Furman Schedule Includes Trips To Auburn, Missouri

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Clashes against Missouri and Auburn highlight Furman’s
2009 football schedule, which was released today by director of athletics Dr. Gary Clark.

Furman will play Missouri on Sept. 19 and Auburn on Nov. 7, marking the first time the Paladins have scheduled two Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly I-A) opponents in the same season since 1982. That year Furman dropped a 26-0 season opening decision to N.C. State before defeating South Carolina, 28-23.

Furman last played Auburn in 1956 and has never faced a Big 12 Conference foe.

“This is one of the most challenging football schedules we’ve ever put together, and we look forward to the opportunity to play two outstanding FBS programs in Missouri and Auburn, as well as our very tough Southern Conference opponents,” said Clark on Monday.

Five home games dot the 11-game schedule, including a Sept. 5 season opener against Presbyterian, which Furman defeated, 40-16, in the 2007 season inaugural.

On Sept. 12 the Paladins kick off SoCon play at Chattanooga before traveling to Columbia, Mo., to take on the defending Big 12 North Division Co-Champion Tigers, who posted a 10-4 record in 2008 and defeated Northwestern, 30-23, in the Alamo Bowl.

Clashes against SoCon foes Western Carolina (Sept. 26) in Cullowhee, N.C., and Elon (Oct. 3) in Greenville precede the Paladins’ Oct. 10 open date.

Furman will begin the schedule’s stretch run at home against Samford (Oct.
17) and will travel to Charleston for the 89th renewal of the SoCon’s oldest football rivalry against The Citadel (Oct. 24) before returning home to take on defending SoCon champion Appalachian State (Oct. 31).

Following the Auburn contest, the Paladins face Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Ga., where Furman claimed a 24-22 win in 2007.

Furman’s regular season finale is against Wofford (Nov. 21), the Paladins’
oldest football rival dating back to 1889 when the two played the first football game in South Carolina.

The Elon contest will highlight Family Weekend, and the Paladins’ clash with Samford will punctuate Homecoming Weekend at Furman.

Kickoff times will be announced at a later date.

Head coach Bobby Lamb’s squad will return 13 starters off its 2008 team, which posted a 7-5 record and 4-4 Southern Conference slate.

2009 FURMAN PALADINS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 5 Presbyterian
Sept. 12 @ Chattanooga
Sept. 19 @ Missouri
Sept. 26 @ Western Carolina
Oct. 3 Elon (Family Weekend)
Oct. 10 Open
Oct. 17 Samford (Homecoming)
Oct. 24 @ The Citadel
Oct. 31 Appalachian State
Nov. 7 @ Auburn
Nov. 14 @ Georgia Southern
Nov. 21 Wofford