Game Preview: No. 12 Mercer Hosts Western Carolina

MACON, Ga. – It is a matchup of the top two scoring offenses in the Southern Conference as the Western Carolina Catamounts visit Mercer at Five Star Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
 
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
» Date | Time: Saturday, Oct. 8 | 4 p.m.
» Teams: Western Carolina (3-2, 1-1) at Mercer (4-1, 2-0)
» Location: Macon, Ga. | Five Star Stadium (10,200) 
» Television: ESPN+
» Television Talent:  Frank Malloy (PxP), Phil Cox (Analyst)
» 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
 
QUICK FACTS

Mercer is 36-18 at Five Star Stadium.
This is the ninth meeting between the programs. Mercer leads the series, 6-2.
The Bears have won the last six meetings and scored at least 34 points in all six games.
This is a matchup of the top two scoring offenses in the SoCon. WCU leads the conference at 39.2 ppg. Mercer is second averaging 36.6 ppg.
The game features two of the top 10 quarterbacks in the FCS in passing touchdowns. Mercer's Fred Payton (13 TD's) and WCU's Carlos Davis (12 TD's).
Mercer's offensive line has given up a conference low five sacks on the season.

SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA

Western Carolina is led by head coach Kerwin Bell who is in his second season as head coach of Western Carolina. The Catamounts are coming off a 4-7, 4-4 (SoCon) season in 2021.
Western Carolina defeated VMI 38-17 last week. It was the 100^th career win for head coach Kerwin Bell.
The Catamounts bring the number one scoring offense in the SoCon to Five Star Stadium. The Catamounts average 39.2 points per game which is also ninth-most in the FCS.
Quarterback Carlos Davis leads the SoCon with 325.8 passing yards per game. That is also good for fifth most in the FCS.
Western Carolina's leading receiver is Raphael Williams. Williams ranks fifth in the conference in receptions per game (5.0) and sixth in receiving yards per game (68.6).
Defensively the Catamounts have given up a conference high 11 touchdown passes. The Catamounts do however lead the conference in sacks with 24.

FRED PAYTON WITH MOST TD'S WITHOUT INT IN FCS

Quarterback Fred Payton's 13 passing touchdowns without an interception are the most touchdowns thrown by any player in the FCS without an interception. Payton is one of three quarterbacks in the FCS yet to throw an interception.
Payton ranks fourth in the FCS in passing efficiency with a 180.42 rating.

WIDE RECEIVER THREATS

Wide receivers Ty James and Devron Harper have proven to be dangerous weapons in the Mercer offense.
James leads the SoCon in receiving yards with 407 yards. He was named FCS Offensive Player of the Week for his week 0 performance against Morehead State. In the game, James had 5 receptions for 192 receiving yards and three touchdowns all in the first half.
Harper has scored six touchdowns in the last two games to bring his total to a conference best 10 touchdowns on the season.
He is the only player in the SoCon to score in three different ways – receiving (7), rushing (2) and returning (1).

DOMINANT DEFENSE

Mercer's defense has been one of the best in the FCS through five games. The Bears have held their last three opponents to less than 100 yards rushing.
The Bears' defense leads the SoCon in scoring defense (15.2 ppg), total defense (294.4 ypg) and passing defense (173.0 ypg). They also have only allowed three passing touchdowns, tops in the SoCon.
In Mercer's 17-0 win over The Citadel, linebacker Isaac Dowling tied a career-high with 17 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack in the game.
Against Gardner-Webb, the Bears forced three Gardner-Webb turnovers. Cam Sims had a 67-yard pick-six to give the bears a 21-point lead at halftime.
No team has scored in the fourth quarter against Mercer.

MOVING UP IN THE POLLS

Mercer is ranked No. 12 in the AFCA Coaches FCS Top 25 and No. 12 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25.
That is the highest ranking in program history.

BY THE NUMBERS

13-0: Quarterback Fred Payton owns a 13-0 TD-INT ratio. He is one of three quarterbacks in the FCS, yet to throw an interception.
7: Mercer is looking to win its seventh consecutive game against the Catamounts.
173.0: Mercer's defense is allowing a conference low 173.0 passing yards per game. The Bears also have eight interceptions on the season, second-most in the SoCon.

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.

Game Preview: No. 12 Mercer Hosts Western Carolina

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Players Mentioned

Isaac Dowling

Devron Harper

Ty James

Fred Payton

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Mercer University Athletics

Game Preview: No. 12 Mercer Hosts Western Carolina

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Isaac Dowling

Devron Harper

Ty James

Fred Payton

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