Greenville Gears Up for Homecoming at Furman University
Greenville, S.C. – This weekend is a special time for Furman University as it celebrates its annual homecoming. The highlight of the weekend will be a Southern Conference football match-up between the Furman Paladins and the Western Carolina Catamounts. The game kicks off on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Paladin Stadium.
Game Day Information
The highly anticipated game is sponsored by Ingles and will be accessible for fans through various channels. Those unable to attend in person can catch the action streamed live on ESPN+ and the game will be broadcast on flagship stations, including The Fan Upstate and its four affiliates: 97.7 FM/1330 AM in Greenville, and 97.1 FM/950 AM in Spartanburg. Fans can also access the broadcast through Audacy.com and FurmanPaladins.com.
For those who wish to stay updated during the game, Furman will provide live statistics via StatBroadcast, available on their official website. Fans can also follow live updates and watch video highlights through their social media platforms, including @FurmanPaladins on “X” and the Furman Paladin Football Facebook page.
Recent Performance and Team Profiles
The Western Carolina Catamounts arrive in Greenville with a record of 3-3 and 2-0 in the Southern Conference. Recently, they achieved back-to-back victories against Wofford (21-17) and The Citadel (30-16). However, the Catamounts faced challenges in their earlier schedule, going 1-3 in non-conference games. They faced tough opponents, including North Carolina State and Montana, but now they aim to improve their standing in the league.
Looking back on last year, Western Carolina will be eager to avenge their 29-17 defeat to Furman. In that encounter, former Paladin quarterback Tyler Huff played a pivotal role, passing for significant yards and racking up touchdowns. With Huff now playing at Jacksonville State, Furman must adapt without many key players from last season’s squad.
Furman, currently at 2-4 and 1-1 in the SoCon, hopes to recover from a challenging 41-10 loss to Chattanooga last week. The defeat was marred by five turnovers, including four interceptions. This year’s Paladin lineup features a youthful roster, with nearly two-thirds made up of either sophomores or freshmen, which presents both challenges and opportunities for growth.
Quarterbacks and Offensive Strategy
The Paladins are looking to their quarterbacks, Trey Hedden and Carson Jones, to lead the offense. Hedden has recorded 1,030 passing yards with 7 touchdowns, while Jones has also contributed well with over 300 yards so far. Furman’s rushing game, known for success against Western Carolina in past seasons, will be particularly important for establishing momentum.
History of the Rivalry
This match represents the 52nd meeting between Furman and Western Carolina, with Furman leading the series 36-13-2. Furman has won seven of their last eight matchups, establishing a strong competitive history. A memorable clash took place two years ago, where both teams combined for 87 points and over 1,100 yards of offense, resulting in a thrilling 47-40 victory for the Paladins.
As the Paladins prepare to face the Catamounts, the homecoming atmosphere promises an exciting day of football, community spirit, and a chance for both teams to shine as they strive to achieve their season goals. Fans are urged to back their teams and enjoy what is set to be an action-packed game.
