Clemson Opponents’ Preview
CLEMSON — Before heading to play rival South Carolina in the final week of the regular season, Clemson hosts in-state opponent Furman in its final home game at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 22.
The last time these two played, the Tigers beat Furman, 35-12, in 2022. A Southern Conference school, the Paladins are one of the smallest Division I programs in the nation.
In the last game they played against an FBS opponent, Ole Miss tore them apart for a 76-0 win in Oxford, Miss. Furman is 6-36-1 vs. FBS opponents since Division I college football split into two divisions in 1978.
From 1982-’86, the Paladins earned the reputation as giant killers as they posted a 4-1-1 record against FBS competition, including wins over South Carolina and NC State. However, they have won just two games since and once since 2000.
Trying to knock off Clemson will not be an easy task, especially since the Tigers are 39-0 all-time vs. FCS teams. Also, Clemson has won 32 straight against the Paladins and have not lost to them since 1936.
The Tigers lead the all-time series between the two, 44-10-4.
How will Furman do against Clemson this year?
OFFENSE
After leading the Paladins in passing yards, sophomore quarterback Trey Hedden is expected to stay at the helm while sharing time with junior Carson Jones, just like in 2024. Hedden threw 13 touchdowns while committing nine interceptions.
As for his protection, four of the five starters from the previous year are back, including All-SoCon guard Luke Petit. The Paladins picked up Wake Forest transfer Jaydon Collins to fill in at one of the tackle spots, and center Brady Smith from Christian Presbyterian Academy has shown promise.
Sophomore running back Gavin Hall will get a lot of touches this year after he found himself behind Myion Hicks in 2024. Now that Hicks is at Northwestern State, Hall will likely start with junior Ben Croasdale and others backing him up.
At receiver, senior Ben Ferguson will have the No. 1 spot with the departure of Colton Hinton to Coastal Carolina. Returning from last year is Ethan Harris, John Holbrook and Devin Hester.
DEFENSE
Junior Dylan Chiedo will look to fill Furman’s bandit end position, which composes of the versatility between outside linebacker and defensive end. At defensive end on the other side, redshirt sophomore Joshua Stoneking is expected to start, with some competition from fellow pass rushers Quay Rush and Malaki Dobbins.
At tackle, Ty Kauserud will look to get some more experience alongside graduate transfer Joseph Perez-Garibay from Idaho State. Next to them, Caldwell Bussey will return after his fantastic 2024 season.
Linebacker Luke Clark is expected to suit up after earning 41 tackles and three sacks as a backup last year, and he will be joined through competition by a slew of possible prospects, including senior Luke McLaughlin and sophomore Raleigh Herbert among others.
In the secondary, safeties Caleb Williams and Tre’ McLeod return from last season, where they combined for 87 tackles and three interceptions. At the corners, things are a bit different from last year, but a combination of their talented depth and transfers Keon Jones (Prairie View A&M) and A.J. Seay (North Alabama) will help provide support. It is unclear, though, who will end up with the starting jobs.
SPECIAL TEAMS
After kicking for the Paladins in 2024, starting kicker Ian Williams is expected to start in his senior year. Williams was 14-for-20 on his field goal attempts last year and was 24-for-25 on extra points. He also assumed the punting role last season, so he could be the main guy there alongside designated punters Gray Gitter and Dawson Jones.
OVERVIEW
The Paladins, led by head coach Clay Hendrix, who is now in his 10th season, finished with only three victories last season. The year before, they finished at 10-3 and at the top of the SoCon. It is safe to say that Hendrix and his squad want to be back in that position.
Their schedule starts them off against William & Mary and Presbyterian at home before sending them away to Campbell and Samford to wrap up September. After that, they bounce back and forth from being home and away, with bigger games, including Western Carolina, Wofford, and Chattanooga. Finally, they end their season with their game against the Tigers, and it will be their biggest challenge yet.
—photo by Petre Thomas / Imagn Images