CFB
4th in Southern
Mercer Bears
👤 Coach: Joel Taylor
Next Matchup
📺 ESPN+
MER
6-2
CIT
Franchise & Season Facts
League & Division
College Football
4th in Southern
Overall Record
6-2
Home: — | Away: —
Leadership
Joel Taylor
Head Coach
Latest Mercer Bears News
- Board of Trustees elects new Trustees, officers; celebrates student success - Mercer University Google News · Mercer University ·
- 3 things to know about Mercer vs. The Citadel football game day: Oct. 31, 2026 - Mercer University Google News · Mercer University ·
- Mercer begins 4-game hunt for playoffs - mymcr.net Google News · mymcr.net ·
- Mercer Bears vs Chattanooga Mocs Prediction, Picks, Prop Bets For November 07, 2026 - NCAAF - Covers.com Google News · Covers.com ·
Roster Snapshot
#18 Samuel Albee
TE · 4 yrs
#51 Jake Atha
OL · 2 yrs
#99 Kehinde Akintunde
DL · 4 yrs
#19 Aaryn Askew
LB · 1 yrs
Full Season Schedule & Results
12 Games| Date | Opponent | Result / Status |
|---|---|---|
|
Week 1
|
vs
ETAM
East Texas A&M Lions
📺 ESPN
|
W 23 - 15 |
|
Week 1
|
vs
PRES
Presbyterian Blue Hose
📺 ESPN+
|
W 62 - 3 |
|
Week 2
|
vs
FUR
Furman Paladins
📺 ESPN+
|
L 13 - 20 |
|
Week 3
|
@
GT
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
📺 ACC Network
|
L 11 - 44 |
|
Week 4
|
@
ACU
Abilene Christian Wildcats
📺 ESPN+
|
W 34 - 17 |
|
Week 5
|
@
VMI
VMI Keydets
📺 ESPN+
|
W 54 - 3 |
|
Week 6
|
vs
WCU
Western Carolina Catamounts
📺 ESPN+
|
W 17 - 14 |
|
Week 7
|
@
SAM
Samford Bulldogs
📺 ESPN+
|
W 31 - 21 |
|
Week 9
|
vs
CIT
The Citadel Bulldogs
📺 ESPN+
|
Scheduled |
|
Week 10
|
@
UTC
Chattanooga Mocs
📺 ESPN+
|
Scheduled |
|
Week 11
|
@
TNTC
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
📺 ESPN+
|
Scheduled |
|
Week 12
|
vs
ETSU
East Tennessee State Buccaneers
📺 ESPN+
|
Scheduled |
Mercer Bears Roster & Depth Chart
Head Coach: Joel TaylorOffense (47)
| Player | Pos |
|---|---|
|
Samuel Albee
#18
6' 5", 245 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
TE |
|
Jake Atha
#51
6' 3", 290 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
OL |
Brody Balliew
#77
6' 5", 305 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
OL |
Micah Bell
#27
5' 10", 210 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
RB |
Cooper Berry
#87
6' 2", 235 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
TE |
|
81
Wayne Blake II
#81
6' 3", 185 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
WR |
Nick Buggie
#86
6' 3", 230 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
TE |
Devon Caldwell
#21
5' 9", 190 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
RB |
Kel Calixte
#4
6' 4", 210 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Florida Atlantic
|
WR |
Apollos Cook
#3
6' 3", 210 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
WR |
Abiathar Curry
#55
6' 3", 305 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
OL |
Malik Dryden
#38
5' 11", 210 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
RB |
Jayden Futrell
#85
6' 3", 190 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
WR |
Javarius George
#5
5' 10", 185 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
WR |
Asa Gregg
#17
6' 1", 190 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
WR |
Kaden Hanson
#88
6' 2", 250 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
TE |
Cam Hill
#8
6' 3", 200 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
QB |
Jamarcus Hill
#74
6' 5", 295 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
OL |
Michael Horton
#72
6' 4", 295 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
OL |
Bryson James
#25
5' 9", 180 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
RB |
Macin James
#59
6' 0", 335 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
OL |
Jaylen King
#2
6' 4", 210 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
QB |
|
62
Gavin Kirkland
#62
6' 4", 260 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
OL |
Jackson Kostmayer
#14
6' 6", 255 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
TE |
Zachary Lowe
#84
5' 8", 175 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
WR |
|
89
Andrew Marsden
#89
6' 4", 190 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
WR |
Billy Martin
#39
5' 8", 190 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
RB |
Jake Maxwell
#16
6' 3", 210 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
QB |
Reid McCollum
#82
6' 4", 215 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
TE |
Connor McGeehan
#80
6' 0", 190 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
WR |
Roman Mock
#73
6' 4", 290 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
OL |
Tyler J. Murray
#57
6' 2", 295 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
OL |
Zahmari Palode-Gary
#7
5' 8", 190 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
RB |
Adrian Parker
#6
6' 2", 225 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
QB |
JP Pickles
#19
6' 1", 215 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
QB |
Karlise Price
#15
5' 10", 180 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
RB |
McCord Purdy
#23
6' 1", 195 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
WR |
Eric Rasheed
#0
5' 9", 185 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
WR |
|
66
Emanuel Rumanura
#66
6' 6", 275 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
OL |
Jayce Sanker
#70
6' 4", 280 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
OL |
Luke Schultz
#71
6' 7", 295 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
OL |
Pierson Sears
#67
6' 1", 280 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
OL |
|
83
Camauri Simmons
#83
5' 10", 175 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
WR |
Brayden Smith
#9
5' 10", 185 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
WR |
Colby Smith
#20
5' 10", 185 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
RB |
Travion Solomon
#1
6' 1", 190 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
WR |
Braylon Stewart
#13
6' 0", 190 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
WR |
Defense (48)
| Player | Pos |
|---|---|
|
Kehinde Akintunde
#99
6' 5", 285 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
DL |
|
Aaryn Askew
#19
6' 3", 230 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
Christian Barrett
#17
6' 3", 190 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
CB |
Javious Bond
#30
5' 10", 185 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
CB |
Jayden Bowden
#53
6' 1", 220 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
Mac Bradley
#34
6' 2", 235 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
Eric Brantley Jr.
