It has now been 16 years since Furman football was realistically relevant nationally. In 2004 the Paladins season ended with a heartbreaking 1 point loss in PS to James Madison. The following year in 2005 an even more gut wrenching loss to App. St in Boone cost us a spot in the National Championship game and most likely another national championship. In fact Furman was arguably the best team in the country in ‘04 and ‘05. The ‘05 game was the famous slip on the ice game. Who would have thought at the time that FU’s national relevance and so called glory days would end on that cold December day in Kidd-Brewer stadium. Even though the landscape has changed dramatically in the last 16 years it wasn’t immediate in the mid 2000’s but the slow decline started the next year with an 8-4 record, then 6-5 in ‘07. The 2005 team finished 11-3. Hard to believe that was the last time Furman has won more than 8 games in a season. Just doesn’t compute to me but it is reality. Just glad I was there for the ride. Always hoping and pulling hard for the Paladins but sadly I think the deck is stacked against us now to return to the glory days. Only time will tell but we always have hope be it realistic or not. Go ‘dins!