Defense Bests Offense In Football Spring Game

MACON – JP Pickles threw a pair of first-half touchdown passes, and newcomer Simon Zeidan kicked a pair of field goals, but Mercer's defense put up a plethora of big plays in the final two minutes to register a 66-43 win over their offensive counterparts on Saturday at Five Star Stadium.

The defense, which used a specialized scoring system that included points for turnovers (6 points), sacks (3), 3-and-outs (2) and pass break-ups (1), scored the final 23 points of the contest. Shorter transfer Jaise Davis broke a 43-43 tie on a sack with 1:23 left to play.

"Just because it's a spring game, doesn't mean it is more important than any other practice that we have," said skipper Joel Taylor who was named the program's 22^nd head coach in December. "I am excited about this team and where we are headed.

"The guys came out here and competed today. We still have a long way to go, but I am excited about the guys and I think that the intent is really there."

Pickles got the traditional scoring started late in the first quarter when he connected with newcomer Asa Gregg on a 55-yard scoring strike, and then stretched the lead a handful of plays later when he hooked up with Apollos Cook on a 22-yard touchdown reception.

Zeidan kicked the first of two 40+-yard field goals in the second quarter when he connected on a 48-yard boot, but added another 3-pointer later in the afternoon, this time from 26 yards away. Sully Croker also got on the board with a 24-yard field goal. Zeidan nearly connected on a 52-yard attempt early in the second quarter, but his long-range kick hit the middle of the right upright.

But, the day belonged to the defense which carried a deficit on the scoreboard before exploding late. The Mercer D knotted the score up at 43-all on a 3-and-out with just more than two minutes left to play in the game, and Davis put the stop troops up for good when he got a hand on quarterback Jaylen King who was scrambling to escape the pressure.

"The offense and defense did well," Taylor said. "I am a defensive guy so, naturally, I may root for the defense, but I am pretty pissed when the offense is not moving the ball. We have got to be better, offensively, toward the end and we have to go down and be able to score points

"I was proud of the defense today, though. I didn't think that they had energy in the first half, but I thought that Coach Weaver and his staff went into the locker room and talked to them about giving us the energy that we need."

Although Saturday's event marked the conclusion of MU's 15-session spring practice season, the Bears will continue with strength & conditioning work, as well as limited on-field instruction, until May. The team will begin summer work in early June.

"I'd give the spring season a B-minus, maybe a C-plus," Taylor said. "I saw some good things. We did have some guys injured that are going to be key contributors for us, so you really don't get to see that. But, other guys got some opportunities which is good. I thought our intent was there, though. We still have a lot of getting better to do."

Defense Bests Offense In Football Spring Game

Players Mentioned

Apollos Cook

Sully Croker

Jaise Davis

Asa Gregg

Jaylen King

JP Pickles

Simon Zeidan

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