Furman Rolls Past Chattanooga 56-35

Nov. 19, 2005

Chattanooga, Tenn. - Ingle Martin passed for a career high 323 yards and two touchdowns to lead NCAA I-AA fourth-ranked Furman to a 56-35 Southern Conference win over Chattanooga Saturday at Finley Stadium.

Martin, a senior from Nashville and Walter Payton Award candidate, completed 15-of-17 passes, including touchdown strikes covering 2 yards to Jerome Felton and 21 yards to Justin Stepp, to headline a Paladin offense that rolled up a season high 662 yards in total offense - the second highest single game total in school history. The victory marked Furman's 11th consecutive triumph over Chattanooga.

Furman (9-2, 5-2 SoCon) will find out its NCAA I-AA first round playoff opponent on Sunday's selection show, scheduled to be televised on ESPN News at 1:00 p.m. The playoffs begin Saturday, November 26. This year will mark the 14th playoff appearance for the Paladins.

Cedrick Gipson paced Furman's rushing attack with a career high 137 yards on 16 carries. Daric Carter ran for 78 yards and two touchdowns, and fullback Jerome Felton tacked on 53 yards and three rushing touchdowns while also collecting a two-yard touchdown reception.

Furman took the opening kickoff, and on its first play from scrimmage Martin connected with Justin Stepp for a 58-yard completion to the UTC 3-yard line. On the next play Jerome Felton bulled over to give the Paladins a 7-0 lead.

Daric Carter's 14-yard scoring run midway through the first quarter gave Furman a 14-0 advantage.

After Chattanooga cut the Paladin lead to 14-7, Martin connected on a 2-yard touchdown pass to Felton for a 21-7 advantage.

The Paldins surged to a 35-14 halftime lead on Carter's second scoring run of the contest - a 7-yard burst - and on Martin's 21-yard strike to Stepp with just 26 seconds remaining before intermission.

Andrew Jones led Furman's defense with eight tackles.