Bears Open Up Spring Practice On Wednesday

MACON – Just more than three months removed from securing its first Southern Conference title in program history under the direction of first-year head coach Mike Jacobs, the nationally-ranked Mercer football team will return to the practice field on Wednesday morning for the first of an NCAA-allotted 15 spring practice sessions.

All practice sessions are open to the general public, but spectators are asked to stay inside the seating and concourse areas at Five Star Stadium for the entirety of the practice session. The 2025 Orange & Black Spring Game will be held on April 5.

Wednesday's session, the first of three practices for the squad this week, is scheduled to begin at 6:30 a.m.

Mercer returns a dozen starters, including seven on the offensive side of the ball, from last year's squad that registered a program-best 11 victories amid its run to the NCAA FCS Quarterfinals. The list of returning starters includes a host of all-conference standouts, including defensive end Andrew Zock, offensive guard Tyler Murray, punter John McConnell and return specialist Brayden Smith.

The program will lift the lid on its 52^nd season of intercollegiate football on August 23 when they trek to Montgomery, Ala., to face nationally-ranked UC Davis in the FCS Kickoff at the historic Cramton Bowl. The Bears will play the first of five home games the following week (August 30) when they suit up to battle Presbyterian at Five Star Stadium.

Season tickets for Mercer's 5-game home slate have already gone on sale, and can be purchased for as little as $75 by visiting MercerBears.com/Tickets. Start times for each game will be announced later this spring.

MERCER FOOTBALL SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Date	Time	Note(s)
February 26	6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Helmets Only
February 27	6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Helmets Only
February 28	6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Shells/No Tackling
March 11	6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Shells/No Tackling
March 13	6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Full Pads
March 15	8:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.	Full Pads
March 18	6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Shells/No Tackling
March 20	6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Shells/No Tackling
March 22	10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Full Pads
March 25	6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Shells/No Tackling
March 27	6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Shells/No Tackling
March 29	1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.	Full Pads
April 1	6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Shells/No Tackling
April 3	6:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Shells/No Tackling
April 5	12:30 p.m. (Pregame)	Spring Game

Players Mentioned

John McConnell

Tyler Murray

Brayden Smith

Andrew Zock

Footer

Mercer University Athletics