Saturday, September 30
Macon, Ga.
4 p.m.
Mercer University
2-3 , 1-2
49
vs
14
VMI
0-5 , 0-2
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
VMI
7
0
7
0
14
Mercer
0
21
14
14
49
Team Stats
VMI
MER
Total Yards
225
575
Pass Yards
173
318
Rushing Yards
52
257
Penalty Yards
20
50
1st Downs
13
26
3rd Downs
3
7
4th Downs
1
1
TOP
27:53
32:07
1st Quarter
VMI 7, MER 0
VMI - A. Cratsenberg 60 yd interception (Tommy Smith kick)
2nd Quarter
VMI 7, MER 7
MER - Chandler Curtis 61 yd pass from Kaelan Riley (Cole Fisher kick) 6 plays, 78 yards, TOP 2:03
VMI 7, MER 14
MER - Tee Mitchell 79 yd pass from Kaelan Riley (Cole Fisher kick) 1 plays, 79 yards, TOP 0:13
VMI 7, MER 21
MER - Travonte Easley 51 yd interception (Cole Fisher kick)
3rd Quarter
VMI 7, MER 28
MER - Tee Mitchell 4 yd run (Cole Fisher kick), 8 plays, 63 yards, TOP 3:21
VMI 7, MER 35
MER - CJ Leggett 14 yd run (Cole Fisher kick), 8 plays, 54 yards, TOP 3:32
VMI 14, MER 35
VMI - Javeon Lara 79 yd pass from Duncan Hodges (Tommy Smith kick) 1 plays, 79 yards, TOP 0:09
4th Quarter
VMI 14, MER 42
MER - Chandler Curtis 21 yd pass from Kaelan Riley (Cole Fisher kick) 9 plays, 79 yards, TOP 3:38
VMI 14, MER 49
MER - Alex Lakes 2 yd run (Cole Fisher kick), 12 plays, 67 yards, TOP 5:50
Game Leaders
CMP
13
TD
3
YDS
318
INT
1
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
K/P
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballQB
/ Football
Photo by: Judy Stapleton
Mercer Throttles VMI, Earns First Conference Win
9/30/2017 8:55:00 PM | Football
Bears use 21-point second quarter to blow past Keydets, 49-14
MACON, Ga. – Mercer totaled 575 yards and dominated the final three quarters of play en route to a 49-14 Southern Conference victory over VMI at Five Star Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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The Bears (2-3, 1-2 SoCon) notched their first conference win of the season largely due to the 575 total yards, which were the second most in a single game in program history (623 vs. Stetson on Sept. 12, 2015). Mercer also tallied three interceptions – two by Stephen Houzah and one by Travonte' Easley, which was returned for a touchdown – to dominate the Keydets (0-5, 0-2 SoCon).
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Turning Point
Kaelan Riley bounced back from an interception returned for a touchdown on his first attempt of the game by finding Chandler Curtis for a 61-yard score early in the second quarter, which tied the game 7-7. Mercer never looked back and took a 21-7 lead into halftime.
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It Was Over When
Two third-quarter rushing touchdowns by CJ Leggett and Tee Mitchell put the game out of reach as Mercer extended its lead to 35-7.
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Offensive Star
Numerous Bears had standout offensive stats, but it was Mitchell and Curtis who shined brightest Saturday. Mitchell and Curtis totaled 135 and 130 all-purpose yards, respectively, and scored two touchdowns apiece.
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Not to be overshadowed, Alex Lakes became the program's career rushing yards leader with a 10-carry, 46-yard performance. He surpassed former quarterback John Russ' mark of 2,335 yards in the third quarter. Lakes also tied another one of Russ' records with his 30th career rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.
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Defensive Standout
Houzah's two interceptions both resulted in touchdown drives for the Bears, earning him Defensive Standout honors. It was Houzah's second career multi-interception game; he is the only Bear in program history with one multi-interception game.
