Bears Fall in Ingles SoCon Game of the Week

Saturday, March 13

Lexington, Va.

1:30 p.m.

Mercer University

1-5 , 1-2

VMI

3-0 , 3-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Mercer

VMI

Photo by: Chuck Steenburgh

3/13/2021 8:29:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Mercer was defeated by VMI in the game of the week

By: Travis Rae

LEXINGTON, Va. – The Mercer Football team was defeated by VMI, 41-14, in the Ingles Southern Conference Game of the Week on Saturday.

A trio of Bears – Zach Hopkins, Alvin Ward Jr. and Jaden Taylor – had a team-high 10 tackles in the game. Mercer's defense continued to put pressure on opposing offenses as it tallied seven tackles for a loss and three sacks.

VMI's defense, which has been one of the best in the Southern Conference during the spring season, held the Bears in check all afternoon as Mercer tallied 170 yards of total offense on the day.

The Bears' defense came out strong against the Keydets in the first quarter. Mercer forced VMI to punt twice on its first two possessions, while tallying two sacks over those drives. Like VMI, Mercer's offense struggled to get going early.

With 6:26 left in the first quarter, VMI took over on Mercer's 29-yard line after a Bears turnover. Korey Bridy rushed for 20 yards on the first two carries of the drive. Once the Keydets got it within the five-yard line, the Mercer defense tightened up and held VMI to a field goal. Trey Rice made the 21 yard kick putting VMI ahead, 3-0.

The lead grew to 10-0 early in the second quarter for VMI. On a drive that started in the first quarter, Bridey scampered for 19 yards on the final three plays as he broke into the end zone for a touchdown. Late in the second quarter, the lead grew to 17-0 after a rushing touchdown by Reece Udinski on a fourth down play.

Mercer could not get anything going offensively in the contest as they mustered 80 yards and were held scoreless in the first half.

VMI's offense remained hard to stop in the contest as they scored on all three of its possessions in the third quarter. The Keydets scored 17 in the period and led 34-0 after three quarters of play.

The Bears' offense started to gain some traction late in the third quarter. On a drive that stretched into the fourth quarter, Mercer went 65-yards on 12 plays. The drive was capped by a seven-yard touchdown pass from Carter Peevy to Ethan Dirrim.

The following possession for VMI, the Keydets ate up 7:50 on the clock and went 83 yards on 12 plays to take a 41-7 lead.

On the next drive, the Bears were led by Harrison Frost. Mercer slowly moved the ball down the field and, on a third and nine, Frost found Isaia Harris for the first reception of his career, which took the Bears down to the six-yard line. On the very next play, Frost found Harris for the Warner Robins native's first career-touchdown.

Post Game Show

Mercer Athletics · Mercer Football Postgame - Coach Cronic Interview

Notables
• Isaia Harris caught his first collegiate pass on Saturday and on the next play, he caught his first career touchdown.
• Mercer won the fourth quarter as they outscored VMI, 14-7.
• The Orange & Black had three players tally double-digit tackles. Zach Hopkins, Alvin Ward Jr. and Jaden Taylor led the Bears with 10 tackles.
• The Bears continued to have solid defensive pressure in the contest as they tallied three sacks and seven tackles for a loss.
• For the first time in Mercer program history, the Bears were defeated at VMI.
• Mercer had three big pass plays in the game. Each went for over 20-yard completions.
• Both of Mercer's touchdowns came through the air. Carter Peevy and Harrison Frost both recorded a touchdown pass.

Next Up
The Bears return to Five Star Stadium on Saturday, March 20 when they host Western Carolina in Southern Conference action. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. and is the Ingles SoCon Game of the Week. Join us prior to the game for the Mercer Football Ford Concert Series, which will include headlining performances by Chris Janson, Joe Lasher and Kaitlyn Baker. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

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.