Mercer win over Chattanooga sets the Bears up for a conference title showdown

Mercer kept its playoff and Southern Conference title hopes alive, knocking off Chattanooga 10-6 on the strength of its defense.

Both offenses struggled through the first quarter. Mercer’s four drives in the opening quarter ended in punts. While Chattanooga’s three drives ended in a missed field goal, an interception and a punt.

The Mocs got into the end zone first on a rushing touchdown by Ailym Ford from 10 yards out. Chattanooga kicker Aaron Sears missed the extra point. The second of three misses by the junior kicker.

The Bears put together its lone scoring drive following the score by Chattanooga. Mercer had a 12 play, 68 yard drive that took nearly seven minutes off the clock and was capped by a Fred Payton touchdown to tight end Drake Starks on a screen pass.

Mercer’s defense came up with fumble recoveries on the final drive of the first half and the opening drive of the second half. Despite forcing five turnovers, the Bears scored no points off of turnovers the entire game.

On the Bears’ first drive of the second half drove down or a 52-yard field goal attempt by Devin Folser. The defense would once again hold and force a punt.

Mercer’s next drive looked to be destined for points after Payton hit wide receiver Devron Harper for a 29 yard gain to get inside the Chattanooga 15-yard line.

Payton threw a pass into coverage near the goal line, the Mocs’ Ty Boeck leaped into the air to pull down the interception. Boeck raced down the field before Payton pushed him out of bounds at the Mercer 10-yard line.

The tackle by Payton proved to be the play of the game as the Mocs were unable to get it into the end zone. Sears attempted another field goal, this one inside the 20, but he would once again miss wide right.

The Bears forced turnovers on back-to-back drives, including an interception on a deep pass by Lance Wise. Mercer’s offense was unable to capitalize on either turnover but drained more than three minutes off the clock. The Mocs were pinned deep in their own territory. After their drive stalled and were forced to punt, Mercer marched down the field for a Devin Folser field goal to put the Bears up 10-6 with under two minutes to play.

On the ensuing kickoff, Folser hit a line drive squib kick to avoid a return by Chattanooga. The ball hit a Mocs player in the back and bounced back towards the Bears who pounced on it allowing them to hang on for the win.

Three stars:

Mercer defense: The star of this game is pretty clear. Against one of the best teams in the conference in turnover margin, the Bears defense came up with a 5-1 advantage. Mercer’s ability to come up timely turnovers has been the story all season. It was big in the win on the road against Western Carolina and the home victory over Samford. But none may top the performance they put on with their title hopes on the line.

Fred Payton, Mercer quarterback : Payton’s stats don’t pop off the paper in this game. It’s the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet have him as a star of the game. After the interception he threw, he chased down the defender to stop a touchdown on the play in the opposite direction. The hustle turned out to be a turning point. On the Bears lone scoring drive, it was Payton’s ability to pull the ball on the read option that set them up for the score. The Coastal Carolina transfer has brought a lot to the Bears in terms of attitude and leadership.

The breaks: The old saying goes it’s better to be lucky than good.

Mercer was outgained by the Mocs. The offense struggled throughout the game. The defense gave Chattanooga multiple chances to score but three missed kicks proved to be a difference maker. Two of those three kicks were chip shots.

The Mocs should’ve had a chance to take the lead on the final drive of the game but the ball simply bounced in Mercer’s favor once again. This team went through a coaching change in COVID-19.

The Bears should not be set to play in a game next week with a conference title on the line this quickly, yet they are. In years past, the breaks have never seemed to go in the Bears’ favor but this season it has.

They said it:

“If you look back and you win a championship, you can go back to that moment and say because we were busting our tail and wouldn’t just let them have it. That is the reason we won the game. That turn of events kept us alive.” -Mercer head coach Drew Cronic on Fred Payton’s chase down on the interception.

“Sometimes it just goes your way... We were just trying to squib it down there so they can’t have a big return. You are trying to be safe. It was unlucky for them and lucky for us.” -Cronic on the squib kick turned onside kick.

“They are overachieving. I am not going to lie to you. We just beat a more talented team. That is really talented, good football team we just played. But we have enough talent that when our guys do things the right way and care about each other they find ways to win games. That is where we have gotten to but we got a long way to go. We want to build something that is going to last.” -Cronic on getting the win and playing for a SoCon title.

What’s next?

Mercer at ETSU

The Bears are tied with the Bucs at the top of the SoCon standings. In the regular season finale, Mercer will have a chance to play for their first SoCon title and a berth in the FCS playoffs. A loss may leave Mercer on the outside looking when it comes to the playoffs. This feels like a must win for the Bears.

This story was originally published November 13, 2021 at 7:33 PM.