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Williamsburg Today
By the People, for the People
Furman Edges William & Mary in Season Opener
Taylen Blaylock's defensive heroics lift Paladins to narrow victory over Tribe
Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:49am
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In a close season-opening matchup, the Furman Paladins defeated the William & Mary Tribe 23-21 thanks to a standout performance from defensive back Taylen Blaylock. Blaylock opened the scoring with a 43-yard interception return touchdown and then made two crucial plays late to secure the win for Furman.
Why it matters
This early-season clash between two competitive FCS programs sets the tone for the rest of their respective seasons. William & Mary was hoping to start strong after a disappointing 2025 campaign, while Furman looks to build on last year's success and make a push for the playoffs.
The details
Blaylock's first big play came in the first quarter when he jumped a pass route and raced 43 yards to the end zone to give Furman an early lead. Later in the game, with William & Mary driving for a potential game-tying score, Blaylock broke up a pass on 4th down to force a turnover on downs. He then intercepted a desperation heave on the final play to seal the victory for the Paladins.
- The game was played on September 2, 2026.
- Blaylock's 43-yard pick-6 came in the first quarter.
The players
Taylen Blaylock
A senior defensive back for the Furman Paladins who made several key plays to lead his team to victory.
Furman Paladins
The FCS football team from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina.
William & Mary Tribe
The FCS football team from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
What they’re saying
“Taylen really set the tone for us with that early pick-6. That was a huge momentum swing and got our defense fired up.”
— Clay Hendrix, Furman Head Coach
What’s next
Furman will look to build on this win when they host Wofford next Saturday, while William & Mary will try to bounce back at home against Richmond.
The takeaway
This hard-fought season opener showcased the defensive talent of Taylen Blaylock and demonstrated the competitiveness of both the Furman Paladins and William & Mary Tribe programs as they begin their 2026 campaigns.
