Mercer names starting quarterback for season opener

For the first time in the program’s history since its reboot in 2013, someone other than John Russ will start a game at quarterback this season.

Kaelan Riley is that someone.

Russ started all 46 games for the Bears the past four seasons, leading the program to a 27-19 record. Riley redshirted in 2016 while Russ and the Bears finished 6-5.

Riley earned four varsity letters playing in high school at Calhoun, which is coached by Hal Lamb, the brother of Mercer head coach Bobby Lamb. Riley finished with a 54-4 record and had 4,950 career passing yards and 48 career passing touchdowns.

He beat out Tanner Brumby for the starting nod. Brumby is a junior this season. True freshman Robert Riddle is the only other scholarship quarterback on the Mercer roster.

This story was originally published August 24, 2017 at 5:20 PM with the headline "Mercer names starting quarterback for season opener."