Furman 33 UGa B 14

Furman notched a win over the University of Georgia B-side Sunday, 33-14.

The Paladins, which had finished runner up in the 14-team Rucktoberfest Tournament in Boone last week, showed moments of good play. But overall, the team’s play was listless and fairly unemotional. Kyle Tenke, a first-year player who was a member of the Furman football team last year, continued to impress. He notched a pair of trys. Andy Brame, Furman’s had-charging strong-side flanker, out shown all forwards on the pitch.

Flyhalf Michael Erickson returned to action for the first time since September 22. Just three weeks into the fall season, the Paladins have played six games and three scrimmages halves, which were hosted by USC September 22 after the Paladins had just two practices.

While the team still shows signs of rustiness, the squad is beginning to gel somewhat. Only six of the starting 15 against Georgia started in the Div. III national championship game last spring. Three Paladin regulars, Charlie Craighill (outside center), Keith Knowlton (wing and fullback) and Shaun vanRensburg (inside center) are not playing this fall due to study abroad and varsity football.

Against Georgia the Paladins scored five trys in three 30-minute periods. The Bulldogs scored one. The Paladins traveled with 23 players, all of whom played at least one period. Though the squad’s primary focus in the fall is teaching and developing team continuity, Furman is 4-2 on the season. The team’s only two losses were to ECU in the Rucktoberfest Tournament.

photos by Mark Ryckman