Bears Beat Chattanooga In Defensive Battle

Saturday, November 13

Macon, Ga.

3 p.m.

Mercer University

7-2 , 6-1

Chattanooga

6-4 , 5-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UTC

MER

11/13/2021 6:52:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Mercer outlasts Chattanooga, wins 10-6

By: Zach Durkee

MACON, Ga. – In quite possibly the biggest game in program history, Mercer rose to occasion and defeated the visiting Chattanooga Mocs, 10-6 to keep the hopes of a SoCon championship alive on Homecoming Saturday from Five Star Stadium.

Points were scarce as the two teams combined for 16 points and only three scores, but Mercer (7-2, 6-1 SoCon) forced six turnovers off the Mocs (6-4, 5-2 SoCon) and were aided by Chattanooga special teams miscues.

Devin Folser split the uprights from 38 yards with just 91 seconds to play to bring the margin to four. That kick ended up being the nail in the coffin for the Mocs' title push, as the Bears recovered the ensuing kickoff and then iced the game to secure the win.

Chattanooga opened the scoring when Allym Ford took the ball 10 yards on the ground, but only six points would be all they tallied after Aaron Sears pulled the PAT wide of the uprights. On the ensuing drive, Mercer got on the board when Drake Starks hauled in a four-yard reception from Fred Payton and Folser's converted PAT gave the Bears a lead they would not relinquish.

Payton tossed the lone touchdown for the Bears and completed nine of 18 for 107 yards through the air. Parker Wroble was the leading rusher for Mercer and churned 33 yards on seven carries. Fred Davis and Devron Harper both had 29 yards receiving.

Isaac Dowling and Harrison Poole's 11 stops paced the Mercer defense as they held the 13^th-ranked rush offense in the country to only one score. Three Bears – Ken Standley, Luke Ward and Alvin Ward Jr – each tallied eight stops of Chattanooga in the contest. Solomon Zubairu, Harrison Poole, and Yahsym McKee each forced fumbles and Barron King and Lance Wise each came down with interceptions.

Drew Cronic Quotables

Full Press Conference

"Our kids just hung in there and found a way to win. Our defense was amazing. Chattanooga was leading the conference in turnover margin, and we couldn't let that happen today, and we didn't. We had more points than them in the end."

"It's a credit to a lot of people. When we came here, we came here with a vision. How far we've come in the last year is amazing to me. My assistant coaches have done a tremendous job loving these kids and developing them. We're very demanding and these kids have listened and trusted and learned to love each other and now they're overachieving."

"We want to build something here that's going to last, that's going to be a consistent winner, that's going to be in the playoffs each year. Winning is not just some coaches and some players, it's a whole University. That's the reason you win in football is because everyone believes in what you're doing. We're blessed. I'm very proud to be a part of this."

Offensive Star
Fred Payton helped lead the Bears offensive attack with 107 yards through the air and Mercer's lone touchdown of the game that came by way of Payton to Drake Starks. The offensive signal caller helped march Mercer down the field at the end of the game to put three more points on the board.

Defensive Star(s)
The Mercer defense flew around the field all game forcing five turnovers. Solomon Zubairu, Harrison Poole, and Yahsyn McKee all forced fumbles. Both Lance Wise and Barron King had interceptions on the game. Isaac Dowling and Harrison Poole paced the Bears in tackles with 11.

Stats That Matter
With the win today, Mercer set a new school record for SoCon wins in a season with six. The Bears previous high was five which they recorded last season. Mercer forced five turnovers and recovered a kick against Chattanooga who previously had a +10 turnover margin to lead the SoCon and rank second in the FCS.

Notables

The Bears start the season 6-1 in conference play, which is the best SoCon start in program history.
Mercer forced a total of six turnovers which is a season high.
The overall series dating back to 1909 is now at 11-20-1 in favor of the Chattanooga.
Mercer is now 6-4 in Macon against Chattanooga
Barron King and Lance Wise each recorded interceptions on the game.
Fred Payton completed nine passes for 107 yards.
Isaac Dowling led the Bears with 11 tackles.
The Bears held the SoCon's second leading rushing offense to 114 yards rushing on the game, 99 yards less than their season average.

Up Next
Next week, Mercer will face ETSU with the title of SoCon Champion on the line. The game in Johnson City, Tennessee will feature a 1:00 p.m. kickoff from William B. Greene, Jr Stadium.

Follow the Bears
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