Coaches always talk about adversity, it's not if it comes but when. It also isn't that adversity comes, it's how you respond to it. Many coaches will tell you they feel that is one of the most important lessons to be learned. A lesson that not only shapes football programs but shapes the young men in them later on. Furman faced adversity in the way of two straight losses, being routed at NC State and stifled at home vs Mercer. However, it was those losses that may have regrouped the Paladins. Since those two losses, Furman has rebounded for two straight wins. Not just any two wins but wins vs in-state rivals Wofford and Citadel.
Following those two wins, Furman has set themselves up to make noise in the Socon race. The Paladins host East Tennessee State this weekend. The Buccaneers are locked in a three way tie atop the conference leaderboard at 3-1. Mercer and VMI are also sitting at 3-1. Furman is just one game back of that at 2-1. VMI is off this week and Mercer hosts Wofford. So the Paladins could get put themselves squarely in the conversation for conference gold with a win this weekend.
This Saturday's game also serves as a chance for Furman to knock off a ranked team, as ETSU comes in ranked in the top 20 in the latest FCS polls. This game will be the first of three remaining against teams that are currently in the top 5 in the Socon standings. The Paladins sit tied for 4th currently. So the next few weeks will be the "meat" of the Furman schedule. The Paladins will find out going forward how that early adversity will shape their response and more so their season. Furman and ETSU will kick off at 2 PM Saturday. You can hear every play on ESPN Upstate.
