Bears Tabbed No. 10 In Lindy’s Preseason Ranking
6/28/2025 10:30:00 AM | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Mercer football team continued to receive preseason praise by national publications this week as the Bears checked at No. 10 in the Lindy's Sports FCS Top 25, while sophomore defensive end Andrew Zock was lauded as the Southern Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
The Orange & Black is one of three SoCon teams listed among the nation's top 25 teams in the magazine's "National 2025 Preview" edition that hit newsstands last week. East Tennessee State is nestled into the No. 16 position, while Chattanooga is ranked No. 22.
Zock was also tabbed as a second team selection on the magazine's Preseason All-FCS Team.
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.
The 10th-ranked Bears will open their 52nd season of intercollegiate football on August 23 when they pack up their show and head to Montgomery, Ala., to take on 4th-ranked and fellow 2024 NCAA quarterfinalist UC Davis in the FCS Kickoff inside the historic Cramton Bowl. Tickets for the game, which is slated for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN, can be purchased by visiting the FCS Kickoff ticketing portal.
Mercer will tote a 10-game home win streak into Five Star Stadium on August 30 when it suits up to battle Pioneer Football League foe Presbyterian at 6 p.m. The tilt with the Blue Hose is the first of five home games for the Orange & Black who will celebrate Homecoming on November 15 against Chattanooga.
Mercer returns nine starters, including six on the offensive side of the ball, from last year's squad that registered a program-best 11 victories amid its deep run into the NCAA postseason. 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 Orange & Black is one of three SoCon teams listed among the nation's top 25 teams in the magazine's "National 2025 Preview" edition that hit newsstands last week. East Tennessee State is nestled into the No. 16 position, while Chattanooga is ranked No. 22.
Zock was also tabbed as a second team selection on the magazine's Preseason All-FCS Team.
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.
The 10th-ranked Bears will open their 52nd season of intercollegiate football on August 23 when they pack up their show and head to Montgomery, Ala., to take on 4th-ranked and fellow 2024 NCAA quarterfinalist UC Davis in the FCS Kickoff inside the historic Cramton Bowl. Tickets for the game, which is slated for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN, can be purchased by visiting the FCS Kickoff ticketing portal.
Mercer will tote a 10-game home win streak into Five Star Stadium on August 30 when it suits up to battle Pioneer Football League foe Presbyterian at 6 p.m. The tilt with the Blue Hose is the first of five home games for the Orange & Black who will celebrate Homecoming on November 15 against Chattanooga.
Mercer returns nine starters, including six on the offensive side of the ball, from last year's squad that registered a program-best 11 victories amid its deep run into the NCAA postseason. 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.
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