Furman University upended DI South Carolina 22-14 this past weekend, opening up a first-half lead and holding off the Gamecocks.

This was the third straight win by Furman over DI opposition. Freshman flanker RJ Bradley put the Paladins ahead when he picked up at the base of the ruck and pushed over. Sophomore Jacob Milchuck added the conversion. Five minutes later, Milchuck added a penalty kick to put Furman ahead 10-0.

Around 32 minutes into the first half, the Paladins struck again when sophomore prop Jeff Tonge powered over from a set penalty play to make it 15-0.

The Gamecocks rallied, as you'd expect them to, and their try ten minutes into the second half made it 15-7. But Furman replied just three minutes later, when sophomore No. 8 Patrick Musau sliced through several USC defenders to extend the Paladins lead to 22-7. The Gamecocks scored again with 12 minutes remaining to make it 22-14, and had several scoring opportunities, but mistakes cost them.

“We took better of advantage of the wind than they did and I think that won the day,” said Furman Coach John Roberts. “We played well on offense in the first half and good defense in the second.”

Roberts, a University of South Carolina alumni and former club president for Gamecock rugby, said he was grateful for the opportunity to host a top 25 D1 team.

“USC has a tremendous program and I have watched them with great pride as Mark (USC Coach Mark Morris) has constructed a winning tradition there,” said Roberts. “I know they were down a few starters. We look forward to returning the favor next year with a game in Columbia.”