Jan. 31, 2008

GREENVILLE -- Six home games and a clash with Atlantic Coast Conference member Virginia Tech highlight Furman's 2008 football schedule, which was released today by director of athletics Gary Clark.

Furman, which will play the first 12-game regular season slate in program history, kicks off the campaign with an Aug. 30 home game against Mars Hill. On Sept. 6 the Paladins face Virginia Tech in the first football meeting with the Hokies since 1947.

The following week Furman will travel to Hamilton, N.Y., to play Patriot League member Colgate in the first gridiron clash between the two schools. Furman and Colgate are the only two private schools to ever make Football Championship Subdivision (FCS/formerly I-AA) national championship game appearances, and Furman is the only private school to ever win a title (1988).

Furman returns home to face FCS runner-up and Colonial Conference power Delaware on Sept. 20. Furman defeated Delaware, 21-7, in 1988 NCAA I-AA first round playoff action in Greenville in the only previous meeting between the Paladins and Blue Hens.

Furman opens Southern Conference play at home on Sept. 27 when it attempts to extend a 13-game series winning streak over Chattanooga. The Paladins' first road league game is slated for Oct. 4 at Elon.

Homecoming is scheduled for Oct. 11 when the Paladins entertain Western Carolina, and the following week arch-rival The Citadel comes to Greenville for the 88th renewal of the SoCon's most contested rivalry.

Furman will face defending FCS champion Appalachian State in Boone on Oct. 25 and then travel to Birmingham to square off against the SoCon's newest member, Samford on Nov. 1. The Paladins defeated the Bulldogs, 45-23, in Greenville in 2005 and currently own a four-game series winning streak.

After the season's lone off-week (Nov. 8), Furman welcomes Georgia Southern to Paladin Stadium for the campaign's final regular season home game. Furman has claimed three of the last four clashes with Georgia Southern, including a 25-23 triumph in Statesboro in 2007.

The Paladins wrap up the regular season with a Nov. 22 road contest against Wofford. Furman sports a four-game winning streak over the Terriers in Spartanburg, including a 35-21 triumph in 2006.

Head coach Bobby Lamb's squad will return 12 starters off its 2007 team, which posted a 6-5 record and 4-3 Southern Conference third place finish.

2008 FURMAN PALADINS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 30 MARS HILL

Sept. 6 @ Virginia Tech

Sept. 13 @ Colgate

Sept. 20 DELAWARE

Sept. 27 CHATTANOOGA

Oct. 4 @ Elon

Oct. 11 WESTERN CAROLINA

Oct. 18 THE CITADEL

Oct. 25 @ Appalachian State

Nov. 1 @ Samford

Nov. 15 GEORGIA SOUTHERN

Nov. 22 @ Wofford