First Glance At Furman

South Carolina's Football team is playing an FCS team in the Furman Paladins on Saturday, one who’s firepower doesn’t match their conference affiliation.

The Gamecocks are preparing to face a sneaky good team in the Furman Paladins, a team that has proven it can pack a punch. This Furman squad is not to be underestimated, as it finished last season with an average of 32.1 points per game and currently stands as the 6th-ranked team in the FCS. Coming off a commanding 45-10 victory, the Paladins have demonstrated their ability to control the game and make life miserable for an opposing offense, forcing an impressive six turnovers in their last outing.

This Paladin lineup is stacked with experienced players who contributed in major ways for Furman last season. Quarterback Tyler Huff is a dual-threat quarterback who poses a significant threat to any opposition in the air and on the ground. In the backfield, Dominic Roberto, who racked up over 1100 yards last season at an average of 5.7 yards per carry, is also expected to be a driving force for the Paladins offense. In terms of receiving, Furman returns two of its top three wideouts from last year, Joshua Harris and Kyndel Dean. Their proven performance and on-field chemistry will undoubtedly play a key role in Furman's offense this season.

On the other side of the ball, Furman's defense is equally as experienced and potent. Ten of their eleven starters from last season return, including safety Hugh Ryan, who recorded twelve tackles in the Paladins' week one victory over Tennessee Tech. Linebacker Braden Gilby, the leading tackler from last season, will also be back on the field, ensuring the Paladin's defensive cohesion remains as high as ever.

The Gamecocks must bring their A-game when they face this seasoned Furman team in Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday night. The Paladins have repeatedly demonstrated that they are a stronger team than some might give them credit for. The Gamecocks should not, and indeed, cannot afford to expect an easy victory. 

Will South Carolina rise to the challenge and overcome the Paladins' experienced lineup? After a shaky start to the season against North Carolina in the Dukes Mayo Kickoff Classic, the Gamecocks will have their hands full with Furman this weekend, so they must come prepared and ready for a fight. This game will also serve as a golden opportunity for the Gamecocks to try fixing some of the issues that were on display this past weekend.

You Might Also Like:

• Bam Martin-Scott: The Gamecock's Next Man Up At Linebacker
• Shane Beamer Addresses Hot-Doggate
• Where Do The Gamecocks Go From Here?

Join the community:

• Follow Andrew Lyon on Twitter: @ALyon_SC
• Follow Fisher Brewer on Twitter: @USCTalk
• Follow Joseph Griffin on Twitter: @JosephGriffinJG
• Follow Arvon Bacon on Twitter: @Baconnetworkllc
• Follow Locked On Gamecocks on Youtube or wherever you get your podcasts

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @GamecocksDigest.