Furman football's 1988 national championship under coach Jimmy Satterfield was historic: a 13–2 squad defeated Georgia Southern 17–12 in the championship game, making Furman the first private school to win an NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) title. Satterfield was named AFCA Coach of the Year. That victory permanently elevated Furman from regional contender to national champion.

But Furman has never captured a second title, though the Paladins have come agonizingly close. In 1985, Dick Sheridan's 12–2 team reached the national championship game under the SoCon title but fell short to Georgia Southern. In 2001, perhaps the most painful near-miss: a 12–3 Furman squad knocked out Georgia Southern's 39-game home playoff win streak (24–17) before losing to Montana 13–6 in the championship game. That 2001 team proved the Paladins could still contend nationally, but fell one win short.

Over 135+ years, Furman's rivalry with Wofford (since 1889) remains Deep South's Oldest Football Rivalry. The Paladins lead the all-time series 56–36–7. In recent seasons under coach Clay Hendrix (2017–2025, 54–37 record), Furman has maintained Southern Conference competitiveness while seeking the next breakthrough to national championship contention. The 2025 season finished 5–5, a reminder that consistency is harder than dominance. But the legacy of 1988 and the near-miss of 2001 ensure that Paladins football will always chase that championship dream.