Bears Prepared for Road Test at #15 Auburn

MACON, Ga. – Mercer will kick off a six-game road slate with its 12th all-time meeting against No. 15 (AP/Coaches) Auburn at 4 p.m. (ET) Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala.

The matchup is Mercer's (1-1) first against a nationally-ranked FBS team and Southeastern Conference (SEC) member since reinstating its football program in 2013. Auburn (1-1) is one of two FBS programs that will take on the Bears this fall (at Alabama, Nov. 18).

GAMEDAY LINEUP
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16 | 4 p.m. (ET)
Teams: Mercer (1-1) at No. 15 (FBS) Auburn (1-1)
Location: Auburn, Ala. | Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)
Television: SEC Network Alternate
Television Talent: Joel Myers (play-by-play), Brian Kinchen (analyst), Gabe Gross (sideline)
Radio: Mercer Sports Network | 96.5 FM The Bull | iHeartRadio | Sportsmic
Radio Talent: Rick Cameron (play-by-play), Roger Jackson (analyst), Kristin Banks (sideline)
Gameday Central: MercerBears.com
Live Stats: AuburnTigers.com/livestats
Twitter Updates: @MercerFootball
Game Notes: Mercer | Auburn | SoCon | SEC

Times of Interest (All Times Eastern)

10 a.m. | Team leaves Macon
Noon-8 p.m. | Mercer Village Watch Party (Macon, Ga.)
1:35 p.m. | Team arrives at Jordan-Hare Stadium
3 p.m. | Mercer Pregame Show (96.5 FM The Bull)
3:53 p.m. | National Anthem
3:55 p.m. | Coin Toss
3:57 p.m. | Mercer takes the field
4:01 p.m. | KICKOFF

Notables

Mercer is 2-2 in road openers during the modern era.
This is the first meeting between Mercer and Auburn since 1922.
Auburn is 71-1-1 all-time against current Southern Conference teams.
Mercer is 4-1 coming off its last five losses.
The Bears are receiving votes in both the FCS Coaches Poll and the STATS FCS Top 25.

#BearNation in Support
Approximately 2,000 Mercer faithful are expected to make the short trip west to Auburn for Saturday's contest against the Tigers. For those unable to make the trip, Mercer University is hosting a watch party at Mercer Village from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. Fans are encouraged to bring their tailgating equipment, food and more as they support the Bears while watching the game on the big screen. All Middle Georgia residents are encouraged to attend.

Series History
The head-to-head matchup between Mercer and Auburn has not been kind to the Bears historically speaking, as they trail 0-11 in the series. The two programs first met in 1896 and most recently in 1922.

Lamb Versus Auburn/Homecoming Trip
Mercer head coach Bobby Lamb has faced the Tigers once in his coaching career, as he led Furman into Jordan-Hare Stadium on Nov. 7, 2009. The Lamb-led Paladins were defeated 63-31. Auburn (8-5) went on to win the Outback Bowl over Northwestern.

Five Bears will return to their home state on the trip to Auburn. Marquise Irvin and Brandon Gurley (Huntsville), Andrew Robinson (Birmingham), Austin Wysor (Trussville) and Luke Ward (Atmore) all hail from Alabama.

Return to the Red Zone
One of the biggest positives through two games this season has been the Bears' red zone efficiency on offense. Mercer is 11-for-11 when reaching the red zone, including nine touchdowns (five rushing, four passing). Mercer led the FCS in red zone efficiency in 2015 (.932).

Welcome Back, Avery
Senior wide receiver Avery Ward returned to the field in impressive fashion on Sept. 9 after missing the previous five games dating back to last season due to injury. Ward hauled in seven catches for 113 yards and a touchdown, marking his fourth career 100-yard game. The touchdown reception was the 12th of his career, tying him with teammate Chandler Curtis and former Bear JT Palmer for most in program history.

Young Bears
Multiple faces from Mercer's 2017 recruiting class have made early impacts this season across various positions.

» Edmond Graham, WR: 58-yard touchdown reception vs. Jacksonville
» BJ Bohler, DB: Forced fumble vs. Jacksonville
» Jamar Hall, DB: Fumble recovery vs. Jacksonville
» Michael Freeman, LB: Fumble recovery vs. Jacksonville
» Grant Goupil, P: Averaged 41.0 yards on four punts vs. Wofford
» CJ Leggett, RB: Rushing touchdown vs. Jacksonville
» Rashad Haynes, RB: 90-yard kickoff return vs. Wofford (second-longest in program history)

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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Players Mentioned

BJ Bohler

Chandler Curtis

Michael Freeman

Grant Goupil

Edmond Graham

Brandon Gurley

Jamar Hall

Rashad Haynes

Marquise Irvin

CJ Leggett

Andrew Robinson

Avery Ward

Luke Ward

Austin Wysor

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