Saturday, September 15
Birmingham, Ala.
3 p.m.
Mercer University
2-1 , 1-0
30
at
24
Samford
1-2 , 0-1
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Mercer
7
10
0
13
30
Samford
7
0
7
10
24
Team Stats
MER
SAM
Total Yards
470
424
Pass Yards
316
300
Rushing Yards
154
124
Penalty Yards
78
97
1st Downs
27
25
3rd Downs
7
5
4th Downs
1
2
TOP
35:27
24:33
1st Quarter
MER 0, SAM 7
SAM - Chris Shelling 19 yd pass from Devlin Hodges (M. Fineran kick) 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:31
MER 7, SAM 7
MER - Robert Riddle 1 yd run (Cole Fisher kick), 14 plays, 75 yards, TOP 7:15
2nd Quarter
MER 14, SAM 7
MER - Robert Riddle 10 yd run (Cole Fisher kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:05
MER 17, SAM 7
MER - Cole Fisher 33 yd field goal 12 plays, 62 yards, TOP 3:56
3rd Quarter
MER 17, SAM 14
SAM - Kelvin McKnight 15 yd pass from Devlin Hodges (M. Fineran kick) 15 plays, 95 yards, TOP 5:37
4th Quarter
MER 20, SAM 14
MER - Cole Fisher 39 yd field goal 15 plays, 68 yards, TOP 8:19
MER 27, SAM 14
MER - Stephen Houzah 73 yd pass from Robert Riddle (Cole Fisher kick) 1 plays, 73 yards, TOP 0:13
MER 27, SAM 21
SAM - Antwione Sims 11 yd pass from Devlin Hodges (M. Fineran kick) 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:54
MER 30, SAM 21
MER - Cole Fisher 41 yd field goal 6 plays, 23 yards, TOP 1:49
MER 30, SAM 24
SAM - M. Fineran 45 yd field goal 6 plays, 49 yards, TOP 0:54
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
23
TD
1
YDS
316
INT
1
Players Mentioned
K
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DB
/ FootballQB
/ FootballPhoto by: Judy Stapleton
Bears Upend #9 Samford on Road in SoCon Opener
9/15/2018 8:49:00 PM | Football
Mercer defeats nationally-ranked Bulldogs, 30-24, on the road
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Mercer controlled the clock with over 35 minutes of possession and defeated No. 9 (Coaches/STATS) Samford, 30-24, in a Southern Conference road game at Seibert Stadium on Saturday.
Robert Riddle totaled 342 yards of offense and three touchdowns (two rushing) as the Bears (2-1, 1-0 SoCon) withstood a second-half rally by Samford (1-2, 0-1). It was Mercer's first win over the Bulldogs since 1932 and snapped an eight-game losing streak in the head-to-head series.
Turning Point
Cole Fisher nailed a 39-yard field goal with 13:44 remaining in the game to give Mercer a 20-14 advantage. The field goal sparked a 13-point fourth quarter for the Bears and capped a 15-play, 68-yard drive that lasted eight minutes and 19 seconds.
It Was Over When
Cole Fisher made his third field goal of the contest, a 41-yard attempt, and extended Mercer's lead to 30-21 with 4:37 left on the clock. The field goal halted Samford's momentum after the Bulldogs had just drove 75 yards for a touchdown on the prior drive.
Offensive Star
Robert Riddle impressed under center, orchestrating an offensive attack that outgained Samford's high-powered unit. The redshirt freshman quarterback was 23-of-34 with 316 passing yards and three total touchdowns. Riddle found the end zone twice with his legs in the first half before hitting Stephen Houzah with a 73-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Defensive Star
Harrison Poole tallied his second career interception and added four solo tackles and one pass breakup.
How It Happened
Mercer found the end zone on its first two drives of the game, marching 75 yards on both possessions in response to Samford's opening touchdown. Robert Riddle, who totaled 195 yards of offense in the first half, scored twice on rushes of one and 10 yards. A strong defensive half by Mercer held Samford to just 105 total yards of offense; the Bears forced two 3-and-outs and Harrison Poole picked off Devlin Hodges on a deep pass attempt.
Cole Fisher, who missed a 37-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter, redeemed himself by connecting on a 33-yard attempt as time expired to end the first half. The field goal gave Mercer a 17-7 advantage at halftime.
After Mercer was forced to punt for the first time with 12:41 remaining in the third quarter, Samford drove 95 yards on 15 plays to pull within three points, 17-14. Mercer produced 13 points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of field goals by Fisher. Riddle also found Stephen Houzah for a 73-yard touchdown pass that gave the Bears a 27-14 advantage. Samford found the end zone once more in the fourth quarter, but Fisher's third field goal of the night clinched the six-point win.
