SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Saturday afternoon, the Wofford College football team defeated Furman 24-7 at Gibbs Stadium. The Paladins scored first, but the rest of the game belong to the Terriers as they scored 24 unanswered points.
 
Wofford, ranked #20 in the nation, is 7-3 overall and 6-1 in the Southern Conference. With the win, the Terriers clinched a share of the league title for the third straight season. Later in the day, Chattanooga defeated The Citadel 34-33, giving Wofford the automatic bid to the playoffs. Furman, ranked #7, falls to 6-4 on the season and 6-2 in league play.
 
The Terriers were led by Blake Morgan with a career-high 147 rushing yards and a touchdown. Joe Newman added two rushing touchdowns. The Paladins were led by Wayne Anderson with 68 rushing yards and a touchdown.
 
"I thought that after last year our guys were disappointed with how we played defensively and offensively as well," said Wofford head coach Josh Conklin. "The players put a lot of time and effort into this week to prepare to lay it on the line for four quarters. To hold a really good football team to seven points is a great thing for our defense. We knew that Furman was coming in here with a chance to win a conference championship on our field and our guys just did not allow that to happen."
 
The Paladins had the ball first and had a first down. On third down, Wayne Anderson went 63-yards down the near sideline for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead at 3:06 in the first quarter. Wofford responded with a nine-play drive that covered 65-yard. After picking up a fourth-and-one at midfield by Joe Newman, Blake Morgan and D'mauriae VanCleave had first downs. Newman capped the drive with a seven-yard run to tie the game with 8:26 on the clock. Furman had a first down, then appeared to convert a third down but on replay it was incomplete and the Paladins punted. Wofford gained four first downs and then Joe Newman scored from two-yards out for a 14-7 advantage at 14:15 in the second quarter.
 
With the ball back, Furman had two first downs before penalties pushed them back and forced a punt. Wofford then went three-and-out and punted. The Paladins had one first down before facing a fourth-and-four at the 36-yard line. The pass was completed, but a tackle by Jireh Wilson was made for no gain and the Terriers took over on downs. Wofford had one first down and then appeared to pick up another before a holding penalty brought up a punt. The Paladins went three-and-out and punted, followed by a three-and-out by Wofford. Furman took a knee to end the half.
 
Wofford opened the second half with the ball and picked up a first down. On fourth-and-one from midfield, Nathan Walker gained 16-yards for the first down. Blake Morgan then went 29-yards for the touchdown and Wofford had a 21-7 lead at the 10:03 mark of the third quarter. Furman had five first downs and then faced fourth-and-goal from the one. The run by Devin Wynn was stopped short and Wofford took over on downs at the two. Blake Morgan had a 21-yard run on the first play and Joe Newman added a first down run. After two more first downs, the drive stalled and Wofford punted.
 
Furman had a first down by penalty and then on third down Mason Alstatt broke up a pass, the ball hit his foot and bounced into the hands of Brandon Brown for the interception. Nathan Walker and Blake Morgan had first downs and a 20-yard field goal by Luke Carter pushed the lead to 24-7 with 4:05 left in the game. Furman had a first down and then ran for a first down on fourth-and-two. On fourth-and-goal from the one, the Wofford defense again stopped Furman and took over one downs. Joe Newman ran for two yards and ran out the clock on the win.
 
Wofford had 336 total yards, with 288 rushing yards. Furman had 265 total yards, 167 of which were rushing. Wofford had 18 first downs, while Furman had 15. Wofford was 5-of-12 on third down and 2-of-2 on fourth down. Furman was 6-of-14 on third down and 1-of-4 on fourth down. Wofford was called for seven penalties to three for the Paladins. Wofford had a 34:17 to 25:43 time of possession advantage.
 
Wofford vs. Furman Post-Game Notes
The game marked the 130^th anniversary of the first meeting between Wofford and Furman in 1889, which was the first football game played in the state of South Carolina and the Deep South. Wofford has won five of the last six meetings, but trail the all-time series 54-33-7.
 
It was the final regular season home contest for 20 Wofford seniors. The group includes: Mason Alstatt, Robbie Armstrong, Justus Basinger, Ronnie Brooks, Luke Carter, Zach Epting, George Gbesee, Jason Hill, Nick Karas, Dorian Lindsey, Blake Morgan, Miller Mosley, Joe Newman, Michael Ralph, Andy Riazzi, Dimitri Redwood, Liam Ronan, Ulysses Strawter, DT Wilson and Jireh Wilson.
 
With the Southern Conference Championship title, the Terriers have now won seven since joining the league in 1997. Wofford is the first team to win three in a row since Chattanooga (2013, 2014, 2015).
 
Blake Morgan had his first 100-yard rushing game of the season with a career-high 147 yards and it was the second 100+ rushing game of his career.
 
The interception by Brandon Brown in the fourth quarter was the first of his career.
 
Luke Carter had one field goal and moved to a tie in all-time field goals made at 32 (David Marvin). He is also now first all-time in kicking points with 230, passing Christian Reed (228).
 
Joe Beckett led the team with six tackles.
 
Game captains were Joe Newman, Justus Basinger, Mason Alstatt, Jireh Wilson and Blake Morgan.    
 
Attendance was 6,457 at Gibbs Stadium.
 
The Terriers will close out the regular season on Saturday, November 23, at The Citadel with a kick-off at noon.