Bears Awarded No. 7 National Seed, 1st Round Bye In NCAA Playoffs
11/24/2024 2:05:00 PM | Football
INDIANAPOLIS – No. 7 National Seed Mercer will face the winner of the opening-round matchup between 10th-seeded Rhode Island and Connecticut State on December 7 at Five Star Stadium. Kickoff time and ticket information will be released later this week.
Â
It will mark the second-straight NCAA FCS Playoffs appearance for the Bears (10-2, 7-1 SoCon) who raked in their first Southern Conference championship outright with a 49-23 win over visiting Furman on Saturday evening in Macon. It was the ninth consecutive home triumph for the Orange & Black, who also matched the 2013 squad for the most wins in school history.
Â
Rhode Island (10-2, 7-1 CAA) captured the Coastal Athletic Association's (CAA) automatic bid on the way to registering a 10-2 mark during the regular season, including a 26-9 road win over then-No. 19 New Hampshire. The Rams will ride one of the nation's best offensive lines into the postseason, one that has allowed just 13 sacks all season (1.08/game), while also paving the way for graduate running back Malik Grant who has ran for 1,167 yards and 13 touchdowns through 12 games.
Â
Central Connecticut State (7-5, 5-1 NEC) claimed the Northeast Conference title, as well as the NEC's automatic bid, with a 21-14 win over 19th-ranked Duquesne on Saturday in New Britain, Conn. The Blue Devils are fueled by FCS's 8th-ranked rushing defense and 20th-ranked total defense which also ranks second, nationally, in turnovers gained and turnover margin. CCSU will also ride a four-game win streak into the postseason.
Â
It will mark the second-straight NCAA FCS Playoffs appearance for the Bears (10-2, 7-1 SoCon) who raked in their first Southern Conference championship outright with a 49-23 win over visiting Furman on Saturday evening in Macon. It was the ninth consecutive home triumph for the Orange & Black, who also matched the 2013 squad for the most wins in school history.
Â
Rhode Island (10-2, 7-1 CAA) captured the Coastal Athletic Association's (CAA) automatic bid on the way to registering a 10-2 mark during the regular season, including a 26-9 road win over then-No. 19 New Hampshire. The Rams will ride one of the nation's best offensive lines into the postseason, one that has allowed just 13 sacks all season (1.08/game), while also paving the way for graduate running back Malik Grant who has ran for 1,167 yards and 13 touchdowns through 12 games.
Â
Central Connecticut State (7-5, 5-1 NEC) claimed the Northeast Conference title, as well as the NEC's automatic bid, with a 21-14 win over 19th-ranked Duquesne on Saturday in New Britain, Conn. The Blue Devils are fueled by FCS's 8th-ranked rushing defense and 20th-ranked total defense which also ranks second, nationally, in turnovers gained and turnover margin. CCSU will also ride a four-game win streak into the postseason.
Mercer v. West Georgia | Baseball Highlight Reel: 4/7/26
Wednesday, April 08
Mercer Men's Lacrosse 2026 | vs. Utah | Full Game Highlights
Saturday, April 04
Mercer Women's Lacrosse 2026 | vs. Presbyterian | Full Game Highlights
Thursday, April 02
Mercer v. Kennesaw State | Baseball Highlight Reel: 3/31/26
Wednesday, April 01