#10
6' 0", 240 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
Amari Brown
#28
5' 9", 195 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
S |
Antonio Butts Jr.
#33
6' 1", 230 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
Jyarius Carter
#0
6' 1", 240 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
|
41
Brian Clark II
#41
6' 4", 210 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
Ronin Dangler
#48
6' 0", 220 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
Jaise Davis
#44
5' 11", 205 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
Roman Douthit
#23
5' 10", 170 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
CB |
Brayden Dudley
#7
6' 2", 255 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
CJ Favors
#3
6' 0", 225 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
Justin Ferguson
#18
6' 0", 185 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
CB |
Jayvyn Fraziars
#31
6' 2", 205 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
S |
Nigel Gay
#24
5' 10", 190 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
S |
Kaiden Gibson
#47
5' 8", 190 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
S |
Cameron Goggins
#8
6' 2", 195 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
CB |
Brandon Gunn
#1
5' 11", 190 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
S |
Wyatt Hester
#52
6' 0", 210 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
Aiden Holewski
#90
6' 3", 250 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
DE |
Bryce Izundu
#43
6' 2", 230 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
Shareef Jackson
#21
5' 10", 180 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
S |
Ean Johnson-Kelley
#55
6' 1", 290 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
DL |
Jase Jordan
#26
6' 2", 220 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
Jacob Joseph
#35
6' 1", 230 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
Carter Kermott
#22
5' 11", 195 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
S |
Emmanuel Lane
#2
6' 2", 185 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
CB |
Thomas Lubben
#42
6' 2", 225 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
Delano Marcelus
#11
6' 2", 275 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
DL |
Sam Martin Jr.
#6
5' 10", 190 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
S |
Ethan McDowell
#14
6' 2", 245 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
Evin McDowell
#25
6' 2", 185 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
CB |
Kobe McInnis
#15
6' 2", 255 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
DE |
Ryan McNally
#20
5' 9", 170 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
S |
Kwaku Mensah
#61
6' 3", 240 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
DL |
Cam Moore
#4
6' 2", 290 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
DL |
Kanon Nelson
#49
6' 0", 210 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
LB |
CJ Peoples
#40
6' 1", 170 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
CB |
Mike Polke
#13
6' 0", 200 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
S |
Patrell Reddick
#94
6' 0", 250 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
DL |
Patrick Reddick
#69
6' 2", 250 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
DL |
Kai Reyes
#32
5' 11", 195 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
S |
Jeremy Richardson
#5
5' 11", 200 lbs
· 3 yrs
· Mercer
|
S |
McKaden Smith
#12
6' 0", 175 lbs
· 2 yrs
· Mercer
|
CB |
Special Teams (5)
| Player | Pos |
|---|---|
Kody Arnold
#97
5' 10", 175 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
P |
Sully Croker
#92
6' 0", 185 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
PK |
Jaiden Hamilton
#56
6' 2", 215 lbs
· 4 yrs
· Mercer
|
LS |
|
91
Benjamin Porter
#91
6' 1", 210 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
LS |
Senin Seymour
