Mercer Comeback Falls Short at Jacksonville State

Saturday, October 10

Jacksonville, Ala.

3 p.m.

Mercer University

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Jacksonville State

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Mercer

Jacksonville State

Photo by: Alex Keller

Mercer Comeback Falls Short at Jacksonville State

10/10/2020 7:33:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Tyray Devezin became the fourth 2,000-yard rusher in program history with 94 yards against the Gamecocks

By: Travis Rae

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Mercer football team fell to Jacksonville State on the road in the 2020 season opener, 34-28, as the Bears' comeback bid fell short on Saturday afternoon.

The Bears were got off to a fast start to the 2020 season when Deondre Johnson took the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. The 100-yard return is the longest special teams play for the Bears in school history and the first kick return for a TD since Oct. 5, 2019.

After allowing a 38-yard field goal by Jacksonville State, Mercer extended its lead to 14-3. Mercer went on a 13 play, 65-yard drive that was capped off by a Tyray Devezin three-yard touchdown run. The run put Devezin over 2,000 yard rushing mark for his career.

Following the Bears' touchdown, Jacksonville State scored the next 24 points of the contest taking a 27-14 lead at halftime. The Gamecocks defense contained the Bears in the quarter as Mercer had four first downs and held the ball for under five minutes.

Opening the third quarter, Mercer's Solomon Zubairu recovered a fumble to give the Bears the ball on JSU's 48-yard line. Mercer used 10 plays to score its third touchdown on the game, when Harrison Frost found Johnson for a 15-yard touchdown reception. This bought the Bears within six points, 27-21, of the Gamecocks.

The home side extended its lead late in the fourth quarter when the Gamecocks capitalized on a 64-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown to make it a 34-21 game with 5:03 remaining. Mercer answered by going 74 yards in 1:12 capped by a 30-yard touchdown from Frost to Etham Dirrim to make it a one-score game with 0:52 left on the clock. Mercer attempted an onside kick, but JSU managed to corral the football and prevent the comeback.

Offensive Star
Tyray Devezin was Mercer's leading rusher, picking up 94 yards on 23 carries (4.1 avg.) and a touchdown. The Woodstock, Ga., native farther immersed himself into Mercer history becoming just the fourth player in program history to eclipse the 2,000-yard rushing mark for his career.

Defensive Star
Freshman Isaac Dowling was all over the field as a linebacker, recording a game-high 15 tackles. The Lawrenceville, Ga., native had five solo stops and assisted on 10 others in his collegiate debut.

Stats That Matter
Mercer generated plenty of negative plays on defense, totaling seven tackles for loss throughout the game. The Bears pushed JSU back 22 yards throughout the contest and had three sacks. Jaden Taylor and Zach Hopkins led the way for Mercer's defense with two TFL's apiece, while Taylor led the team with 1.5 sacks.

Notable

Deondre Johnson set a school record by taking the opening kickoff 100-yards for a touchdown. This is the longest special teams in school history. The last kick return that went for a touchdown for the Bears was on Oct. 5, 2019 when Johnson went 98 yards against Chattanooga.
Tyray Devezin became the fourth Mercer Bear in program history to rush for 2,000 yards. He accomplished the feat late in the first quarter against Jacksonville State.
Isaac Dowling totaled a game-high 15 tackles in his first-ever collegiate game.
Mercer is now 5-3 in season openers since 2013.

Follow the Bears
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