Scouting the Furman Paladins: Offense
Base Offense: Furman will spread the field a bit and give you some different option plays. They're clearly a run-first team. They ran the ball last week 45 times to 18 pass attempts. Most passing plays they use will be screens, slants, and bootleg pass / run options.
Season Thus Far: The Paladins exploded on offense in their opening matchup against Colgate. They scored 45 and ran the ball for 377 yards and threw for 159 for a total of 536.
Quarterbacks: Furman played two quarterbacks last week, Chris Forcier and Chris Worley. Forcier (brother of Michigan QB Tate Forcier) started but was pulled for a while after fumbling in the second quarter. Worley then came in and promptly made some big passes to help Furman pull away. From appearances, it seems that Forcier--a former backup at UCLA who transferred after the Bruins tried to move him to receiver; think Logan Gray--is the more athletic of the two, and he had a big 85 yard run against Colgate. Worley appears to be the better passer. I would expect to see both in the game as the Paladins try to find a way to score.
Runningbacks: Furman's leading rusher last week was Forcier, but also having a big game was star tailback Tersoo Uhaa. Uhaa is a small back, but he can run and catch the ball very well. Furman will also spread the ball around to some others guys, as well.
Wide Receivers: Furman won't throw much in this game, but when they do, they like to go to Adam Mimms. Expect to see them try to get him the ball at times on quick screens and slants; they don't like to go long too often.
Offensive Line: If you take a moment and watch the video below, you'll see that Furman has a disciplined offensive line that makes plays happen for its offense. As with their defensive line, though, these guys would be too small to play in the SEC.
Analysis: Furman has a well-coached, productive offensive unit, as their numbers from last game suggest, and they'll be able to move the ball if we're not careful. We'll probably focus on the running game, as Furman doesn't seem like a team that's going to do too much to hurt us throwing the ball. The key here will be to stay in position and tackle. We should be able to do the first pretty well as long as we play disciplined and don't overpursue. Expect Ellis Johnson not to blitz too much and to emphasize not doing anything stupid. Secondly, it's a tackling game. We should have the horses to manhandle these guys up front and make plays, but if you don't tackle, these guys can make you pay.
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4.44 40 speed on that Forcier QB.
The defense needs to play disciplined against him.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Sep 15, 2025 5:52 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah. He is former big-time recruit.
That long run he has in the video shows off his speed pretty well.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Sep 15, 2025 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Offense
Furman’s offense, right now, is the bell cow. Forcier is a quick fella. Rumored to have been the fastest player on UCLA’s team before transferring. Forcier, along with WR Adam Mims and RB Mike Brown, are “score anywhere on the field guys.” All three can fly.
Uhaa is a good, but undersized, back. He is technically listed as a fullback, which is a far cry from recent memories (his predecessor is a 6’0 240lbs starting fullback for Detroit, Jerome Felton). Uhaa runs angry though. One of those guys that likes to deliver hits, not run around him. I think you’ll enjoy watching him play.
Furman has recommitted to the running game, which is refreshing. The receivers aren’t slouches. Mims is on pace to break just about every Furman receiving record (and we’ve had some good ones). He is complemented by tall possession-type guys. Key target in the redzone is Tennessee transfer Tyler Maples. Good route runner with strong hands. Each running back is a very capable pass catcher.
Game plan for Furman, I think, will be simple. Don’t expect any pocket sitting. Both QBs can move around. Expect them to get the ball out into space and use their feet to pick up first downs. No real expectation of downfield passes (not something we do even against poor defenses, much less one the calibre of USC).
by kalesi on Sep 17, 2025 1:47 PM EDT reply actions
Great info.
It’s been hard to find much analysis of Furman’s game on the net that’s as well laid out as what you’ve posted today. I appreciate it. I’m looking forward to seeing what you guys have to offer; you look like a really good team.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Sep 17, 2025 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Not a problem.
These games are certainly a David v. Goliath. Good FCS teams genearlly have a handful of players that could play for and start for a good deal of the FBS schools. Most of these games are lost in the depth department. The fact of the matter is the FCS just doesn’t have as many scholarship athletes, which really becomes obvious in the second and third quarters.
Even if the score is close at the half, depth gets to be a bear later in the game. Two years ago up at Virginia Tech, Furman was down 3-0 at the half and lost 24-3.
by kalesi on Sep 18, 2025 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

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