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ELON, N.C. – With the 2018 Elon football season approaching, get to know the Phoenix's upcoming opponents with our preview series sponsored by Courtyard by Marriott. In week two of the season, the Phoenix will take on the Furman Paladins for the third time in less than a year. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium on Sept. 8.
 
FURMAN PALADINS
Location: Greenville, S.C.
Home stadium: Paladin Stadium
Conference: Southern Conference
2017 record: 8-5
2017 conference record/finish: 6-2 (T-2nd)
2017 Postseason: FCS Second Round
All-Time series: USF leads 12-7
Head coach: Clay Hendrix (2nd season)
Letterwinners returning/lost: N/A
Offensive/Defensive starters returning: N/A
Top returning offensive players: 
• RB Kealand Dirks (152 att., 720 yds., 4.7 ypc, 9 TD)
• WR Thomas Gordon (32 receptions, 717 yds., 1 TD)
• RB Darius Morehead (95 att., 588 yds., 5 TD)
Top returning defensive players: 
• DB Bryan Okeh (83 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1 FR)
• LB Elijah McKoy (81 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 FF)
• LB Chris Washington (66 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks)

2018 Schedule
Sept. 1 at Clemson
Sept. 8 at Elon
Sept. 15 vs. Colgate
Sept. 22 at East Tennessee State*
Sept. 29 vs. Western Carolina*
Oct. 13 vs. Wofford*
Oct. 20 vs. Samford*
Oct. 27 at The Citadel*
Nov. 3 vs. Chattanooga*
Nov. 10 at VMI*
Nov. 17 at Mercer*
 
A Glance at the Paladins
In his second season at his alma mater, Clay Hendrix will try to guide Furman to a second straight FCS Playoff appearance in 2018.

Furman's offense ranked 22nd in the nation last year by averaging 32.6 points per game. The Paladins put up an average of 423.6 yards per outing a year ago to rate 26th nationally. Gone from that team are four first-team All-Southern Conference performers, including leading rusher Antonio Wilcox who ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns in the two meetings against the Phoenix last season. The Paladins will also have to replace quarterback PJ Blazejowski who ranked second nationally in both yards per completion and passing efficiency in 2017. Despite the losses, Furman returns a talented offense that includes a pair of running backs who each rushed for more than 550 yards and combined for 14 touchdowns in Kealand Dirks and Darius Morehead.

On defense, Furman allowed 23.9 points and 377.0 yards per game last year. The unit brings back two all-league players in defensive lineman Jaylan Reid and defensive back Aaquil Annoor. Reid led the team with 8.5 tackles for a loss, while Annoor was tied for the team lead with a pair of interceptions. Furman will have to replace leading tackler Reynard Ellis who finished the season with 92 total tackles, including 5.0 for a loss and 2.0 sacks.

In 2017, Furman dropped its first three games, including a 34-31 decision to Elon in Greenville, before reeling off seven consecutive victories. After ending the regular season with a 26-20 loss at #13 Samford, Furman advanced to the FCS Playoffs. The Phoenix and Paladins met for the second time on the year in the opening round. This time, a blocked extra point proved to be decisive as the #22 Paladins held off #15 Elon by a 28-27 margin at Rhodes Stadium. Furman's season came to a close the next week with a 28-10 defeat at #8 Wofford.
 
Matchup
Including the two games last year, Elon and Furman have met 19 times on the gridiron. The Paladins hold a 12-7 edge in the series and the road team has won each of the last five games. The series began with a 33-0 Furman win in 1920. The two did not meet again until 1997, a game won by the Paladins by a 38-20 margin. Elon and Furman met every year from 1999-2013 before the two contests in 2017. Elon has won six of the last eight meetings.