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Could the Furman Game Define the ETSU Football Program?
Kickoff is 1 pm Eastern in Johnson City
Historically, when the East Tennessee State Buccaneers play Furman on the gridiron, the Paladins win.
Furman has a 26–8 lifetime record against the Buccaneers, which is hardly surprising considering the comparative football histories the two programs have had.
But on those occasions when ETSU has defeated Furman, it has often paved the way to something bigger.
In 1986, when ETSU defeated third-ranked Furman 25–13, the victory was a springboard to a winning season, hardly commonplace for the Bucs of that era.
More recently, in 2018 ETSU’s 29–27 victory against Furman was the springboard to the Bucs’ first conference title in 37 seasons.
And similar gains could be had with an ETSU (1–0) victory in Johnson City Saturday afternoon at 1 pm.
Fifteenth-ranked Furman (2–1) is a nine point favorite, but if common opponents are any kind of basis for analysis then both teams have enjoyed seven point victories against Samford this season.
The only catch is ETSU won theirs in regulation, 24–17 on February 20, whereas Furman needed overtime to defeat the Bulldogs 44–37 last week.
