Mercer University
2-1 , 1-0
The Citadel
1-2 , 1-1
Team Stats
THECIT 0, MER 7
MER - Ty James 9 yd pass from Fred Payton (Devin Folser kick) 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:14
THECIT 0, MER 14
MER - Ty James 63 yd pass from Fred Payton (Devin Folser kick) 3 plays, 80 yards, TOP 1:22
THECIT 0, MER 17
MER - Devin Folser 23 yd field goal 7 plays, 33 yards, TOP 3:33
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Mercer Holds The Citadel Scoreless, Defeats the Bulldogs 17-0
9/17/2022 10:25:00 PM | Football, Athletics Department
Isaac Dowling tied career-high with 17 tackles
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer defense shutout The Citadel Bulldogs and Fred Payton connected with Ty James for two third-quarter touchdown passes, leading Mercer to a 17-0 victory over The Citadel in the Southern Conference opener for the Bears Saturday night at Five Star Stadium.
The Bears (2-1, 1-0 SoCon) limited the Bulldogs (1-2, 1-1 SoCon) to just 151 yards, and earned the program's first shutout since blanking Point, 69-0, on Sept. 2, 2021.
Isaac Dowling equaled his career high with 17 tackles (6 solo) in the win. The sophomore linebacker tallied 2.5 tackles for loss, including a sack.
Savio Frazier also set a career best with 10 stops, including 1.5 behind the line of scrimmage and one sack. Ken Standley netted seven tackles, including three for loss, a pair of sacks and a forced fumble.
Payton and James fueled the Mercer offense to the tune of 371 total yards. Payton was 16 of 24 passing for 224 yards and two touchdowns.
James caught a season-high seven passes for 138 yards and two scores. The Conyers, Georgia, native eclipsed the century mark in receiving yards for the second time in three games this season.
Austin Douglas led the rushing attack with 81 yards on 11 totes, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After a scoreless first half, Payton led a five-play, 75-yard scoring drive to open the third quarter that culminated with a 9-yard scoring toss to James.
Two drives later, Payton and James teamed up again for a 63-yard touchdown pass putting Mercer (2-1, 1-0 SoCon) up by two scores.
How about another view of the 63-yard TD reception from Fred Payton ➡️ @wr_james #RaiseTheBar | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/PfFJVlvYnm
— Mercer Football (@MercerFootball) September 18, 2022
Devin Folser kicked a 23-yard field goal with 2:41 left in the game to cap the scoring for the Bears. The Citadel tied together an 18-play, 70-yard drive at the end of the first half but came up empty for points as Jay Smith's 36-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right of the upright.
UP NEXT:
Mercer will return to the road next weekend with a non-conference tilt at Gardner-Webb. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. at Spangler Stadium in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.
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
