Know Your Foe: Furman Paladins
Record: 2-1 (0-0 SoCon)
2024 record: 3-8
Last week: W at Campbell, 31-28
Head Coach: Clay Hendrix (9th season)
Last meeting: Furman W, 28-21 (2023)
Betting: Furman -12.5, O/U 56.5
TV: ESPN+
Kick off time: 2:30pm CT
Fun Fact: Samford leads the all-time series vs Western Carolina 13-4
The Samford offense last week against Western Carolina returned back to Hatch Attack form putting up 576 yards of total offense with 35 points. Samford QB Quincy Crittendon had a career day throwing for 456 yards and three touchdowns. Former Western Carolina WR Calvin Jones had 108 receiving yards and all three of those touchdowns.
That is more of what the Samford offense used to look like.
However, the Samford defense regressed dramatically allowing 733 yards of total offense as the Catamounts moved Samford to 0-4 after the 50-35 win. Western QB Taron Dickens, who was playing his first game after being academically ineligible, was lights out against Samford with 582 passing yards and six touchdowns.
Dickens just had nine incompletions and showed zero signs of rust following the three-game suspension. He carved up the Samford defense like a Thanksgiving turkey en route to the Catamounts’s first win of 2025.
Now Samford returns home to take on the Furman Paladins who are coming off of their bye week. Furman could easily be 0-3 as both of their wins are by a one score margin. Samford and Furman did not get to play last season due to the effects of Hurricane Helene.
Can the Samford defense get back on track against a good offense of the Paladins? Will the Samford offense continue to build on the confidence and yards from last week? Below is where Furman sits in some offensive categories and key players.
Offensive Stats
PPG: 29.7 (3rd in SoCon)
Total YPG: 330.3 (6th)
Pass YPG: 252 (4th)
Rush YPG: 78.3 (4th)
Offensive Key Players
QB #8 Trey Hedden: 73% completion, 756 pass yards, 4 TDs, 4 INTs
RB #6 Gavin Hall: 43 att, 151 rush yards, 2 TDs
RB #28 Jayquan Smith: 17 att, 51 rush yards, 3 TDs
WR #16 Evan James: 25 rec, 291 yards, 2 TDs
WR: #9 Ja’Keith Hamilton: 13 rec, 160 yards, TD
Now here is where Furman sits in defensive categories and key players on that side of the ball.
Defensive Stats
Opp PPG: 28 (4th in SoCon)
Opp Total YPG: 330.3 (4th)
Opp Pass YPG: 259 (4th)
Opp Rush YPG: 136 (3rd)
Defensive Key Players
DB #21 Billy Lewis: 20 tackles, TFL, PBU, 2 INTs
DB #9 Keon Jones: 19 tackles, TFL
DE #95 Joshua Stoneking: 19 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, PBU, FF
DB #1 Taylen Blaylock: 18 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 INTs
