Saturday, October 14
Macon, Ga.
3:30 p.m.
Mercer University
4-3 , 3-0
30
vs
10
Chattanooga
1-6 , 1-3
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Chattanooga
0
3
0
7
10
Mercer
0
13
10
7
30
Team Stats
UTC
MER
Total Yards
250
316
Pass Yards
206
232
Rushing Yards
44
84
Penalty Yards
97
93
1st Downs
14
20
3rd Downs
2
4
4th Downs
1
0
TOP
29:03
30:57
2nd Quarter
UTC 3, MER 0
UTC - Victor Ulmo 44 yd field goal 13 plays, 61 yards, TOP 6:03
UTC 3, MER 6
MER - Marquise Irvin 33 yd pass from Kaelan Riley (Cole Fisher kickfailed) 4 plays, 66 yards, TOP 1:22
UTC 3, MER 13
MER - Chandler Curtis 22 yd pass from Kaelan Riley (Cole Fisher kick) 9 plays, 65 yards, TOP 2:55
3rd Quarter
UTC 3, MER 20
MER - CJ Leggett 3 yd run (Cole Fisher kick), 7 plays, 61 yards, TOP 3:28
UTC 3, MER 23
MER - Cole Fisher 23 yd field goal 9 plays, 58 yards, TOP 4:57
4th Quarter
UTC 10, MER 23
UTC - Darrell Bridges 5 yd run (Victor Ulmo kick), 9 plays, 53 yards, TOP 1:52
UTC 10, MER 30
MER - Tee Mitchell 6 yd run (Cole Fisher kick), 1 plays, 6 yards, TOP 0:06
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
20
TD
2
YDS
232
INT
0
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
K
/ Football
DB
/ Football
K/P
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballQB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
WR
/ FootballPhoto by: Judy Stapleton
Mercer Stifles Chattanooga, 30-10, in Home Win
10/14/2017 8:18:00 PM | Football
Bears shine defensively as Kaelan Riley leads the offense
MACON, Ga. – Mercer held Chattanooga to 44 rushing yards in a hard-nosed defensive effort as the Bears powered their way to a 30-10 Southern Conference win at Five Star Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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Kaelan Riley completed 20-of-27 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns to help Mercer win its third straight game and improve to 4-3 (3-2 SoCon). Chattanooga fell to 1-6 (1-3 SoCon) with its third consecutive loss.
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Turning Point
Riley hit Chandler Curtis for a 22-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, capping a nine-play, 65-yard drive that gave Mercer a 10-point advantage heading into halftime. It was one of two first-half touchdowns by Mercer, which scored 23 unanswered points before Chattanooga found the end zone for the first time with 6:24 remaining.
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It Was Over When
Malique Fleming intercepted Chattanooga's Cole Copeland near the Mercer goal line with 11 minutes remaining in the game, halting one of the Mocs' few scoring opportunities of the contest.
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Stat of the Game
The Bears' three-game conference win streak is their longest since joining the SoCon in 2014. Mercer has defeated VMI, The Citadel and Chattanooga by a combined 65 points over the last three weeks.
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Offensive Star
Calhoun, Ga., natives Kaelan Riley and Chandler Curtis starred offensively as Mercer's passing game dominated. Riley completed 74 percent of his passes and tied a career-high with 20 completions while Curtis caught a game-high eight passes for 77 yards and one touchdown.
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Defensive Standout
Isaiah Buehler totaled five tackles (three solo) while notching his second solo sack of the season. The redshirt junior defensive end added two quarterback hurries and one tackle for loss.
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How It Happened
Neither team was able to put points on the board in the first quarter, as they combined for 111 total yards of offense. Chattanooga struck first with a 44-yard field goal by Victor Ulmo just six seconds into the second quarter. The kick capped a 13-play, 61-yard drive that lasted 6:03 for the Mocs.
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Mercer quickly responded with a four-play, 66-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 33-yard dime from Kalen Riley to Marquise Irvin, his third touchdown reception of the season. The Bears' defense would hold Chattanooga to 31 offense yards on the following three drives before Mercer struck again on offense, this time a 22-yard touchdown pass from Riley to Chandler Curtis. Mercer entered halftime with a 13-3 lead.
