Third-Ranked Furman To Face 12th-Ranked Richmond Saturday In NCAA I-AA Playoff Quarterfinals

Nov. 29, 2005

A 14-12 winner over Nicholls State in NCAA I-AA first round playoff action, the third-ranked Furman Paladins advance to the quarterfinal playoff round this Saturday against the 12th-ranked Richmond Spiders at University of Richmond Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 and the game will be televised by ESPNU/ESPN Game Plan and available through syndication on Charter Cable (Channel 58) in the Greenville-Spartanburg market.

This year's playoff participation marks Furman's sixth playoff appearance in the last seven years and 14th appearance overall. The Paladins sport a 16-12 playoff record.

The Furman-Richmond winner will face the winner of Saturday's Appalachian State-Southern Illinois game in a semifinal round contest on Dec. 9 or 10. The national championship game, which will be televised by ESPN2, is slated for Friday, December 16 at 8:00 p.m. at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Furman, a second place finisher in the 2005 Southern Conference race, secured an at-large playoff berth into this year's playoff field following a 9-2 regular season, which included three wins over nationally ranked teams: No. 20 Jacksonville State (37-35), No. 17 Hofstra (44-41 2OT), and Appalachian State (34-31).

Richmond, which claimed a 38-10 first round playoff victory at third-seed Hampton, overcame a 1-3 start to win the 2005 Atlantic 10 South Division championship with an 8-3 regular season. The Spiders have now won eight straight, including three triumphs over nationally ranked opponents: No. 22 Delaware (20-10), No. 23 Hofstra (43-37 2OT), and No. 17 James Madison (18-15).

Furman defeated Richmond 31-17 in Greenville in 2003 in the last meeting between the two schools. The Paladins claimed a 17-7 decision over the Spiders in 2002 in the last contest at University of Richmond Stadium.

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