Aug. 14, 2007

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Furman Paladins are ranked 11th in the Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) preseason poll, which was released Tuesday.

The Paladins are one of three Southern Conference teams ranked in the Top 25, trailing top-ranked Appalachian State but ahead of Wofford (14th).

The Paladins polled 1,058 points, just one point behind 10th-ranked McNeese State. Ranked behind Appalachian State in the Top 5 were Montana, Massachusetts, North Dakota State, and Youngstown State.

Furman completed the 2006 season ranked 12th following an 8-4 campaign and 6-1, runner-up finish in the Southern Conference.

The Paladins, who return 17 starters, have earned Top 20 ranking in 118 of the last 121 FCS polls dating back to 1999 -- tops among Southern Conference schools.

Tuesday's lone afternoon practice session featured a "very physical" 20 minute goal line session according to head coach Bobby Lamb.

"There was some serious hitting going on out there, no doubt about it, and both sides made some big plays," said Lamb after his squad put in its goal line offensive and defensive packages.

Fullback Jerome Felton (leg), wide receiver Adam Mims (foot), wide receiver Ryan McKie (shoulder), and nose guard Justin Brown (shoulder) -- were held out of contact Tuesday for precautionary reasons, according to Lamb, but all four are not expected to miss any substantial time.

Drawing Lamb's praise on Tuesday was true freshman linebacker Kadarron Anderson of Greenwood.

"Kadarron Anderson is going to be an outstanding football player. He was superb today."

The Paladins will practice twice on Wednesday with an 8:00 a.m. session followed by a 6:45 p.m. workout, part of which will be conducted in Paladin Stadium.