Carter Crowned SoCon Defensive Player Of The Week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A lockdown performance on the defensive side of the ball, including a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown in the opening quarter, led to high praise for Jyarius Carter on Monday afternoon when the sophomore linebacker was named the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league office announced.

Carter, a product of Douglas, Ga., totaled seven tackles (3 solo), as well as a momentum-building pick-six in the game's first four minutes, amid 13^th-ranked Mercer's 31-21 victory at Samford on Saturday evening in Birmingham, Ala. He finished the evening with seven tackles (3 solo), including a 9-yard sack on third down that stalled a late-second quarter drive by the hosts.

Saturday's result marked just the third road win for the Bears in the 117-year-old series with Samford, and their first triumph in Birmingham since 2018.

Mercer (6-2, 3-1 SoCon) will enjoy a much-needed bye week this week before resuming its 2026 slate on October 31 when the Orange & Black culminates Homecoming Week on campus with a key league tilt against The Citadel (2-5, 0-3) at Five Star Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting MercerBears.com/Tickets.

Carter Crowned SoCon Defensive Player Of The Week

Players Mentioned

Jyarius Carter

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