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After halting Chattanooga's offense for the fifth straight drive to open the second half, Mercer drove 61 yards on seven plays and found the end zone with a three-yard touchdown run by CJ Leggett. Two key pass interference calls on Chattanooga during the drive helped Mercer.
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A 23-yard field goal by Cole Fisher with 6:23 remaining in the third quarter extended Mercer's lead to 23-3. Chattanooga found the end zone for the first time on a five-yard touchdown run by Darrell Bridges with less than seven minutes remaining. The Mocs would turn the ball over on downs at their own six-yard line during their next drive, however, setting up a six-yard score by Tee Mitchell that closed the contest.
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Coach Lamb's Take
"I'm extremely happy for today's win. As you all know, this team [Chattanooga] beat us worse than anyone last year at their place, so today's win was a credit to how we practice all week and prepared. I can't say enough about our defense, they're playing so well right now.
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"I thought Kaelan [Riley] had a great day. We knew Chattanooga would be difficult to block, but Kaelan had a great day that started with a couple touchdown passes, including one to his buddy, Chandler Curtis. We're going to keep riding this wave; 1-0. We went 1-0 this week and we'll move forward looking to do the same."
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Notables
Team
» Saturday's win marks Mercer's first three-game winning streak in the Southern Conference.
» Mercer head coach Bobby Lamb improved to 10-3 in his career against Chattanooga.
» Mercer improved to 2-2 against Chattanooga in the modern era (2013-present).
Offense
» Riley's completion percentage of 74 percent is the third-highest mark in program history.
» Irvin's touchdown reception was the 12th of his career, tying him with teammate Avery Ward and former Bear JT Palmer for the second most in program history.
» Sam Walker hauled in a season-long 24-yard reception.
» Mercer tallied four plays of 15 yards or more in the first half, including touchdown passes of 33 and 22 yards.
» Six of the seven Bears who recorded a reception caught at least two passes. Curtis' eight receptions tie a career-high.
» Mercer registered only 84 rushing yards on 35 carries, but both Mitchell and Leggett found the end zone for the fourth straight game.
» Mercer was 3-of-4 in the red zone.
Defense
» Mercer held Chattanooga to 15 yards or less on nine of its 13 offensive drives.
» Ahmad Arnold, Travonte' Easley and Buehler notched one sack apiece, dropping Chattanooga for a combined loss of 27 yards. Arnold and Easley's sacks were the first of their careers.
» Fleming's interception was the first of his career.
» Chattanooga's 44 rushing yards are the fewest by a Mercer opponent this season and tied for seventh-fewest allowed in program history.
» Lee Bennett and Stephen Houzah registered a team-high seven tackles apiece.
Special Teams
» Chandler Curtis totaled a season-best 143 all-purpose yards as he added 40 yards on punt returns and 26 yards on kick returns.
» Cole Fisher avenged himself (missed extra point attempt and 32-yard field goal attempt) with a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter. His 32-yard miss was only the second time Mercer has failed to convert in the red zone this season.
» Grant Goupil averaged 40.2 yards on six punts, including three that were pinned inside the Chattanooga 20-yard line.
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Football, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerFootball (Twitter), /MercerFootball (Facebook) and @MercerFootball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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Kaelan Riley completed 20-of-27 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns to help Mercer win its third straight game and improve to 4-3 (3-2 SoCon). Chattanooga fell to 1-6 (1-3 SoCon) with its third consecutive loss.
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Turning Point
Riley hit Chandler Curtis for a 22-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, capping a nine-play, 65-yard drive that gave Mercer a 10-point advantage heading into halftime. It was one of two first-half touchdowns by Mercer, which scored 23 unanswered points before Chattanooga found the end zone for the first time with 6:24 remaining.
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It Was Over When
Malique Fleming intercepted Chattanooga's Cole Copeland near the Mercer goal line with 11 minutes remaining in the game, halting one of the Mocs' few scoring opportunities of the contest.
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Stat of the Game
The Bears' three-game conference win streak is their longest since joining the SoCon in 2014. Mercer has defeated VMI, The Citadel and Chattanooga by a combined 65 points over the last three weeks.
