Mercer University
1-0
Reinhardt
0-1
Football Holds Off Reinhardt in 2014 Season Opener
8/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
MACON, Ga. – For the second-straight year the Mercer University football team had its season opener decided in the final seconds, escaping with a 45-42 victory over Reinhardt in front of 10,025 fans at Mercer University Stadium on Thursday night.
The Bears once again used a long, decisive drive to seal the victory, covering 89 yards on just six plays in the closing minutes of the game. Alex Lakes capped off the drive with his second rushing touchdown of the night, a six-yard score with 2:51 remaining.
Reinhardt nearly stole the show though, driving inside Mercer's 25-yard line in the closing seconds. However, one of the Eagles' two missed field goals on the night decided the contest, as the 43-yard attempt went wide right to help the Bears win a game that featured 10 lead changes.
"I want to give credit to our kids for not giving up," head coach Bobby Lamb said. "Reinhardt gave us all we could handle and we hung in there in the fourth quarter and finally made enough plays to get the win."
Lakes ran for a game-high 110 yards in his Mercer debut, helping the Bears compile 492 yards of total offense in the contest. John Russ had a strong showing as well, finishing 16-of-22 for 246 yards and three scores through the air to go along with 51 yards rushing.
After trading scores in the first quarter, both offenses opened up in the second stanza. The two teams combined for 31 points in the period, as all five completed drives resulted in scores. Mercer took advantage of the last opportunity of the half with Russ hitting JT Palmer on a 10-yard slant for a touchdown to hand the Bears a three-point halftime edge, 24-21.
Reinhardt wasted no time erasing the deficit, scoring just 15 seconds into the second half thanks in large part to a 92-yard kick-off return by LJ Stegall. The two teams continued to play evenly over the rest of the half, until the Eagles grabbed a 42-38 lead on Niagel Curtis' 21-yard score at the start of the fourth quarter. The lead would hold until Mercer's game-winning drive late in the contest.
Mercer's receiving corp combined for nearly 250 yards receiving and three touchdowns, as Russ hit eight different targets on the evening. Freshmen Chandler Curtis, who also had a 91-yard kick-off return for a touchdown, and Avery Ward each hauled in scores in their collegiate debut.
Macon native Tyler Ward was all over the field, picking up where he left off with a game-high 14 tackles. Devin Davidson added seven tackles and a forced fumble, while defensive back Jeremy James tallied four tackles and a pair of pass break-ups.
The Bears will put their 12-game home winning streak, dating back to the 1940's, on the line when Southern Conference powerhouse Furman rolls into town on September 6. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m.
Team Stats
REIN 0, MER 7
MER - Alex Lakes 3 yd run (Tyler Zielenske kick), 7 plays, 78 yards, TOP 2:13
REIN 7, MER 7
REIN - Ian McIntosh 2 yd run (Ryan Hopper kick), 8 plays, 33 yards, TOP 2:15
REIN 7, MER 10
MER - Tyler Zielenske 24 yd field goal 12 plays, 67 yards, TOP 5:00
REIN 14, MER 10
REIN - Nathen Lingo 28 yd run (Ryan Hopper kick), 5 plays, 62 yards, TOP 2:05
REIN 14, MER 17
MER - Avery Ward 9 yd pass from John Russ (Tyler Zielenske kick) 9 plays, 59 yards, TOP 3:36
REIN 21, MER 17
REIN - Sam Jones 62 yd pass from J. Chamblee (Ryan Hopper kick) 3 plays, 82 yards, TOP 0:42
REIN 21, MER 24
MER - JT Palmer 10 yd pass from John Russ (Tyler Zielenske kick) 9 plays, 79 yards, TOP 3:03
REIN 28, MER 24
REIN - Niagel Curtis 10 yd run (Ryan Hopper kick), 1 plays, 10 yards, TOP 0:03
REIN 28, MER 31
MER - Chandler Curtis 13 yd pass from John Russ (Tyler Zielenske kick) 5 plays, 57 yards, TOP 2:44
REIN 35, MER 31
REIN - Sharrod Pittman 0 yd fumble recovery (Ryan Hopper kick)
REIN 35, MER 38
MER - Chandler Curtis 91 yd kickoff return (Tyler Zielenske kick)
REIN 42, MER 38
REIN - Niagel Curtis 21 yd run (Ryan Hopper kick), 10 plays, 74 yards, TOP 3:23
REIN 42, MER 45
MER - Alex Lakes 6 yd run (Tyler Zielenske kick), 6 plays, 89 yards, TOP 2:32
