Mercer Set To Open SoCon Play At Furman

MACON, Ga. – Southern Conference play is set to kick off for the Mercer University football team this Saturday. The Bears are set to hit the road to play Furman at 2 P.M. in Greenville, South Carolina.

GAMEDAY LINEUP
» Date | Time: Saturday, Sept. 25 | 2 p.m. ET
» Teams: Mercer (1-1, 0-0 SoCon) at Furman (2-1, 0-0 SoCon)
» Location: Greenville, S.C. | Paladin Stadium (14,518)
» Television: ESPN+
» Television Talent: Brock Bowling (PxP), Ellis Tolbert (Analyst)
» Radio: Mercer Sports Network | 100.9 The Creek FM | SportsMic
» Radio Talent: Rick Cameron (PxP), Bryce Koon (Analyst), Charles Davis (Sideline)
» Live Stats: Sidearm Live Stats
» Twitter Updates: @MercerFootball

QUICK HITS

The Mercer Bears offense leads the SoCon in points per game (41.5), yards per game (507), and rushing yards per game (303.5).
The Bears are only allowing an average of 162 yards through the air through the first two games, the lowest amount in the SoCon. In total, Mercer has held opponents to an average of 261.5 yards per game, the second lowest amount in the conference.
The Mercer Bears opened the 2021 season with a bang, setting a new program record with 778 yards of offense in a 69-0 win over the Point Skyhawks on Sept. 2. Numerous other records fell in the victory with the Bears scoring their most points in a game (69), accumulating the most yards in one contest (778) and most rushing yards in a game (539). The Bears' 10 touchdowns and 9.1 rushing yards per play, as well as Devin Folser's nine extra points, are all new records for a single game. The Orange & Black averaged 9.3 yards per play, the second-best average in program history.
The nation's top FBS team, Alabama was on the docket for the Bears in week two. The Crimson Tide took down the Bears by a score of 48-14. Fred Taylor took to the air for the Bears two scores of the game. He connected with Devron Harper for a 60-yard touchdown in the third quarter. He followed that up with a 22-yard TD pass to Ty James in the fourth quarter.
Fred Payton leads to SoCon in Pass Efficiency at 184.7. The trio of Mercer quarterbacks who have found the end zone this year combine for a pass efficiency of 169, which tops the conference.
Mercer takes on Furman this week. The Bears are 3-4 against the Paladins since 2014, with Mercer winning the matchup last year 26-14. Carter Peevy threw for a school-record of 406 yards as the Bears took down #17 Furman.
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 FURMAN

Furman began the season with back-to-back wins over North Carolina A&T and Tennessee Tech. Their win over Tennessee Tech was a dominant 26-0 shutout. The Paladins received their first loss of the season against NC State, 45-7.
The Paladins have caught the eye of FCS Coaches Poll. After their week two win over Tennessee Tech, Furman jumped to 25 in the poll. They received votes in the most recent Coaches Poll, after their loss to NC State.
Furman boasts a 15-4 record at home under head coach Clay Hendrix. Hendrix is 27-18 overall and 21-10 against SoCon competition during his time at the helm of Furman.
Quarterback Hamp Sisson earned Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors during the season opener. He completed 25-of-40 passes for 362 yards and three touchdowns. The 362 yards is the second highest in Furman history. He completed an 87 yard touchdown pass which tied for the fourth longest in Furman history.
Furman's running back Devin Wynn has rushed for a total of 186 yards so far this season. He's run for 2,654 yards during his career, ranking him eighth in Furman history.
The Paladins placekicker/punter Timmy Bleekrode was named Southern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after the teams win over Tennessee Tech. Bleekrode accounted for 14 points and posted a career long 51-yard field goal in the win.

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

Isaac Dowling

Devin Folser

Devron Harper

Ty James

Fred Payton

Carter Peevy

Jason Poe

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