MU Dons Shells For First Time, Jacobs Impressed With Physicality

MACON – Milder temperatures thanks to cloudy skies, as well as the addition of shoulder pads to Mercer's battle gear, added to the physicality on the gridiron on Wednesday as the Bears continued their preseason prep at Five Star Stadium.

"I thought that there was good competition out there today," said Mercer head coach Mike Jacobs. "We have to continue to execute at a high level, but they are practicing really hard and we were really physical today."

A handful of returners continued to lead the way for the Bears, including preseason all-American defensive end Andrew Zock who continues to set the tone as MU's technician on the defensive side of the ball. Junior running back Autavius Ison, who spent the last two seasons in the backfield at Charleston Southern, turned some heads amid Wednesday's session as well.

Some young guys drew praise from MU's second-year skipper as well.

"In a competitive quarterback room, Braden Atkinson has continued to develop and grow offensively," Jacobs said. "Amarii Atchison - who has already played a bunch of football for us but is still just a sophomore - he continues to show some leadership and growth at left tackle. Defensively, there is a bunch of guys, but I thought that Ean Johnson-Kelley has really stood out the last few practices, especially today in pads."

Mercer will sport shells (helmets/shoulder pads) in 8:30 a.m. practice sessions on both Thursday and Friday at Five Star Stadium. The Bears are scheduled for their first session in full pads on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. All practices are open to the public, but bystanders are required to remain in the grandstands.

The 10^th-ranked Bears will lift the lid on their 51^st season of intercollegiate football on August 23 when they trek to Montgomery, Ala., to take on 4^th-ranked UC Davis in the FCS Kickoff. Mercer will open the home portion of its 2025 slate the following week (August 30) when it welcomes Presbyterian to Five Star Stadium for a 6 p.m. matchup.

Reserved-seat season tickets for the 2025 home football schedule have already gone on sale and can be purchased for as little as $75 by visiting MercerBears.com/Tickets. Access to game day parking in the BEAR PLUS lots will continue to be based on giving levels to the Mercer Athletic Foundation. For more information about the BEAR PLUS program, e-mail maf@mercer.edu or call (478) 301-4003.

MU Dons Shells For First Time, Jacobs Impressed With Physicality

Players Mentioned

Amarii Atchison

Braden Atkinson

Autavius Ison

Ean Johnson-Kelley

Andrew Zock

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