GREENVILLE, SC -- A two-hour lightning delay didn’t faze NCAA I-AA seventh-ranked Furman as quarterback Billy Napier threw for 237 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Paladins to a 57-7 romp over Elon Saturday night at Paladin Stadium.

Napier connected with split end Issac West on three of his four touchdown strikes, including a 78-yarder on the Paladins’ first offensive play to give Furman (1-1), last season's NCAA-IAA runner-up, a quick 7-0 lead. The duo later hooked up on scoring tosses covering 71 and 11 yards to help put the Paladins ahead 35-0 after the first quarter.

Furman’s 35-point first quarter matched the highest scoring quarter in school history, and West’s three touchdown receptions tied a school record held by two others. Napier, who completed 8-of-10 passes, exited the game along with many of Furman’s offensive starters early in the second quarter after fullback Al Means’ one-yard touchdown plunge put the Paladins ahead 42-0 at the 12:11 mark.

The Paladins closed out their first half scoring outburst when backup quarterback Bo Moore connected with Brian Bratton on a 9-yard touchdown pass with 0:36 left to make it 49-0.

Elon (1-1) avoided the shutout when backup quarterback James Murdaugh hit Kyle Belkoski on a 23-yard touchdown pass with 1:32 left in the game.

Furman rolled up 542 yards in offense, including 327 through the air. West’s three receptions went for touchdowns and accounted for 160 yards, and redshirt freshman tailback Brandon Mays paced all rushers with 88 yards on 15 carries.

Elon hosts Johnson C. Smith next Saturday in a 2 p.m. contest. Furman also returns to action next week when it travels to Richmond.

Game Box Score

--ELON--