Furman named No.7 seed in FCS playoffs

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Furman University might have lost to Wofford on Saturday, but they are still going on to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs.

For the first time since 1990, the Paladins are the outright SoCon champions, which earned them an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.

During the selection show watch party at Younts Conference Center on campus, fans and the team found out Furman has the No. 7 seed in the 24-team playoffs.

It was a Paladin party Sunday, which was quite a contrast to the mood after Wofford upset No. 2 Furman 19-13 on Saturday.

“You know, yesterday almost kind of felt like a playoff loss because that’s not how you want to end the season,” Defensive Tackle Matt Sochovka said. “A lot of tears were shed yesterday. But the cool thing is, we get a chance not to feel like that again. It definitely could be a good thing. You always want to finish strong, but in hindsight if we were going to lose one, I guess that was the one.”

Furman has a bye in the first round of the playoffs and will play the winner of Austin Peay and fellow SoCon team Chattanooga, which Furman beat 17-14 on Nov. 4th.

“Certainly disappointment from yesterday,” Head Coach Clay Hendrix said about the morale on the team. “So to see that pop up and be able to share that with our fans and have a chance to have a second-round playoff game here the week after Thanksgiving. Our kids will get to go home for Thanksgiving.”

The Paladins will host either Austin Peay or Chattanooga at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2nd.

A Furman fan, who just happens to be Coach Hendrix’s father-in-law, believes Furman can win the national title.

“It’s an attitude, it’s the spirit of a winner and I think that’s the way they were today.” Carey Hedgbeth said. “I came in here just coming to see what the report was going to be. But after being in here for about 15 minutes, I thought, ‘great day, we’re ready to go.’”

Copyright 2023 WHNS. All rights reserved.