Usually when Furman plays UNC-Wilmington it’s a game that means a lot; often it means the Southern Conference championship.

This weekend, things are a little different. With Furman already 2-1, and UNC-W 2-0, it might actually be a game about survival. 

Furman has already lost to Coastal Carolina, which leads the Southern-South 3-0. With the playoffs between the South and North divisions of the Southern, some strong team is going to miss out on the semis on November 7.

“This is a very big game for us,” said Furman Head Coach John Roberts. “We have a very competitive conference, I think the most competitive conference in DII. There are three teams - Coastal, Wilmington, and Furman -- that are grouped in the South region, and all three, I feel, are legit top-ten teams. Only two advance to our playoffs. On any given day, I feel, any one of these teams are capable of beating the others.”

Furman did not play their best against Coastal and, said Roberts, “they outplayed us, particularly in the final ten minutes. That game exposed some weaknesses and we have worked hard to remedy those weaknesses. We have held joint practices with [DI team] Clemson this week in an effort to shore those up. I think these practices have made us better.”

Wilmington is strong, though, and in fact is ranked #6 in the Goff Rugby Report DII rankings, while Furman is ranked #27.

“They are experienced, well-coached, and anxious to avenge their loss to us last year,” said Roberts. “I expect our contest to very competitive. For us to have a chance, our new guys in the tight five, which include three first-year players, will have to step up. And we must play our best game. Our guys understand this.”