Athlon Sports Ranks Bears No. 17 in Preseason Top 25
5/24/2023 11:23:00 AM | Football
Mercer one of three SoCon teams in top 25
MACON, Ga. – Athlon Sports released its 2023 Preseason FCS Top 25 Rankings and coming in at No. 17 was the Mercer Bears. The Bears are one of three SoCon teams ranked by Athlon Sports along with Furman (No. 6) and Samford (No. 13).
Here is what Athlon Sports had to say about the Bears heading into the 2023 season: "Back-to-back seven-win seasons haven't been enough for a first-ever playoff bid. Touchdown-making wide receivers Devron Harper and Ty James, linebacker Isaac Dowling and safety Lance Wise plan to take the Bears over the hurdle."
Last season, Mercer was ranked as high as No. 11 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, the highest ranking in program history. The Bears finished the year with the No. 1 scoring offense in the SoCon, averaging 38.2 points per game. On the other side of the ball, the Mercer defense led the FCS during the regular season with 17 interceptions.
Mercer had 12 players named to the All-Conference teams last season, including returning wide receiver Devron Harper who was named the first AP All-American in school history.
Mercer led the Southern Conference in home game attendance last season with an average of 10,605 fans.Â
Mercer will play its season opener on August 26 in the 2023 FCS Kickoff game against North Alabama on ESPN. Game times and themes for Mercer's five home games inside Five Star Stadium have been released. Click here to view the full 2023 schedule.Â
Season Tickets Available
To secure your place at Five Star Stadium for Coach Drew Cronic's fourth season with the Bears, you can purchase Mercer Football season tickets by clicking here or calling the Mercer ticket office at (478) 301-5470.
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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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Here is what Athlon Sports had to say about the Bears heading into the 2023 season: "Back-to-back seven-win seasons haven't been enough for a first-ever playoff bid. Touchdown-making wide receivers Devron Harper and Ty James, linebacker Isaac Dowling and safety Lance Wise plan to take the Bears over the hurdle."
Last season, Mercer was ranked as high as No. 11 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, the highest ranking in program history. The Bears finished the year with the No. 1 scoring offense in the SoCon, averaging 38.2 points per game. On the other side of the ball, the Mercer defense led the FCS during the regular season with 17 interceptions.
Mercer had 12 players named to the All-Conference teams last season, including returning wide receiver Devron Harper who was named the first AP All-American in school history.
Mercer led the Southern Conference in home game attendance last season with an average of 10,605 fans.Â
Mercer will play its season opener on August 26 in the 2023 FCS Kickoff game against North Alabama on ESPN. Game times and themes for Mercer's five home games inside Five Star Stadium have been released. Click here to view the full 2023 schedule.Â
Season Tickets Available
To secure your place at Five Star Stadium for Coach Drew Cronic's fourth season with the Bears, you can purchase Mercer Football season tickets by clicking here or calling the Mercer ticket office at (478) 301-5470.
Â
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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