Nov. 21, 2004

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Furman Paladins will play host to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Saturday, Nov. 27, in NCAA I-AA first round playoff action, it was announced today. Kickoff at Paladin Stadium is set for Noon, and the game will be televised live by Comcast-Charter Sports Southeast (CSS).

Furman (9-2, 6-1 SoCon), the NCAA playoffs No. 2 seed, Southern Conference co-champion, and league automatic qualifier, completed its regular season on Saturday with a 51-31 win over Chattanooga. The Paladins have won their last five games, including a 29-22 decision over Georgia Southern on Nov. 6 and 31-24 triumph over Wofford on Nov. 13.

Jacksonville State (9-1, 7-1) clinched its second straight Ohio Valley Conference crown on Saturday with a 47-9 win over Southeast Missouri State.

The Gamecocks and Paladins defeated two common opponents this year in Samford and Chattanooga. Furman downed Samford 45-10 on Sept. 10 and Jacksonville State beat the Bulldogs 51-18 on Nov. 6. Furman clipped Chattanooga 51-31 on Saturday, and the Gamecocks downed UTC 65-20 on Sept. 18.

The winner of the Furman-Jacksonville State game will play the winner of Saturday's Lehigh vs. James Madison contest on Dec. 4. If Furman defeats Jacksonville State, the Paladins would host the quarterfinal game in Greenville by virtue of their No. 2 seed.

The NCAA I-AA national championship game is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 17 at Chattanooga's Max Finley Stadium.

The playoff appearance is Furman's fifth in the last six seasons and 13th overall since Southern Conference football was reclassified from I-A to I-AA in 1982. Furman sports a 14-11 playoff record and in 1988 won the NCAA I-AA national championship by defeating Georgia Southern 17-12 in Pocatello, Idaho. In its last playoff appearance in 2002, Furman dropped a 41-38 decision to Villanova. In 2001 the Paladins went 12-3 and finished as national runnerup, losing to Montana 13-6 in the national championship game.

"We are very excited to be back in the playoffs as Southern Conference champion," said Furman head coach Bobby Lamb earlier today. "Our players and coaches have worked very hard to get to this point, but now it's another season and one we're looking forward to. Jacksonville State is a quality, talented football team who will present a big challenge to us on both sides of the football. When you get to this point (16-team playoff), you can expect to play a fine opponent, and Jacksonville State is just that."

Following are the match-ups for the first round of competition to be played Saturday, Nov. 27. Complete game times will be released Monday:

November 27 at Carbondale, Illinois

Eastern Washington (8-3) at No. 1 Southern Illinois (10-1)

November 27 at Huntsville, Texas

Western Kentucky (9-2) at Sam Houston State (9-2)

November 27 at Missoula, Montana

Northwestern St. (8-3) at Montana (9-2)

November 27 at Statesboro, Georgia (6 p.m. Eastern on ESPN 2)

New Hampshire (9-2) at No. 4 Georgia Southern (9-2)

November 27 at Williamsburg, Virginia

Hampton (9-1) at No. 3 William & Mary (9-2)

November 27 at Newark, Delaware (Time TBD on CSTV)

Lafayette (8-3) at Delaware (8-3)

November 27 at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

James Madison (9-2) at Lehigh (9-2)

November 27 at Greenville, South Carolina

Jacksonville State (9-1) at No. 2 Furman (9-2)