FCS-CFB Game Preview: Furman Paladins (1-1) vs. Campbell Fighting Camels (0-2)

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Venue & Game Info

Kickoff: 3:30 PM ET

Location: Barker–Lane Stadium, Buies Creek, North Carolina

Broadcast: FloCollege (subscription) Radio: The Fan Upstate (97.7 FM/1330 AM Greenville; 97.1 FM/950 AM Spartanburg)

Notable: First-ever football meeting between the two programs

Weather Outlook (Buies Creek, NC — Sept. 13)

Forecast: Mostly sunny

Temperature at Kickoff: ~82°F, “feels like” mid-80s

Humidity: ~60%

Wind: Light SSW at 5–7 mph

Precipitation:

Impact: Warm but not extreme; minimal weather effect on passing/kicking

Injury & Availability Report

Furman:

No major starters ruled out

RB Gavin Hall (119 rush yds, 2 TDs) healthy

RB Jayquan Smith (2 TDs) available after long injury layoff

QB Trey Hedden (50/69, 442 yds, 2 TDs) healthy; spreading targets among five primary receivers

Campbell:

No confirmed absences for key starters

QB Hajj-Malik Williams healthy; veteran dual-threat leader

WR Jalen Kelsey (team-high receptions) available

Recent Form

Furman:

L 39–38 (OT) vs. Presbyterian — blew late lead after lightning delay

W 23–21 vs. William & Mary — balanced offense, strong first half

Campbell:

L 56–3 at East Carolina — struggled offensively vs. FBS opponent

L 31–20 vs. Rhode Island — competitive early, but defense wore down

Series History

All-Time: First meeting

Note: Campbell in its third season in the CAA after moving from the Big South; Furman facing second CAA opponent of 2025

Betting Trends

Furman: 2–3 ATS in last 5; 4–1 SU in last 5 road openers

Campbell: 1–4 ATS in last 5; 0–5 SU in last 5 overall

Over is 3–2 in Furman’s last 5; Under is 3–2 in Campbell’s last 5

Game Odds

Furman Paladins                              – 7.5

Campbell Fighting Camels           53.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025

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Profile: A dedicated college football analyst with a deep understanding of the sport’s tactical complexity, recruiting landscape, and conference‑wide dynamics. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage of the NCAA football season, blending film study, statistical insight, and historical context to explain how programs evolve from Week 1 through bowl season and the College Football Playoff. Background: With extensive experience covering Division I football, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on coaching trends, roster construction, and player development. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking long‑term program trajectories across all major conferences. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and tactical matchups Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Recruiting analysis, transfer‑portal movement, and roster‑building strategy Coaching philosophies, scheme evolution, and conference‑wide trends Historical context, rivalry features, and postseason analysis Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes, advanced metrics, and recruiting data into insights that resonate with both long‑time college football fans and new followers of the sport. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the tradition, passion, and unpredictability that define NCAA football.