Coach Lamb's Take
Lamb's opening statement:
"This was a big win for our program against the No. 9 team in the nation," head coach Bobby Lamb said. "To come to their place and take them down after how well [Samford] played last week at Florida State shows a lot about what our team is capable of.
"We had a plan going into the game and stuck with it, holding the ball almost 40 minutes. That's a recipe for success against Samford. We've been down this road before where we've had leads and let them slip away, but there was no way this team was going to lose this one. I'm excited for our guys and our program."
Notables
» The win was Mercer's fourth against a nationally-ranked opponent.
» The Bears have won three straight road games against nationally-ranked teams.
» Mercer snapped an eight-game losing streak to Samford, which dated back to 1937.
» Mercer dominated the time of possession with 35:27 minutes of ball control.
» Mercer had two offensive drives of seven minutes or more.
» Tee Mitchell rushed for 103 yards on 23 carries. It was his second straight 100-yard rushing performance and eighth of his career.
» Riddle completed passes to nine different receivers.
» Harrison Poole's interception was the second of his career.
» Mercer's 'Legion of Chaos' held Samford quarterback Delvin Hodges to 291 passing yards. Hodges entered the game averaging over 400 passing yards per game.
» Marquise Irvin has recorded at least 70 receiving yards in all three games this season.
» Six different Bears recorded at least four tackles.
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.
Robert Riddle totaled 342 yards of offense and three touchdowns (two rushing) as the Bears (2-1, 1-0 SoCon) withstood a second-half rally by Samford (1-2, 0-1). It was Mercer's first win over the Bulldogs since 1932 and snapped an eight-game losing streak in the head-to-head series.
Turning Point
Cole Fisher nailed a 39-yard field goal with 13:44 remaining in the game to give Mercer a 20-14 advantage. The field goal sparked a 13-point fourth quarter for the Bears and capped a 15-play, 68-yard drive that lasted eight minutes and 19 seconds.
It Was Over When
Cole Fisher made his third field goal of the contest, a 41-yard attempt, and extended Mercer's lead to 30-21 with 4:37 left on the clock. The field goal halted Samford's momentum after the Bulldogs had just drove 75 yards for a touchdown on the prior drive.
Offensive Star
Robert Riddle impressed under center, orchestrating an offensive attack that outgained Samford's high-powered unit. The redshirt freshman quarterback was 23-of-34 with 316 passing yards and three total touchdowns. Riddle found the end zone twice with his legs in the first half before hitting Stephen Houzah with a 73-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Defensive Star
Harrison Poole tallied his second career interception and added four solo tackles and one pass breakup.
How It Happened
Mercer found the end zone on its first two drives of the game, marching 75 yards on both possessions in response to Samford's opening touchdown. Robert Riddle, who totaled 195 yards of offense in the first half, scored twice on rushes of one and 10 yards. A strong defensive half by Mercer held Samford to just 105 total yards of offense; the Bears forced two 3-and-outs and Harrison Poole picked off Devlin Hodges on a deep pass attempt.
Cole Fisher, who missed a 37-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter, redeemed himself by connecting on a 33-yard attempt as time expired to end the first half. The field goal gave Mercer a 17-7 advantage at halftime.
After Mercer was forced to punt for the first time with 12:41 remaining in the third quarter, Samford drove 95 yards on 15 plays to pull within three points, 17-14. Mercer produced 13 points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of field goals by Fisher. Riddle also found Stephen Houzah for a 73-yard touchdown pass that gave the Bears a 27-14 advantage. Samford found the end zone once more in the fourth quarter, but Fisher's third field goal of the night clinched the six-point win.
Coach Lamb's Take
Lamb's opening statement:
"This was a big win for our program against the No. 9 team in the nation," head coach Bobby Lamb said. "To come to their place and take them down after how well [Samford] played last week at Florida State shows a lot about what our team is capable of.
"We had a plan going into the game and stuck with it, holding the ball almost 40 minutes. That's a recipe for success against Samford. We've been down this road before where we've had leads and let them slip away, but there was no way this team was going to lose this one. I'm excited for our guys and our program."
Notables
» The win was Mercer's fourth against a nationally-ranked opponent.
» The Bears have won three straight road games against nationally-ranked teams.
» Mercer snapped an eight-game losing streak to Samford, which dated back to 1937.
» Mercer dominated the time of possession with 35:27 minutes of ball control.
» Mercer had two offensive drives of seven minutes or more.
» Tee Mitchell rushed for 103 yards on 23 carries. It was his second straight 100-yard rushing performance and eighth of his career.
» Riddle completed passes to nine different receivers.
» Harrison Poole's interception was the second of his career.
» Mercer's 'Legion of Chaos' held Samford quarterback Delvin Hodges to 291 passing yards. Hodges entered the game averaging over 400 passing yards per game.
» Marquise Irvin has recorded at least 70 receiving yards in all three games this season.
» Six different Bears recorded at least four tackles.
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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