Furman finishes with a flourish to defeat Mercer 38-14 in SoCon opener

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- , Tyler Huff threw for 168 yards and a touchdown, four teammates scored rushing touchdowns, and Furman defeated Mercer 38-14 on Saturday in a Southern Conference opener. Furman (3-1 and ranked No. 7 in the FCS coaches poll) led 17-14 in the third quarter before putting the game away with touchdowns on three consecutive drives. Myion Hicks scored on a 1-yard run, Huff hit Mason Pline for a 10-yard TD pass, and Jayquan Smith closed out the scoring with a 20-yard run. Dominic Roberto and Wayne Anderson scored rushing touchdowns to help the Paladins build a 17-0 lead with 1 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter. Anderson's touchdown was set up by Luke Shiflett 's recovery of a muffed punt at the Mercer 13-yard line. But Mercer (2-2 and ranked No.