SAN ANTONIO – After seeing their 14-point second-half lead evaporate midway through the fourth quarter, UIW didn’t blink.
Quarterback Lindsey Scott Jr. hit Kole Wilson for the game-winning 32-yard touchdown with 1:54 left, and Elliott Davison secured the victory with an interception on the ensuing drive, as the Cardinals defeated Furman 41-38 in the second round of the FCS Playoffs at Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Despite a pair of uncharacteristic interceptions including a pick-six, Scott was brilliant under center throughout the first half. He found wide receiver Darion Charin three times on touchdown passes of 21-, 80- and 27 yards to give UIW a 21-17 lead early in the second quarter. Scott then lobbed a deep ball up to Taylor Grimes for a 42-yard score, and the Cardinals entered halftime with a 28-17 advantage. Grimes and Chafin combined to catch 19 passes for 278 yards and four scores.
Following a Carson Mohr field goal, it appeared that UIW was in control of the game up 31-17 early in the third quarter. From that point forward, Furman slowly chipped away at the lead until the Paladins vaulted back in front with a Tyler Huff one-yard touchdown run with 6:55 to play. The Cardinals had two opportunities to take the lead back, and they finally broke through on Scott’s TD strike to Wilson. Scott’s final stat-line: 33-of-49, 394 yards and five touchdowns. He was also the team’s leading rusher with 23 carries for 139 yards. In the victory, Scott set the FCS single-season record for touchdowns with 62. Running back Marcus Cooper posted 111 yards on 22 carries.
WHAT A GAME! @UIWFootball survives a Furman rally to win 41-38 and advance to the #FCSPlayoffs Quarterfinals for the first time in program history! #KSATsports@UIWAthletics @_lj18_