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Furman Paladins 20-3 Anderson Trojans: Dominant defence powers season-opening win in Greenville
Furman Paladins opened their 2026 NCAA season with a 20-3 win over Anderson (SC) Trojans, powered by a defence that allowed just six rushing yards and 160 total yards. Ben Croasdale scored two touchdowns while Eli Lipscomb recorded three tackles-for-loss and a sack.
Furman's defence suffocated Anderson (SC) from start to finish, holding the Trojans to six rushing yards and 160 total yards in a commanding 20-3 season-opening victory at Paladin Stadium on Thursday night.
The Paladins outgained the visitors 451-160 overall and 268-6 on the ground, turning a scoreless first quarter into a 17-point second-period burst that decided the contest before halftime.
How It Unfolded
After a quiet first quarter in which neither side could break through, the scoring arrived in a flurry during the second period.
Nathan Chapman opened the scoring with a 40-yard field goal at the 7:10 mark, capping a six-play, 52-yard drive that gave Furman a 3-0 lead. Moments later, the Paladins extended their advantage when Ben Croasdale powered in from four yards out to make it 10-0 with 3:02 left in the half.
Anderson answered through kicker Ross Burnette, who connected from 28 yards to trim the deficit to 10-3 with 1:16 on the clock. But Furman had the final say of the half. Quarterback Jake Garcia orchestrated a nine-play, 73-yard drive that ended with Croasdale plunging over from one yard on the final play before the break, sending the Paladins into the locker room ahead 17-3.
The second half belonged entirely to the Furman defence. The Trojans managed just 30 yards of offence across the third and fourth quarters. Chapman added his second field goal of the night, a 30-yard effort with 9:05 remaining, to seal the 20-3 final margin.
The Turning Point
Croasdale's second touchdown — a one-yard plunge on the final play of the first half — was the dagger. Anderson had responded with a field goal to keep within a single score, but Furman's quick-strike two-minute drill, covering 73 yards in nine plays and just 70 seconds, flipped the momentum decisively. The Trojans entered the break down 14 and never threatened again.
Key Performers
Ben Croasdale (Furman RB) — Two short-yardage touchdown runs (four yards, one yard) that gave the Paladins control before halftime. Efficient, decisive finishing inside the red zone.
CJ Nettles (Furman RB) — A game-high 99 rushing yards on 10 carries, including a 47-yard burst that set the tone for Furman's 268-yard ground assault.
Eli Lipscomb (Furman DL) — Six tackles, three tackles-for-loss, a sack and two quarterback hurries. He lived in the Anderson backfield and was the defensive catalyst.
Jake Garcia (Furman QB) — Completed 15 passes for 183 yards and added 51 rushing yards. Controlled the game efficiently despite one interception.
Player of the Match: Eli Lipscomb (Furman). Three tackles-for-loss and constant backfield pressure set the defensive tone that Anderson never solved.
By the Numbers — Interpreted
The raw 451-160 yardage gap tells only part of the story. Furman's 268-6 rushing yard advantage reveals a total mismatch at the line of scrimmage: the Paladins averaged 5.4 yards per carry while the Trojans managed a paltry 0.2. Anderson's Wilson Edwards completed 19 of 31 passes for 154 yards, but the inability to establish any run game made the passing attack one-dimensional and predictable. Furman's 21 first downs to Anderson's 11 reflects sustained control, while the 31:09 to 28:51 time-of-possession split understates a game where the Paladins led wire-to-wire after the first quarter stalemate.
What It Means
Furman (1-0) opens its season on a convincing note and now faces a monumental step up in class: a trip to Knoxville to face the Tennessee Volunteers on September 5 (3:30 p.m., SEC Network+). The Paladins' defensive front, anchored by Lipscomb, will need to replicate this performance against SEC-level competition.
Anderson (0-1) drops its opener under head coach Bobby Lamb, who returned to Paladin Stadium where he previously coached. The Trojans host Keiser University on September 5 (6:00 p.m.) as they look to establish a ground game that was completely absent in week one.
Verdict
Furman's defensive dominance was the story: holding an opponent to six rushing yards is a statement whatever the opposition. The Paladins handled business exactly as a Division I-FCS programme should against a Division II opponent. The trip to Tennessee next week will reveal how real this defensive ceiling is.