GREENVILLE — A single explosive play set the tone Saturday and ultimately proved decisive as South Carolina State edged Furman 20-17 in the first meeting between the programs since 2015.
Big play on the first snap
The Bulldogs’ opening drive required only one play to make an imprint. Quarterback Keely Watson hit DJ Maultsby downfield for a 65-yard touchdown on the first snap from scrimmage, giving South Carolina State an immediate lead and establishing the deep-threat connection that kept Furman’s defense on its heels throughout the afternoon.
Maultsby finished with four receptions for 118 yards and that score, while Watson threw for 186 yards and one touchdown. Running back Josh Shaw helped sustain the attack with a 9-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and finished with 55 rushing yards.
Defensive stands and a late surge
South Carolina State, which entered the game unbeaten at 4-0 and ranked No. 18 in the Stats Perform poll, allowed its most points of the season but relied on timely defense and special teams to preserve the victory. Placekicker Jett Jackson added a 28-yard field goal with 3:03 remaining to push the margin back to 11 and provide a cushion when Furman staged a late rally.
Furman closed the gap with three field goals by Nathan Chapman and, after an injury to starter Jake Garcia, saw reserve quarterback Connor Ackerley ignite a two-minute comeback. Ackerley connected on a 67-yard touchdown pass to Luke Shields, then found Daniel Haughton for a successful two-point conversion to make it a three-point game with 2:47 to play.
Despite the momentum swing, Furman couldn’t convert again late enough to overtake the Bulldogs, who kept the Paladins to just 53 rushing yards.
Standout performances and depth impact
Maultsby’s deep touchdown was the game’s most notable offensive moment, but South Carolina State’s balanced effort included the ground work of Shaw and steadiness from Watson after Furman began to apply pressure in the second half. Ackerley compiled 164 passing yards and an aerial touchdown in relief, while Shields paced Furman with seven catches for 133 yards.
| Team | Key stat | Notable player |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina State | 20 points; 118 receiving yards (Maultsby) | DJ Maultsby |
| Furman | 17 points; 133 receiving yards (Shields) | Luke Shields |
What this means moving forward
The Bulldogs, who are the defending HBCU national champions, improved to 4-0 and will travel to face Bethune-Cookman next Saturday. Furman, now 2-2, prepares for a trip to Richmond in its next outing.
- Momentum: South Carolina State keeps an unbeaten start and maintains national HBCU title expectations.
- Depth tested: Furman’s substitution at quarterback yielded results but arrived too late to change the outcome.
- Defensive note: Bulldogs limited Furman’s rushing attack to 53 yards, a factor that balanced the big passing plays allowed.
The meeting marked the programs’ first matchup in more than a decade and provided a regional scoreboard narrative: an HBCU power on the rise visiting an FCS program with late-game offensive pop. For South Carolina State, the result affirms a strong start and the ability to close out tight contests away from home. For Furman, the game highlighted both resilience and the need for earlier offensive consistency.
Final statistics underline how singular plays can define a game: Maultsby’s long touchdown accounted for more than half of his receiving yardage and set a tone that the Bulldogs never fully surrendered, even when the Paladins mounted a late comeback.
Coaches from both programs will turn quickly to preparations for next week’s opponents, with South Carolina State eyeing a continuation of its unbeaten run and Furman seeking a response in Richmond.
