Mercer Falls in Scrappy SoCon Contest

Saturday, October 26

Charleston, S.C.

2 p.m.

Mercer University

3-5 , 2-3

The Citadel

5-4 , 3-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Mercer

The Citadel

Photo by: Mitch Robinson

10/26/2019 6:31:00 PM | Football

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

The Citadel scores 14 unanswered in the fourth

By: Jace Sanders

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Mercer and The Citadel squared-off in a gritty, hard-fought battle Saturday at Johnson Hagood Stadium, but the Bulldogs pulled away with a 35-24 win in Southern Conference action.

The Bears (3-5, 2-3 SoCon) took a 24-21 lead into the fourth quarter, but The Citadel (5-4, 3-2 SoCon) responded with 14 straight points and milked nearly 12 minutes off the clock in the final frame to seal the victory.

Offensive Star
Freshman Yahsyn McKee stepped up in a big way for the Bears' offense Saturday, catching five passes for 125 yards on the afternoon – both career-highs. McKee caught his first pass in stride en route to a 44-yard gain, then followed that up with a 38-yard touchdown grab.

Defensive Star
The Mercer defense was led by senior safety Eric Jackson, who recorded a game-leading 15 tackles. The tackle total was a career-high for the four-year starter and the most by a Bear defender since Lee Bennett had 17 against Furman in 2017.

Stat Geek
Kaelan Riley had a solid game throwing the ball, finishing 15-for-27 with a couple of touchdowns and an interception – Riley found pay dirt once to McKee and then again to Steven Peterson. Sophomore David Durden returned after missing the last four games due to injury and caught three passes for 67 yards.

Mercer's defense was sparked by double-digit tackle efforts from three different players – Jackson, Sidney Otiwu and Zach Hopkins. Lance Wise made a big defensive contribution, as well, stripping a Bulldog ball-carrier and returning the fumble 41 yards for the touchdown late in the third quarter.

Notable

Yahsyn McKee's 125 receiving yards were 19 shy of the Mercer single-game record set by teammate Tucker Cannon against Presbyterian earlier this season.
Senior Eric Jackson's 15 tackles were the most by a Mercer player since Lee Bennett recorded 17 against Furman in 2017.
Freshman Caleb Dowden missed his first field goal of the season in the first quarter, but responded with a make later in the game. Dowden is now 10-for-11 on field goals and 30-for-30 on extra points.
The Citadel's win over Mercer marked the first win by the home team in this series since 2015.

Up Next
Mercer will be back at Five Star Stadium the next two weeks, as it closes its home slate against Samford (Nov. 2) and Wofford (Nov. 9).

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.