If I had to guess, I think made a statistically justifiable call that backfired.
Furman definitely has a "block" and a "safe" (or whatever they call them) on the kick block team. When Furman is really coming after the ball, you'll see Blackshear and Brinson screaming off the edge. Here's their full block mode against Mercer.
Elon was in a pretty clear kick situation - second quarter, defensive battle, a field goal brings the game within 1 score.
Elon probably expected Furman to come after the kick. If Furman sent Brinson and Blackshear like they did against Mercer, the little lateral pass play may well have worked for a touchdown. Brinson and Blackshear would have run right by the kicker.
Furman did what they did against Wofford, though, which was hang back their edge guys anticipating a fake.
Elon's coach is going to catch a lot of heat for that particular call because of how badly it went. I suspect it was a justifiable call, Furman just didn't do what Elon thought they would do.