up for the Paladins at Paladins, if he doesn’t end up in the starting rotation at linebacker for the Paladins. cornerback, in Ryan Steed. In Thomas’ two seasons, he’s writing his own script McBride was a member of the scout team last season, but the 6-2, 202-lb native of Lyons, GA, as one of the Paladin greats at corner- and he came to Furman as a two-star recruit according to Scout.com. During his time at Vidalia back, having recorded 80 tackles, 4.0 High School, McBride racked up 98 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, three sacks, caused a pair of TFL, four picks, which included a 74-INT fumbles and recorded five INTs during his senior season. return for a score against LSU, which gave Furman an early, 7-0, lead over the Another contributor as a reserve at linebacker this fall for the Paladins could be Byron Johnson Bayou Bengals. (8 tackles), who is coming off a solid spring for the Paladins. The 6-1, 212-lb sophomore native of Swansea, S.C.--a city that also produced 2004 SoCon Defensive Player of the Year and line- With Thomas starting at one corner, the backer William Freeman--Johnson is an excellent athlete and runs well from sideline-to-side- real question heading into fall camp is line. who will start at the other cornerback position heading in fall camp, and it Other linebackers that could figure into the mix this fall could beDru Duke, Preston Furry, should produce one of the more intrigu- Jacob Powell and Zach Thier are all young ing positional battles heading into camp. linebackers looking to break into the two-deep this fall, although Thier, Bryant and Duke could Two of those young corners that figure to end up redshirting. Thier is a second gener- be in the mix to stake claim to the vacant ation Paladin football player, as his father, starting Jamarri Milliken (19 tackles, 1 Jay Thier, was an All-Southern Conference FF) and Nick Miller (5 tackles, 1 INT). linebacker at Furman from 1994-97. Milliken heads into camp primed to be Over the years, Furman has had some truly a big contributor in the secondary this great defensive backs, with names like John Free Safety Trey Robinson fall for the Paladins. Milliken saw action Keith, Ryan Steed and going all the way back in all 14 games for the Paladins last fall, to Vince Perone. Since taking over the head and is one of the bigger hitters in the secondary. coaching post in December of 2010, Bruce Fowler, who served in the role of coaching Miller also saw limited action in the lineup for the Paladins at defensive back last fall, and the defensive backs during his days as a defensive 5-9, 164-lb, sophomore from Kennesaw, GA, had an acrobatic INT on a fake punt in last season’s coordinator at Furman in the mid-late 1990’s, 27-14 win over Wofford, which helped clinch Furman’s 13th Southern Conference title last fall. and prior to that, it was Fowler’s primary role on the defensive side of the ball. Other young prospects that could figure into the two-deep at cornerback heading into the 2014 season could be redshirt freshman Donovan Franks, who hails from Altamonte Springs, FL, as Over the past three seasons under the watchful All-SoCon CB Reggie Thomas well as a pair of true freshmen hoping to compete for a spot on the depth chart as well, in Trent eye of Fowler, the Paladins have registered 32 A Detailed History of Furman Football Silfiesand Parker Polhill. The Paladins have had some good fortunes with place-kicking and punting over the years, with Another interesting battle that will take place during fall camp will be at safety, with one of the some truly great place-kickers and punters over the past few years, with the likes of Danny spots being occupied by Trey Robinson (41 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1 INT), who played quarterback at Marshall and punters like Lee Willis and Ingle Martin coming to mind. Dorman High School before making the transition to safety when he got to Furman. Robinson, a 6-1, 202-lb, sophomore from Spartanburg, S.C., is set to start this fall at free safety, should What made Early so unique is that he could do both and he did both with such precision and McMorris make the permanent move to nickel and outside linebacker. Robinson is physical equal proficiency, and after having a bit of a lull during his sophomore season, Early really and athletic, and his lanky, athletic frame in the secondary might remind some Paladin fans of picked it up during his senior season and was a big reason why the Paladins polished a league former standout Nathan Wade. standard 13th Southern Conference title in 2013. Robinson came up big for the Paladins in the win over No. 20 Samford last fall, as he had one But now the Paladins must replace an