Furman quarterback Jake Garcia runs during the Paladins'
20-3 win over Anderson. Photo courtesy of Furman
By Hank Keeler and Scott Keeler
It may take a few weeks to truly have a grasp on what kind of football team Furman has this season. That's just the nature of the beast when you open the season against a Division II opponent and then face an opponent from the SEC, the major leagues in this new era of professional college football.
One thing the Paladins will try to do Saturday at 3:30 p.m., when it plays at 18th-ranked Tennessee on the SEC Network+, is build off one of its best rushing performances it's had in a few years. In last Saturday's 20-3 win over Anderson, Furman ran for 268 yards as a team. That's the most it's collected on the ground since piling up 334 yards in a 29-17 win at Western Carolina in a battle of top 10 teams in 2023.
Perhaps more importantly than the total number of yards was the fact that Furman looked the part of a running team again. That's not something that really could've been said in the last couple of years. No matter who was in the backfield, it seemed like every running back ran hard, ran straight and fell forward on tackles. Throw in a mobile quarterback like Jake Garcia and it was vintage Furman football.
"(Running North-South) has been a point of emphasis, but I also think our coaches try to recruit that. (Running backs coach) Cory Colder's done a great job with those guys," Furman coach Clay Hendrix said in his weekly press conference Tuesday. "All three guys (main running backs) can be home run kind of guys. They're all good receivers too."
C.J. Nettles led the Paladins with 99 yards on 10 carries. That included a much-needed 47-yard carry midway through the second quarter that seemed to spark Furman. While the Paladins had to settle for a 40-yard field goal by Nathan Chapman on that drive, they scored touchdowns on each of their next two drives to take a 17-3 lead into halftime.
Ben Croasdale scores both of those touchdowns and finished with 67 yards on 11 carries. Garcia had nine attempts for 51 yards, while C.J. Stokes, a Charlotte transfer, ran for 37 yards on 11 carries.
"I just think this group that we have this year is very very special, they’re a very talented group. ... I think we all just complement each other really well," Croasdale said after the game. "Whenever one of us needs a break, we got another great back to come in."
Center Chris Luna, a senior captain, said that North-South mentality by the running backs make for a fun time blocking ahead of them. He was also happy to see Garcia make plays with his feet, although he would like to see Garcia's feet sliding down first when he's about to get tackled.
"Jake runs the ball hard, but I'm not sure if he knows how to slide. I texted him after the game and said, 'hey bro, I love that running but you've got to slide and protect yourself a little bit,' " Luna said with a smile. "But I also love that about him. I respect the guy a lot. He's a great dude.
"It kind of first you up as an offensive lineman to know that you've got a guy back there that can get you three or four yards when you need it. They all run hard. It really makes you want to go the extra mile in blocking."
Two linemen earn high grades in opener
A pair of Paladins who paved the way for that team rushing effort and protected Garcia all night were cited this week by the Pro Football Network. Per the PFN's analytics, Bryce Rainwater graded out as the top left guard in all of the FCS on opening weekend, while Parker Peterson had the third-highest grade among right tackles.
Rainwater, a sophomore from Hillcrest High, graded at 91.7 in his first collegiate start. Peterson, a grad transfer from Memphis, graded at 92.2 in his Furman debut.
Another SEC foe, another $1 million QB
The last time Furman faced an SEC opponent, the illustration of what different planets college football programs currently reside on couldn't have been clearer. The Paladins took an eight-hour bus ride to Ole Miss. There they were torched by quarterback Jaxson Dart, whose $1.3 million worth of NIL support included a deal with a flight company that offered he and his family use of private jets.
This season's SEC opponent features another quarterback with a $1 million NIL deal. At 18 years, three months and four days, Faizon Brandon is set to be Tennessee's youngest starting quarterback ever Saturday. His first NIL deal came along well before Knoxville though. After his family successfully sued the North Carolina Department of Education to allow public school students the right to make NIL money - like private school students could, Brandon signed a two-year, $1.2 million deal with Leaf Trading Cards. In addition to that, his deal with the Volunteers will reportedly pay him between $1 million and $1.5 million this season.
Brandon might also have a claim to be the youngest philanthropist - at least in Tennessee and his home state of North Carolina. Through his NIL opportunities, Brandon has raised money for groups such as the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club in his hometown of Greensboro, and the Tennessee Children's Home. Two weeks after signing with the Vols, Brandon held a toy drive and delivered 900 gifts to patients at Dolly Parton Children's Hospital.
Tough September slate
After facing just one ranked team all of last season, Furman might be facing one every week of this month. Following Tennessee this week, the Paladins play at Mercer on Sept. 12, host South Carolina State on Sept. 19 and play at Richmond on Sept. 26. All three of those teams are currently ranked in the AFCA FCS Coaches' Poll.