#96
6' 0", 175 lbs
· 1 yrs
· Mercer
|
P |
Mercer Bears Statistics & League Rankings
Official ESPN statistical splitPassing
Completion Percentage
64.3
Completions
119
Interception Percentage
4.30
Interceptions
8
Longest Pass
63
Net Passing Yards
1,360
Net Passing Yards Per Game
170.0
Passing Attempts
185
Passing Touchdown %
7.00
Passing Touchdowns
13
Passer Rating
141.0
Total Sacks
15
Sack Yards Lost
93
Yards Per Pass Attempt
7.4
Passing Yards
1,360
Passing Fumbles Lost
0
Team Games Played
8
Yards Per Game
422.5
Total Points Per Game
30.6
Total Points
245
Total Touchdowns
28
Passing Yards Per Game
170.0
Comp-Att
119-185
Sacks-Yards Lost
15-93
Rushing
Rushing Attempts
334
Rushing Yards
2,020
Yards Per Rush Attempt
6.0
Long Rushing
83
20+ Yard Rushing Plays
0
Rushing Touchdowns
13
Rushing Yards Per Game
252.5
Rushing Fumbles
0
Rushing Fumbles Lost
0
Rushing 1st downs
93
Team Games Played
8
Total Yards
3,380
Total Offensive Plays
534
Total Points Per Game
30.6
Total Points
245
Total Touchdowns
28
Receiving
Receptions
119
Receiving Targets
0
Receiving Yards
1,360
Receiving Yards
1,360
Receiving Touchdowns
13
Long Reception
63
20+ Yard Receiving Plays
0
Receiving Yards Per Game
170.0
Receiving Fumbles
0
Receiving Fumbles Lost
0
Receiving Yards After Catch
59
Receiving First Downs
56
Team Games Played
8
Yards Per Reception
11.4
Total Points Per Game
30.6
Total Points
245
Total Touchdowns
28
Miscellaneous
Total 1st downs
156
Rushing 1st downs
93
Passing 1st downs
56
1st downs by penalty
7
Third Down Conversions
32
Third Down Attempts
105
3rd down %
30.48
Fourth Down Conversions
8
First Downs Attempts
10
4th down %
80.00
Total Penalties
73
Total Penalty Yards
618
Possession Time Seconds
14531
Red Zone Field Goal Percentage
0.00
Red Zone Scoring Percentage
0.00
Red Zone Efficiency Percentage
0.00
Red Zone Touchdown Percentage
0.00
Total Takeaways
13
Total Giveaways
10
Turnover Ratio
3
Fumbles Lost
0
3rd down efficiency
32-105
4th down efficiency
8-10
Total-Yards
73-618
Defense
Solo Tackles
254
Assist Tackles
294
Total Tackles
548
Sacks
20
Sack Yards
125
Stuffs
74
Passes Defended
22
Average Interception Yards
12.5
Long Interception
38
Miscellaneous Touchdowns
0
Kicks Blocked
1
Tackles For Loss
42
Team Games Played
8
Defensive Interceptions
Interceptions
11
Interception Yards
138
Interception Touchdowns
2
INT: Total
11-138
General
Fumbles
7
Forced Fumbles
4
Fumbles Recovered
5
Fumbles Touchdowns
0
Games Played
8
Fumbles-Lost
7-0
Returning
Kick Returns
15
Kick Return Yards
270
Yards Per Kick Return
18.0
Long Kick Return
68
Kick Return Touchdowns
0
Punt Returns
11
Punt Return Yards
155
Yards Per Punt Return
14.1
Long Punt Return
45
Punt Return Touchdowns
0
Punt Return Fair Catches
0
Kick Return Fumbles Lost
0
Punt Return Fumbles Lost
0
Team Games Played
8
Punt: Total
11-155
Kicking
Field Goal Made
16
Field Goal Attempts
19
Field Goal Percentage
84.2
Long Field Goal Made
55
Field Goal Attempts 1-19
0
Field Goal Attempts 20-29
7
Field Goal Attempts 30-39
5
Field Goal Attempts 40-49
5
Field Goal Attempts 50+
2
Extra Points Made
27
Extra Point Attempts
27
Extra Point Percentage
100.0
Field Goals Made 1-19
0
Field Goals Made 20-29
6
Field Goals Made 30-39
4
Field Goals Made 40-49
4
Field Goals Made 50+
2
Total Kicking Points
75
Team Games Played
8
Touchback Percentage
75
Average Kickoff Return Yards
0.0
Kickoff Return Yards
0
Kickoff Returns
0
Kickoffs: Total
0-0
FG: Good-Attempts
16-19
Punting
Punts
40
Punt Yards
1,663
Long Punt
58
Gross Average Punt Yards
41.6
Net Average Punt Yards
41.6
Punts Blocked
0
Punts Inside 20
12
Touchbacks
0
Fair Catches
13
Punt Returns
11
Punt Return Yards
0
Average Punt Return Yards
0.0
Team Games Played
8
Punt: Total Yards
40-1,663
Scoring
Rushing Touchdowns
13
Receiving Touchdowns
13
Return Touchdowns
0
Total Touchdowns
26
Field Goals
16
Kick Extra Points
27
Total Two Point Conversions
0
Total Points
245
Total Points Per Game
30.6