All-American talent at both place-kicker and punter. acrobatic interception and nearly had another, which turned into an beautiful pass break-up. He These two position battles might be the most important of fall camp, but the Paladins have turned in his most impressive performance in the playoff win at South Carolina State, where he gone out and signed some excellent players over the past couple of years. recorded nine tackles, with eight of those tackles being solo stops. He played in all 14 games, with four starts. The Palmetto State might yet again yield a gem for the Paladins at place-kicker, with the addition of Greenwood High School product Jon C. Hollingsworth. Thomas Brown (1 tackle) and Rodney Anderson (12 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 PBU) return as solid candidates to find their way into the depth charter, either as starter at strong safety, or backup The optimism about Hollingsworth is similar to that of the Paladin coaching staff when Early behind Robinson at the free safety spot. committed to Fuman in 2010, and though the Paladins had to replace the experienced Matthew Cesari, the Paladin coaching staff was giddy with the addition of Early, which is much the same Anderson is an extremely physical player, and the 5-10, 182-lb redshirt junior, is known as sentiment they held with the signing of Hollinsworth back in February. one of the team’s biggest hitters, and delivered a memorable hit near the S.C. State sidelines on a punt return in last season’s 30-20 playoff win over the Bulldogs. Anderson was mostly a Hollingsworth was instrumental in Greenwood High School’s success over the past three years, contributor on special teams last fall, and could play a role in that capacity as well this fall. helping the program to a 36-6 record as the placekicker and punter. During his prep career, con- nected on 9-of-12 kicks, including going 7-for-10 as a senior. He was a two-time All-Lakelands Brown is a promising, young talent, who was effective wehn called upon in the Paladin selection as a punter and is poised to compete to step into both roles this fall. secondary last season. Brown served as Worthy’s understudy at strong safety last season, and will likely have a chance to step into that very role on the defensive side of the football this fall The competition for the starting job for Hollingsworth will come from another Upstate product, for the Paladins. in Hunter Townes. The Greenville, S.C. product is a redshirt sophomore and after posting a successful high school career at both quarterback and kicker at Christ Church Episcopal School in Last season, the 6-0, 200-lb, redshirt sophomore from Seneca, S.C., saw action in 12 of 14 Greenville, as he passed for over 3,500 yards and 46 TDs, while rushing for over 500 yards and 12 games for the Paladins, and like Anderson, contributed primarily as a member of the special scores under center, while leading CCES to a 13-1 record and a 1-A state title. teams unit. In the Shrine Bowl (North Carolina vs. South Carolina all-star game) in 2012, he connected on There are several young performers that could step in and contribute at strong safety this fall for field goals of 42 and 27 yards in the South’s resounding 42-3 win over the North. Hollingsworth, the Paladins. One of those young players that has a chance to be a special one on the defensive Townes and Andy McMilan will also compete to take on the punting responsibilities this fall. side of the football in the future in the defensive backfield isAntonio Wilcox, who is one of the real gems of the 2014 signing class for Furman. The good news for the special teams is the return of Danny LaMontagne as the Paladins’ long- snapper--often an overlooked area of every football team overlooked, and LaMontagne is one of Wilcox is probably another player that wasn’t on most people’s radar for the Paladins’ recruiting the best in the SoCon, getting down the field to make plays, with a pair of tackles and who will board, but he is perhaps the steal of the class. The 6-2, 190-pound native of Fitzgerald, GA, is a soon forget that fumble recovery against LSU last season just before the half. tremendous athlete and vicious hitter at safety, and played both sides of the football, rushing for 566 yards and two TDs as a running back, while posting 46 tackles, two interceptions, and After averaging 23.3 yards-per-return last season, Hank McCloud, which helped McCloud rank three fumble recoveries as a safety on the defensive side of the football. Wilcox will likely find fifth in the SoCon in all-purpose yards last season, with 1,762 yards, which included 536 return himself more of a fit at free safety. yards. McCloud recorded a season-long 