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Offensive Star
Calhoun, Ga., natives Kaelan Riley and Chandler Curtis starred offensively as Mercer's passing game dominated. Riley completed 74 percent of his passes and tied a career-high with 20 completions while Curtis caught a game-high eight passes for 77 yards and one touchdown.
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Defensive Standout
Isaiah Buehler totaled five tackles (three solo) while notching his second solo sack of the season. The redshirt junior defensive end added two quarterback hurries and one tackle for loss.
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How It Happened
Neither team was able to put points on the board in the first quarter, as they combined for 111 total yards of offense. Chattanooga struck first with a 44-yard field goal by Victor Ulmo just six seconds into the second quarter. The kick capped a 13-play, 61-yard drive that lasted 6:03 for the Mocs.
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Mercer quickly responded with a four-play, 66-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 33-yard dime from Kalen Riley to Marquise Irvin, his third touchdown reception of the season. The Bears' defense would hold Chattanooga to 31 offense yards on the following three drives before Mercer struck again on offense, this time a 22-yard touchdown pass from Riley to Chandler Curtis. Mercer entered halftime with a 13-3 lead.
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After halting Chattanooga's offense for the fifth straight drive to open the second half, Mercer drove 61 yards on seven plays and found the end zone with a three-yard touchdown run by CJ Leggett. Two key pass interference calls on Chattanooga during the drive helped Mercer.
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A 23-yard field goal by Cole Fisher with 6:23 remaining in the third quarter extended Mercer's lead to 23-3. Chattanooga found the end zone for the first time on a five-yard touchdown run by Darrell Bridges with less than seven minutes remaining. The Mocs would turn the ball over on downs at their own six-yard line during their next drive, however, setting up a six-yard score by Tee Mitchell that closed the contest.
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Coach Lamb's Take
"I'm extremely happy for today's win. As you all know, this team [Chattanooga] beat us worse than anyone last year at their place, so today's win was a credit to how we practice all week and prepared. I can't say enough about our defense, they're playing so well right now.
Â
"I thought Kaelan [Riley] had a great day. We knew Chattanooga would be difficult to block, but Kaelan had a great day that started with a couple touchdown passes, including one to his buddy, Chandler Curtis. We're going to keep riding this wave; 1-0. We went 1-0 this week and we'll move forward looking to do the same."
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Notables
Team
» Saturday's win marks Mercer's first three-game winning streak in the Southern Conference.
» Mercer head coach Bobby Lamb improved to 10-3 in his career against Chattanooga.
» Mercer improved to 2-2 against Chattanooga in the modern era (2013-present).
Offense
» Riley's completion percentage of 74 percent is the third-highest mark in program history.
» Irvin's touchdown reception was the 12th of his career, tying him with teammate Avery Ward and former Bear JT Palmer for the second most in program history.
» Sam Walker hauled in a season-long 24-yard reception.
» Mercer tallied four plays of 15 yards or more in the first half, including touchdown passes of 33 and 22 yards.
» Six of the seven Bears who recorded a reception caught at least two passes. Curtis' eight receptions tie a career-high.
» Mercer registered only 84 rushing yards on 35 carries, but both Mitchell and Leggett found the end zone for the fourth straight game.
» Mercer was 3-of-4 in the red zone.
Defense
» Mercer held Chattanooga to 15 yards or less on nine of its 13 offensive drives.
» Ahmad Arnold, Travonte' Easley and Buehler notched one sack apiece, dropping Chattanooga for a combined loss of 27 yards. Arnold and Easley's sacks were the first of their careers.
» Fleming's interception was the first of his career.
» Chattanooga's 44 rushing yards are the fewest by a Mercer opponent this season and tied for seventh-fewest allowed in program history.
» Lee Bennett and Stephen Houzah registered a team-high seven tackles apiece.
Special Teams
» Chandler Curtis totaled a season-best 143 all-purpose yards as he added 40 yards on punt returns and 26 yards on kick returns.
» Cole Fisher avenged himself (missed extra point attempt and 32-yard field goal attempt) with a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter. His 32-yard miss was only the second time Mercer has failed to convert in the red zone this season.
» Grant Goupil averaged 40.2 yards on six punts, including three that were pinned inside the Chattanooga 20-yard line.
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Football, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerFootball (Twitter), /MercerFootball (Facebook) and @MercerFootball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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