Box Score Game Book (pdf)
"Inside Wofford Football"
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Wofford College football team was defeated 26-21 by Furman on Saturday afternoon at Paladin Stadium. After the game was tied at seven in the first quarter, the Paladins scored the next two touchdowns to take the lead. Wofford was hampered by eight penalties and two interceptions in the contest.
The Terriers are 5-2 on the season and 3-1 in the SoCon. Furman is 4-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play. Wofford was led by Eric Breitenstein with 129 rushing yards and two touchdowns. James Zotto and Mike Niam shared the team lead with 12 tackles each. Furman was led by Jerodis Williams with 155 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while Chris Forcier was 9-of 11 passing for 110 yards and a touchdown.
“It was a disappointing game,” said head coach Mike Ayers. “Furman played extremely well. A lot of what went on was because there guys out-executed us in just about every phase. We had our moments, but it seemed like when we had our moments we were our own worst enemy with penalties. We still had our chance to win the ball game. In looking at the stats, they were better at taking care of the ball, they were better at staying away from penalties, and the kicking game was a wash. We have to do a better job of kicking the ball deeper to allow us a chance to cover. All in all, our kids fought hard and kept trying. They got after us with the running game and they picked their times to throw the football.”
The Paladins had the ball to open the game and used a fourth-and-one conversation along with a 40-yard run by Jerodis Williams to get the ball inside the five-yard line. Williams capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown run with 10:25 on the clock for a 7-0 lead.
On the first drive of the game for the Terriers, Wofford took 14 plays to go 74 yards and scored on a one-yard touchdown run by Donovan Johnson. The score was tied at seven with 4:17 left in the first quarter. Furman gained two first downs on their next drive before punting.
Wofford has stopped by three penalties and had to punt back to Furman. The Paladins used a 30-yard catch by Colin Anderson on the way to a one-yard touchdown run by Jerodis Williams. The PAT was missed, making it a 13-7 score at 8:55 in the second quarter. The Terriers were forced three-and-out and punted back to Furman.
A sack by Ameet Pall of Chris Forcier forced the Paladins to punt with five minutes left in the half. Wofford gained two first downs, then converted a fourth-and-seven on a pass to Brenton Bersin. The Terriers ended the first half with a hail mary pass to the end zone that was intercepted by Ryan Steed for the Paladins.
To open the second half, Wofford gained two first downs, including a 24-yard run by Eric Breitenstein. However a run on fourth-and-three failed and the ball went back to Furman. The Paladins responded with a two-yard touchdown reception by Colin Anderson from Chris Forcier. Furman missed the PAT and had a 19-7 lead with 6:28 on the clock in the third quarter.
Wofford picked up two more first downs, but Mitch Allen was intercepted by Greg Worthy inside the ten-yard line. The Terrier defense forced a three-and-out and Furman punted. Wofford converted a fourth-and-one by Eric Breitenstein and added a first down on a personal foul by the Paladins. After another first down by Donovan Johnson, Eric Breitenstein scored on a five-yard run to cut the lead to 19-14 with 13:17 left in the fourth quarter.
Furman took advantage of a long kickoff return and penalty and drove 48 yards in eight plays to take a 26-14 lead. With 8:59 on the clock in the fourth quarter, Tersoo Uhaa scored from three-yards out for the touchdown.
The Terriers then used a 29-yard pass to Eric Breitenstein down the sideline and added a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty on the play to move the ball inside the 20. Eric Breitenstein scored on a two-yard run to end the 80-play drive and make it a 26-21 game with 4:47 left in the game.
The Paladins fumbled on the kickoff, which was forced by SeQuan Stanley, but the ball rolled out of bounds. Furman gained two first downs and moved the ball to the 26-yard line. On fourth-and-eight, Tersoo Uhaa was stopped and Wofford got the ball back with 1:45 left in the game. The Terriers were unable to gain a first down and Furman was able to kneel twice to end the contest.
Wofford had 351 total yards, with 284 on the ground. Furman had 318 total yards, 208 of which were rushing. Wofford had the time of possession advantage by a 32:24 to 27:36 margin. Wofford was 8-of-15 on third downs and 2-of-4 on fourth down. Furman was 6-of-11 on third down and 1-of-2 on fourth down. Wofford had eight penalties, while Furman had four.
Next weekend the Terriers will host Elon at 1:30 p.m. at Gibbs Stadium. The game will be part of Homecoming festivities at Wofford College.
Wofford vs. Furman Post-Game Notes
Eric Breitenstein rushed for 129 yards, the sixth time this season with over 100 yards. The only game he has not rushed for over 100 yards was at Clemson. It marks his 16th career 100+ rushing game, which is second in school history behind Shawn Graves (25).
With two rushing touchdowns, Eric Breitenstein has 37 for his career. He is second in school history behind Shawn Graves (72).
Mitch Allen was intercepted twice by Furman. It was only the second time in his career he has been intercepted twice in a game (Georgia Southern 10/3/2009).
Furman’s Jerodis Williams rushed for 155 yards in the game. He is only the second player to rush for 100 yards against Wofford this season (Andre Ellington, Clemson, 165 yards).
Injuries for Wofford include RB Alex Dunmire (ruptured spleen/out for season), LB Phillip LeGrande (hamstring) and RB Derek Boyce (concussion).
After allowing only two sacks all season, the Terriers allowed two in the first half by Furman.
Game captains were Allen Smith and Jamie Chappell.
Attendance was 11,716 at Paladin Stadium.
