The 2017 FCS Playoffs are here and we've got game-by-game wrap ups.
[divider]COMPARE: Any Two FCS Players | Any Two FCS Teams[divider]
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Furman 28Elon 27 |
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Next up: Furman (8-4) at Wofford (9-2) COMPARE: Furman vs. Wofford |
THE STANDOUTS
PLAYER OF THE GAME: P.J. Blazejowski (176 yards passing, 2 TDs, 55 yards rushing – 1 TDs).
THE TURNING POINT
This one is easy, folks. When true freshman defensive end Landon Lawrence put up his paw to try to get a chunk of Elon's extra-point attempt to tie the game with 11 minutes left, he didn't fail. He knocked the kick down and that became the deciding factor in a game that went back-and-forth all day.[divider]
THE SKINNY
We got what we expected here, gang. The first installment of this 2017 'series' came in early September when Elon knocked off the Paladins on a field goal with five seconds remaining in the game. Obviously the two teams are evenly matched and they both had chunks of this game where they had the momentum, only to have another big play switch things around. It was fitting that it was settled on a big special teams play. Elon was the king of winning close games this year when it was on its eight games in a row from week two (Furman) to week eight (overtime win over Towson). The Phoenix finished on a three-game losing streak but returns a ton of talent next year, starting with true freshman QB Davis Cheek.
PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK
When Furman traveled to Spartanburg (S.C.) to take on nearby rival Wofford on Sept. 2, it went down to the wire just like the earlier Elon game did. Furman scored with 46 seconds remaining in the game and went for the win on a two-point conversion pass that the Terriers intercepted, instead of kicking the extra point to tie it and send it to overtime. Expect exactly that kind of intensity again. Also keep in mind that Furman has improved drastically since September.
THE PREDICTION
Furman gets revenge for earlier this year, 28-24
