Mercer University
2-1 , 2-0
The Citadel
1-3 , 1-1
No. 25 Bears Steamroll The Citadel
9/20/2025 1:55:00 PM | Football
It was the sixth consecutive victory over a Southern Conference opponent for the Bears (2-1, 2-0 SoCon) who improved to 8-5 in SoCon road openers with the result as well. It was the second home loss in as many games for the Bulldogs (1-3, 1-1) who topped Samford (40-13) in a league road contest earlier this season.
| THE BASICS |
| SCORE: Mercer 38, The Citadel 0 RECORDS: Mercer 2-1 (2-0 SoCon); The Citadel 1-3 (1-1 SoCon) LOCATION: Charleston, S.C.. (Johnson Hagood Stadium) |
| HOW IT HAPPENED |
| 1ST QUARTER |
| Braden Atkinson's 18-yard touchdown pass to Adjatay Dabbs capped a 3-play, 71-yard scoring drive that milked just 77 seconds off of the game clock. The touchdown pass was set up by Atkinson's 49-yard pass to Kendall Harris just seconds before. MU 7, CIT 0 The Bears started their second possession of the afternoon inside their own 10-yard line, but still managed to come away with points. Braden Atkinson completed seven of his eight pass attempts for 55 yards to move MU all the way to The Citadel 33-yard line. Reice Griffith took care of the rest by connecting on a career-long 51-yard field goal. MU 10, CIT 0
|
| 2ND QUARTER |
The Bears were methodical on a 12-play, 82-yard touchdown drive that put the last points of the first half on the scoreboard. Braden Atkinson completed all six of his pass attempts for 78 yards, including the last two plays of the possession that resulted in completions of 22 and 29 yards. MU 17, CIT 0
|
| 3RD QUARTER |
Mercer played the field position game to set itself up at The Citadel 44-yard line late in the third period, and followed with an 8-play scoring drive that was culminated on Braden Atkinson's 12-yard touchdown toss to Adonis McDaniel. The possession was keyed by a 10-yard reception by Micah Bell that successfully converted a 3rd-and-4 situation at the 38-yard line. MU 24, CIT 0
|
| 4TH QUARTER |
Julian Fox's interception near midfield set the Bears up to score the final points of the afternoon. Kendall Harris capped an 8-play, 51-yard scoring drive with an 8-yard touchdown reception just less than four minutes later. MU 38, CIT 0
|
| INSIDE THE BOX SCORE |
| + Freshman Braden Atkinson threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns on 28-of-34 passing with no interceptions. He became the first Mercer quarterback to throw four touchdown passes since former MU standout Fred Payton accomplished the same task at VMI in 2022. + Sophomores Kendall Harris (8 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD) and Adjatay Dabbs (7-100, 2 TD) became the first MU duo in two seasons to register 100 or more receiving yards in the same game. Dabbs registered 100 yards and both touchdown receptions in the first half alone. + Junior CJ Miller carried the ball seven times for 100 yards, including a 79-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth period. The scoring jaunt marked the longest rush in program history. + Junior Drew Clare and sophomore Julian Fox both turned in a team-best nine tackles. Fox also logged his first career interception. + Junior Reice Griffith tallied eight points in Saturday's victory, including a 4-for-4 showing on PAT attempts. He also connected on a career-long 51-yard field goal in the first quarter. |
| NOTABLES |
| + The Bears have captured 14 of their last 16 games against Southern Conference opponents dating back to a 38-3 win over VMI on Sept. 30, 2023. Mercer has also won six-straight games against league foes. + Mercer has now registered shutouts in consecutive road games against Southern Conference foes. The Bears posted their first road shutout of a conference opponent on November 9 of last season. + The Orange & Black went turnover free on Saturday against The Citadel. It is the first time the Bears have not committed a turnover since their shutout at VMI last season. |
| UP NEXT |
| Mercer will close out its 2-game road trip on September 27 when it makes the long trip to Johnson City, Tenn., to take on Southern Conference rival East Tennessee State. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside William B. Greene Jr. Stadium. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting the ETSU ticket office homepage. |
| STAY CONNECTED |
| Follow Mercer Football on Twitter and Instagram and "Like" Mercer Football on Facebook. |
| SUPPORT THE BEARS |
| Support the Mercer athletics department by making a gift to the Mercer Athletic Foundation. To find out more information about the Mercer Athletic Foundation, email maf@mercer.edu. |
Team Stats
MER 7, CIT 0
MER - Dabbs,Adjatay 18 yd pass from Atkinson,Braden (Griffith,Reice kick) 3 plays, 71 yards, TOP 01:17
MER 10, CIT 0
MER - Griffith,Reice 51 yd field goal 12 plays, 58 yards, TOP 05:43
MER 17, CIT 0
MER - Dabbs,Adjatay 29 yd pass from Atkinson,Braden (Griffith,Reice kick) 11 plays, 82 yards, TOP 06:14
MER 24, CIT 0
MER - McDaniel,Adonis 12 yd pass from Atkinson,Braden (Griffith,Reice kick) 8 plays, 44 yards, TOP 03:08
MER 31, CIT 0
MER - Miller,CJ 79 yd run (Griffith,Reice kick), 3 plays, 94 yards, TOP 01:14
MER 38, CIT 0
MER - Harris,Kendall 8 yd pass from Atkinson,Braden (Griffith,Reice kick) 8 plays, 51 yards, TOP 03:55