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How It Happened
VMI took an early 7-0 advantage as Allan Cratsenberg intercepted Riley and returned it to the end zone for a 60-yard touchdown with 12:49 left in the first quarter. Mercer punted on its following two drives, but finally struck with a 61-yard touchdown pass from Riley to Curtis following an interception by Houzah. After quickly forcing a VMI punt on the next drive, Mercer used another big play – a 79-yard touchdown reception by Mitchell – to take its first lead of the game with 10:24 in the second quarter.
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Momentum fully shifted in Mercer's favor moments later as Easley took a 51-yard interception return to the house for a 21-7 lead. The Bears totaled 169 yards in the third quarter as Mitchell and Leggett both scored on four- and 14-yard touchdown runs. Riley was a perfect 6-for-6 with 84 yards in the quarter as well.
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With less than six minutes remaining in the contest and Mercer leading, 42-14, Lakes found the end zone for the final score of the game.
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Coach Lamb's Take
"I thought tonight's win was a complete game by our team here at Five Star Stadium in front of a great crowd and atmosphere. I give VMI credit; they gave us a lot of stuff on defense early but we made some great adjustments at halftime and settled down in the second half.
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"I was really proud of our offensive line for taking control in the second half…that's what got us over the hump on offense. Defensively, we were able to stop the run and had a solid day overall.
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"I think this win does a lot for this team. We talked about being 1-0 all week. We'll be back tomorrow for a team meeting and our goal will be 1-0 again next week. That's the only way we can approach each game right now."
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Notables
Team
» Mercer improved to 3-1 overall against VMI.
» Saturday marked Mercer's first win over VMI at Five Star Stadium (1-1 overall).
» Saturday was the first game in the teams' series history that was decided by more than seven points.
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Offense
» Mercer's 49 points are a season-best. The Bears are averaging 48.5 points in their wins this season.
» Mitchell's 79-yard touchdown catch was the fourth-longest reception in program history.
» Riley surpassed 300 passing yards for the first time in his career, finishing 13-for-24 with 318 yards and three touchdown passes. It is only the second time in the modern era that a Mercer quarterback has thrown for 300 yards (Russ, 336 vs. Stetson on Sept. 12, 2015).
» Six Bears had at least one rushing attempt, including Leggett who finished with a game-high 89 yards on 16 carries.
» Marquise Irvin caught six passes for 98 yards (16.3 yards per catch).
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Defense
» Mercer held VMI to 52 rushing yards, the eighth-fewest allowed by Mercer in program history.
» VMI's 225 total yards are the fourth-fewest allowed by Mercer in program history.
» Mercer has 11 gained turnovers through five games after totaling three interceptions Saturday.
» Easley's 51-yard interception return for a touchdown was the second-longest return in program history (Sebastian Hicks, 69 yards, Nov. 9, 2013 vs. Jacksonville).
» Destin Guillen, LeMarkus Bailey and Isaiah Buehler all recorded one sack apiece.
» Will Coneway led Mercer with 10 total tackles (four solo) and added two tackles for loss.
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Special Teams
» Curtis' 48 kick return yards pushed him to 130 all-purpose yards.
» Grant Goupil punted three times for an average of 41.0 yards.
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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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The Bears (2-3, 1-2 SoCon) notched their first conference win of the season largely due to the 575 total yards, which were the second most in a single game in program history (623 vs. Stetson on Sept. 12, 2015). Mercer also tallied three interceptions – two by Stephen Houzah and one by Travonte' Easley, which was returned for a touchdown – to dominate the Keydets (0-5, 0-2 SoCon).
Â
Turning Point
Kaelan Riley bounced back from an interception returned for a touchdown on his first attempt of the game by finding Chandler Curtis for a 61-yard score early in the second quarter, which tied the game 7-7. Mercer never looked back and took a 21-7 lead into halftime.
Â
It Was Over When
Two third-quarter rushing touchdowns by CJ Leggett and Tee Mitchell put the game out of reach as Mercer extended its lead to 35-7.