44-yard kick return against The Citadel last season. Another young talent in the Furman secondary that could see some action this fall is true The only special teams return for a score was recorded by the league’s second-leading punt freshman strong safety Joe Farrar. Farrar, registered time at corner, safety, quarterback and return man, Jairus Hollman, who of course is no longer with the program, recorded a school-re- safety. An excellent all-around athlete, Farrar, will have a chance to compete for a starting job cord 90-yard punt return for a score against S.C. State last season. Hollman’s 11.8 YPR last right away. season ranked second to only Samford’s All-American return man Fabian Truss, who averaged 14.8 per return last fall. During his senior season, the Antwan Randle-El type athlete helped Tucker High School st a 14-1 record and state runner-up finish, passing for over 1,000 yards and rushing for 722 yards as a Candidates to assume the punt return responsibilities this fall could be Andrej Suttles or one of senior. Farrar is very similar to the type of athlete that Richard Hayes III, who came in and was a the two Robinson brothers. huge boost to the Paladin offense in the wildcat when there were injury issues on the offensive side of the ball under center. Furman’s youth at kicker and punter will be one of the elements to keep an eye on early in the campaign, and the quicker the Paladins get the kinks worked out in that area, the quicker they Hunter Tremaine (1 tackle), Reeves Rodgers and newcomers Brad Meccariello, Mike have a chance to be more than just a threat to win the Southern Conference title this fall. Sharpe and Stuart Smith could also figure into the depth chart at one of the two safety positions this fall. The Paladins appear to be well stocked with talent at safety and defensive Furman’s prospects in 2014 are pretty clear--nothing less than a Southern Conference title back heading into the 2014 season. will do--but in talking with coach Bruce Fowler recently, he’s a coach that never thinks that far ahead, and in that respect, he reminds me a lot of Davidson basketball coach Bob McKillop, The Furman Special Teams And Final Thoughts On 2014: which is not bad company to have. The Furman fan perspective and the players even, which is to expect a Southern Conference title While Furman’s losses on the offensive and defensive sides of the football can after last season’s run, is to naturally work towards that goal. But coaches like Fowler and McK- best be described as minimal, the same cannot be said for the Furman special teams, which illop never worry about what’s at the end, or even look what could be at the end of a journey graduated one of the placekickers to ever suit up for the Paladins, in Darlington, S.C., native Ray until actually doing all the neccessary things to reach that given destination, or in Fowler’s case, Early. he and the Paladins might just end up there before they realize it. Early’s senior campaign was sensational to cap what was already an outstanding career. His The concern had not even shifted to the season opener against Gardner-Webb when I spoke with Fowler late in the summer, but it was just about getting in camp and making his team 249-career kick points ranking third all-time in program history in kick scoring, and his six field better men first, but also, individually better football players. Though he didn’t say it, I got the goals in a 32-20 win at Western Carolina helped him put his name atop the Paladin single game feeling he really believed this team has the potential to be special, and I think he’s approaching field goals mark, eclipsing the five connected on by former Paladin great Glen Connally in 1990 the season with much guarded optimism. in a win at East Tennessee State. The six field goals by Early against the Catamounts also tied a Southern Conference record. One thing is a given. Furman must be better offensively this fall, and while it might be able to duplicate the turnover ratio and rank as one of the top programs in the nation in turnover Early’s 20 field goals in the 2013 season were the most in a single season in school history, as margin once again, it would be hard to imagine the Paladins getting five of those turnovers he eclipsed the previous standard of 18 field goals in a single-season, surpassing the previous returned for scores this fall. standard set by Mike Wood. He finished 43-for-59 on field goals for his career, including a That being said, Furman was pretty good offensively when Reese Hannon was healthy last fall. perfect mark of 4-for-4 from 50-plus yards in his standout career. Not many teams have had to play five QBs in a given season like FU was forced to do in 2013.