Mercer Hosts VMI In Big SoCon Showdown

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer University football team is back at home this Saturday, October 16 to take on defending SoCon champs VMI. Kickoff for the Bears vs Keydets matchup is set for 4 p.m. at Five Star Stadium.

GAMEDAY LINEUP
» Date | Time: Saturday, Oct. 16 | 4 p.m.
» Teams: Mercer (4-1, 3-0 SoCon) Virginia Military Institute (4-2, 2-1 SoCon)
» Location: Macon, Ga. | Five Star Stadium (10,200)
» Television: ESPN+
» Television Talent: Frank Malloy (PxP), Phil Cox (Color), Kristen Banks (Sideline)
» Radio: Mercer Sports Network | 100.9 The Creek FM | SportsMic
» Radio Talent: Rick Cameron (PxP), Bryce Koon (Analyst), Charles Davis (Sideline)
» Live Stats: Statbroadcast
» Twitter Updates: @MercerFootball
» Game Notes: Mercer | SoCon

QUICK HITS

Fred Davis' 112 yards per game is currently ranked fifth in the FCS and second in the SoCon.
The Bears lead the SoCon in total defense, only allowing 334 yards per game.
Michael Campbell is tied for the conference lead in pass breakups with six.
Ken Standley leads the Bears with 31 tackles this season. A total of 50 players have recorded tackles with 19 of those players having double digit tackles.
Fred Payton leads the air attack for the Bears. The Coastal Carolina transfer has tossed for 656 yards and six touchdowns in the early goings of the season.
Devron Harper leads the Bears in receiving with 14 catches for 240 yards this season.
Devin Folser set a new school record for longest field goal when he split the uprights from 51 yards deep against Western Carolina. He had previously tied the school record of 50 yards earlier in the game.
Mercer takes on VMI this week. The Bears are 5-2 against the Keydets, with VMI taking last year's matchup, 41-14. Ethan Dirrim led the team with three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Fred Davis was named the Stats Perform FCS player of the Week and the SoCon player of the week for his performance in the Bears' victory over Samford. Davis rushing for a school record of 276 yards and five touchdowns. The previous school single-game rushing record was 202 yards and the previous single game touchdown record was four. The Bears would take down Samford in a thriller, 45-42.
Lance Wise was named SoCon defensive player of the week for his performance against WCU. Wise posted eight tackles (six solo), forced a fumble and had an interception that he returned 56 yards to the one-yard line.
Jason Poe was featured on Bruce Feldman's Freaks of College Athletics List, which ranked the top 100 most athletic players in college football. Poe, an offensive lineman who transferred from Lenoir-Rhyne, earned the 68th spot on Feldman's list.
HERO Sports named Mercer linebacker Isaac Dowling a preseason All-American. Dowling received HERO Sports Third Team All-America honors and was one of five linebackers to receive recognition, joining Bryce Flater (Northern Iowa), Tristan Wheeler (Richmond), Adrian Hope (Furman) and Jack Cochrane (South Dakota).

SCOUTING VMI

VMI comes in with a 4-2 record overall and a 2-1 record against SoCon opponents. The Keydets won their last matchup in an overtime thriller 37-34.
VMI leads the conference in pass defense, surrendering only 163 passing yards per game.
The Keydets are under the guidance of head coach Scott Wachenheim. Wachenheim is 20-49 during his seven years at VMI.
VMI's running back ranks third in the SoCon with 102.3 rushing yards per game.
Jakob Herres leads the Keydets and is second in the conference, averaging six catches per game.
Stone Snyder leads VMI and the league with 10.5 tackles per game. He ranks 11^th in the FCS in tackles per game.

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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Players Mentioned

Michael Campbell

Fred Davis

Ethan Dirrim

Isaac Dowling

Devin Folser

Devron Harper

Fred Payton

Jason Poe

Ken Standley

Lance Wise Jr.

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Mercer University Athletics