Mercer Pummels Presbyterian in Non-Conference Bout

Saturday, September 7

Clinton, S.C.

2 p.m.

Mercer University

2-0

Presbyterian

0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Mercer

Presbyterian

Mercer Pummels Presbyterian in Non-Conference Bout

9/7/2019 6:47:00 PM | Football

Box Score Postgame Notes

Bears dominate Blue Hose Saturday in Clinton

By: Jace Sanders

CLINTON, S.C. – The offense gained over 500 total yards, Tucker Cannon set the school single-game receiving record and the defense was six minutes away from a shutout Saturday afternoon as Mercer thumped Presbyterian, 45-7, at Bailey Memorial Stadium.

Mercer (2-0) started strong once again, jumping out to a 21-point lead in the first quarter and leading 28-0 over the Blue Hose (0-1) at halftime. The Bears have now outscored their opponents 35-7 in the first quarter and 70-14 in the first half so far this season.

Turning Point
Presbyterian stuffed the Bears offense on the first two plays of the game, leaving Mercer with a 3^rd and 15 play from its own 18-yard line. Robert Riddle and company weren't phased by the early, third-down pressure, as the redshirt sophomore quarterback found Tucker Cannon for a 43-yard connection to move the ball past midfield. A few plays later, Riddle found Tyray Devezin on a wheel route out of the backfield for the first touchdown of the game and the Bears did not look back from there.

Offensive Star
After his 43-yard reception to start the game, Tucker Cannon went on to catch seven passes for 144 receiving yards and a touchdown to lead the Mercer offense. Cannon's 144 receiving yards broke Marquise Irvin's school single-game record of 143 set at Wofford in 2016 – his seven receptions were a career-high, as well.

Defensive Star
Will Coneway led the Bears defense with eight total tackles on the afternoon – four solo and four assists. With his eight-tackle afternoon, the redshirt senior jumped former teammate LeMarkus Bailey for third all-time in career tackles at Mercer with 225.

Stat Geek
Mercer's passing offense kept the ball moving most of the afternoon, as Riddle completed 18 of his 27 passing attempts for 325 yards and three touchdowns. Ninety-eight of those yards came on one play, connecting with Rob Lake for the longest offensive play in Bears football history.

On the ground, Deondre Johnson, Kareem Rogers and Riddle each ran for a touchdown. Johnson led the rushing attack with 68 yards on 10 carries (6.8 yards per carry).

Notable

Mercer is now 2-for-2 on opening drive touchdowns this year after marching 77 yards on seven plays to start the game - both opening scores were passing touchdowns from Robert Riddle to Tyray Devezin.
The third touchdown of the first quarter was a 98-yard strike from Riddle to Rob Lake, the longest offensive play in Mercer's recorded history. It was Lake's first career reception and touchdown.
Presbyterian did not score until 6:04 left in the game - avoiding Mercer's first shutout of an opponent since blanking ETSU 52-0 in 2015.
Kendall Bohler recorded his first career interception in the third quarter, joining older brother BJ Bohler as the two Mercer players with interceptions this season.
Caleb Dowden made his first career field goal on his first career attempt with a 26-yarder in the fourth quarter - it was Mercer's first field goal attempt of the season.
FULL NOTES

Up Next
Mercer will take the field at Five Star Stadium for the first time in 2019 next Saturday (Sept. 14), as the Bears play host to Austin Peay with a 7 p.m. kickoff. The game will serve as "478 Day" featuring local vendors and recording artists throughout the afternoon. For more information, CLICK HERE.

Follow the Bears
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