By SCOTT FELTS
The Opponent: FURMAN
When: Saturday, September 5
Where: Neyland Stadium
When you hear the word “Paladins,” you might picture a noble medieval knight riding into battle on a white horse. What you actually get with the Furman Paladins is a bunch of guys from Greenville, South Carolina, who haven’t slain a dragon since… well, it’s been a while. Furman hasn’t defeated a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent since 2015, and you’ve got to go back to the 1990s to find its last win over a power conference opponent – North Carolina in 1999.
Nonetheless, these Paladins still are going to try to invade Neyland like it’s the Crusades.
Just ask ETSU, which led Furman 22-7 early in the third quarter last season but lost 31-22 after 24 straight Paladin points, including a 95-yard pick 6 to end the game and 358 passing yards by QB Trey Hedden.
Coach Background
Clay Hendrix (60-43) is beginning his 10th season as Furman’s head coach A former Paladin player and assistant, Hendrix has rebuilt the program since taking over in late 2016, leading Furman to a pair of 10-win seasons, four appearances in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, two Southern Conference titles, and an overall return to relevance.
Staff Fact
Running backs coach Cory Colder is an ETSU alum and was part of the first recruiting class as football there revived heading into the 2015 campaign.
Quarterback Preview
Hedden transferred to New Mexico State after throwing for 2,967 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. The competition to be QB1 for the Paladins includes Jake Garcia (6-2, 210), a graduate transfer who spent last season at Michigan after previous stops at Miami, Missouri (where he didn’t play), and East Carolina. Garcia threw for 1,426 yards and eight scores at ECU in 2024. Redshirt junior Neuhel Garcia (6-0, 202) is the only returnee in the QB corps, and his experience is minimal. The other options are redshirt sophomore Connor Ackerley (6-0, 170, 2,999 yards, 30 TD, 12 INT), a transfer from Division II Western New Mexico; and freshmen Banks Bouton (6-2, 205) and Trey Smith (6-0, 205), who both enrolled early so they could go through spring practice.
Key Offensive Player
WR Devin Hester, Jr., (5-9, 176), a junior out of Chattanooga, is no relation to the Football Hall of Famer with the same name, but his game has similarities. He’s Furman’s top returning receiver, making 23 grabs for 313 yards and a score, and – like his not-really-but weirdly-coincidental namesake – is a threat in the kicking game, doing the bulk of the kickoff return work, including a 75-yard sprint in the 2025 season opener that set up a touchdown.
Key Defensive Player
DE Joshua Stoneking is a game-wrecker who earned national recognition in 2025, leading the FCS in both sacks (14.5) and tackles for loss (23) while posting 79 tackles. His pass-rush ability will be key for Furman, and arguably gives the Paladins their best chance to disrupt Tennessee’s offense, especially with a new quarterback on the field.
X-Factor
Chad Byers’ defense. Byers was elevated to the coordinator role in February after serving as co-coordinator and inside linebackers coach. He has been on staff since 2020. Furman’s unit, already stout under prior leadership, could create negative plays and force Tennessee into uncomfortable situations early.
Key Number
76, as in, the number of points the Paladins yielded last season in a 76-0 rout by Ole Miss. Furman has been outscored 313-97 in its past six games against SEC opponents dating back to 2006.
How Furman Can Win
Furman wins (or keeps it close) by winning the turnover battle, leveraging Stoneking’s pass rush to harass the Vols’ new QB, and generating explosive plays on limited possessions. If they control the clock with some run game balance and avoid three-and-outs, they can manufacture points and hope for special teams or defensive scores. Realistic path: Stay within striking distance into the second half and capitalize on any Tennessee mistakes or defensive growing pains under new DC Jim Knowles. This might be the season opener for both teams but Furman poses a classic “trap game” risk for a Tennessee team that’s breaking in a new QB and defensive staff.
How Furman Can Lose
Furman loses big if Tennessee’s talent advantage overwhelms them on both lines, the Paladins quarterback (whoever it is) faces consistent pressure leading to mistakes, and the offense cannot sustain drives. Early deficits often snowball against Power 5 teams given their superior speed and depth. Penalties, missed assignments on defense, and failing to contain Tennessee’s run game would accelerate a blowout.
Prediction: Tennessee 45, Furman 10.
This should be a relatively straightforward blowout after a potentially competitive first quarter. Furman will move the ball at times, but Tennessee’s defensive front eventually should wear them down, Stoneking can be neutralized by double teams or running back chip blocks, and the Vols pull away in the second half with balanced scoring drives and big plays. Expect Tennessee to score on most second-half possessions while Furman’s offense stalls against fresher, faster defenders. A solid but not flawless opening performance for the Vols. Also a factor is the week two opponent for the Vols, Georgia Tech. If the Vols over-prepare for the Yellow Jackets, Furman could hang around.