Â
Offensive Star
Numerous Bears had standout offensive stats, but it was Mitchell and Curtis who shined brightest Saturday. Mitchell and Curtis totaled 135 and 130 all-purpose yards, respectively, and scored two touchdowns apiece.
Â
Not to be overshadowed, Alex Lakes became the program's career rushing yards leader with a 10-carry, 46-yard performance. He surpassed former quarterback John Russ' mark of 2,335 yards in the third quarter. Lakes also tied another one of Russ' records with his 30th career rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Â
Defensive Standout
Houzah's two interceptions both resulted in touchdown drives for the Bears, earning him Defensive Standout honors. It was Houzah's second career multi-interception game; he is the only Bear in program history with one multi-interception game.
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How It Happened
VMI took an early 7-0 advantage as Allan Cratsenberg intercepted Riley and returned it to the end zone for a 60-yard touchdown with 12:49 left in the first quarter. Mercer punted on its following two drives, but finally struck with a 61-yard touchdown pass from Riley to Curtis following an interception by Houzah. After quickly forcing a VMI punt on the next drive, Mercer used another big play – a 79-yard touchdown reception by Mitchell – to take its first lead of the game with 10:24 in the second quarter.
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Momentum fully shifted in Mercer's favor moments later as Easley took a 51-yard interception return to the house for a 21-7 lead. The Bears totaled 169 yards in the third quarter as Mitchell and Leggett both scored on four- and 14-yard touchdown runs. Riley was a perfect 6-for-6 with 84 yards in the quarter as well.
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With less than six minutes remaining in the contest and Mercer leading, 42-14, Lakes found the end zone for the final score of the game.
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Coach Lamb's Take
"I thought tonight's win was a complete game by our team here at Five Star Stadium in front of a great crowd and atmosphere. I give VMI credit; they gave us a lot of stuff on defense early but we made some great adjustments at halftime and settled down in the second half.
Â
"I was really proud of our offensive line for taking control in the second half…that's what got us over the hump on offense. Defensively, we were able to stop the run and had a solid day overall.
Â
"I think this win does a lot for this team. We talked about being 1-0 all week. We'll be back tomorrow for a team meeting and our goal will be 1-0 again next week. That's the only way we can approach each game right now."
Â
Notables
Team
» Mercer improved to 3-1 overall against VMI.
» Saturday marked Mercer's first win over VMI at Five Star Stadium (1-1 overall).
» Saturday was the first game in the teams' series history that was decided by more than seven points.
Â
Offense
» Mercer's 49 points are a season-best. The Bears are averaging 48.5 points in their wins this season.
» Mitchell's 79-yard touchdown catch was the fourth-longest reception in program history.
» Riley surpassed 300 passing yards for the first time in his career, finishing 13-for-24 with 318 yards and three touchdown passes. It is only the second time in the modern era that a Mercer quarterback has thrown for 300 yards (Russ, 336 vs. Stetson on Sept. 12, 2015).
» Six Bears had at least one rushing attempt, including Leggett who finished with a game-high 89 yards on 16 carries.
» Marquise Irvin caught six passes for 98 yards (16.3 yards per catch).
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Defense
» Mercer held VMI to 52 rushing yards, the eighth-fewest allowed by Mercer in program history.
» VMI's 225 total yards are the fourth-fewest allowed by Mercer in program history.
» Mercer has 11 gained turnovers through five games after totaling three interceptions Saturday.
» Easley's 51-yard interception return for a touchdown was the second-longest return in program history (Sebastian Hicks, 69 yards, Nov. 9, 2013 vs. Jacksonville).
» Destin Guillen, LeMarkus Bailey and Isaiah Buehler all recorded one sack apiece.
» Will Coneway led Mercer with 10 total tackles (four solo) and added two tackles for loss.
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Special Teams
» Curtis' 48 kick return yards pushed him to 130 all-purpose yards.
» Grant Goupil punted three times for an average of 41.0 yards.
Â
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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