July 29, 2003


FURMAN CONSENSUS NO. 2 IN SOCON POLLS;
NINE PALADINS TABBED PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman is a consensus No. 2 pick in a pair of Southern Conference polls and nine Paladins have been named to the preseason all-conference squad, it was announced today at the SoCon Rouser held at Greenville's Hyatt-Regency.

In the media poll, Georgia Southern earned 30 of 33 first place votes to lead the way with 293 points followed by Furman with two first place votes and 250 points. Appalachian State registered the other first place marker to finish third with 236 points, and Wofford was fourth in the poll with 170 points, just ahead of fifth place Western Carolina with 168 points. The Citadel (150), East Tennessee State (81), Chattanooga (76), and Elon (61) rounded out the media poll.

The coaches' poll also named Georgia Southern as the preseason favorite as the Eagles garnered eight first place votes to finish with 64 points. Furman and Appalachian State finished tied for second with 52 points each, followed by Western Carolina in fourth with 42 points, Wofford (39), The Citadel (26), Chattanooga (21), East Tennessee State (17), and Elon (11).

Despite sporting only five seniors on its roster, Furman led all league teams with nine preseason All-Southern Conference selections, including three first team honorees: junior wide receiver Isaac West, junior tight end Willis Sudderth, and senior placekicker Danny Marshall. Named to the second team were six juniors, including offensive tackle Ben Bainbridge, center Craig Morgan, return specialist Brian Bratton, defensive end Travis Jones, linebacker Cedrick Ritter, and free safety Cam Newton.

West, caught 39 passes for 708 yards and seven touchdowns in 2002 despite missing almost four full games with a fractured collarbone, and Sudderth earned a second straight all-conference scroll a year ago after catching eight passes for 108 yards a score while also developing into a solid blocker. Marshall, meanwhile, recorded his third consecutive solid campaign in 2002 by converting 12-of-15 field goals on the way to a team leading 75 points. He is only 16 points shy of setting a new Furman career kick scoring standard.

Furman posted an 8-4 record and No. 9 final national ranking in 2002 under first-year head coach Bobby Lamb. The Paladins report for preseason camp on August 7 and begin practice on August 8 with a 5:30 p.m. session in shorts and helmets. Furman kicks off its season on August 30 when it hosts Elon in a 7:00 p.m. game.

Pictured: Seniors Hindley Brigham (left) and Brandon Poole answer questions Tuesday at the 2003 Southern Conference Football Rouser in Greenville.

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE COACHES PRESEASON POLL

Rank
Team (First Place Votes)
Points
1)
Georgia Southern (8) 64
T2)
FURMAN 52
T2)
Appalachian State (1) 52
4) Western Carolina 42
5)
Wofford 39
6)
The Citadel 26
7)
Chattanooga 21
8)
East Tennessee State 17
9)
Elon 11

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE MEDIA PRESEASON POLL

Rank
Team (First Place Votes)
Points
1) Georgia Southern (30) 293
2) FURMAN (2) 250
3) Appalachian State (1) 236
4) Wofford 170
5) Western Carolina 168
6) The Citadel 150
7) East Tennessee State 81
8) Chattanooga 76
9) Elon 61

FURMAN PRESEASON ALL-SOUTHERN CONFERENCE SELECTIONS

WR Issac West (1st Team)
TE Willis Sudderth (1st Team)
PK Danny Marshall (1st Team)
OT Ben Bainbrdige (2nd Team)
C Craig Morgan (2nd Team)
RS Brian Bratton (2nd Team)
DL Travis Jones (2nd Team)
LB Cedrick Ritter (2nd Team)
CB Cam Newton (2nd Team)