Usher taking bigger role in senior season for Mercer

Payton Usher was a key player on Mercer’s 10-2 team in 2013, but his role has diminished as he has battled injuries the past two seasons.

Despite already being banged up a bit this season, Usher is once again a key piece to Mercer’s puzzle. In three games, the senior running back has more carries (28) and yards (168) than he had all of last season.

Usher opened the season with 10 carries for 89 yards against The Citadel and had 16 carries for 77 yards against Tennessee Tech before Mercer’s off week. The Bears travel to VMI at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday in search of their first Southern Conference win of the season.

“I felt really good after The Citadel game, especially the first half,” Usher said. “Things were rolling really well. I came in and had a big run on my first run, and then I got banged up and couldn’t get back to feeling normal.

“That’s kind of lingered on in the past two games, and after the bye week, I feel a lot better than I have all year, even before The Citadel game. I’m looking to have a big week and get our first conference win.”

Usher had 114 rushes for 776 yards in 2013, but his numbers dipped to 35 carries for 268 yards in 2014 and then to 26 carries for 142 yards last year.

With last year’s leading rusher, Tee Mitchell, and Jimmie Robinson both suspended, Usher has become the top backup to starter Alex Lakes. That combination is nothing new for Usher and Lakes as they played together in high school at Northgate in Newnan.

“The funny thing is Alex and I went to the same high school; we graduated together,” Usher said. “So we’re used to feeding off of each other, and I know what my role is. I try to do the best I can when I’m in and bring a spark to this team and make explosive plays. I’m looking to do that this week.”

The Bears’ running game could use a spark as it has yet to get rolling in high gear in the first three games. Last year, Mercer averaged 212.5 rushing yards per game after averaging 203.1 yards in 2014 and 277.9 yards in 2013.

Mercer has 447 rushing yards and is averaging 4.4 yards per carry and 149.0 yards per game. The Bears were off last week after their 1-2 start.

“No. 1, we’ve got to block better when (Lakes) is in there. Alex is a big back,” Mercer head coach Bobby Lamb said. “He’s 222, 223 pounds and has a knee brace on because he tweaked his knee early in the season, but he is feeling healthier every week. Last week was a good week for him because he’s fresher than he was the week prior. We’ve got to find ways to get him running downhill, and of course, when Payton comes in, he can stretch the field and run to the outside.

“It is going to be imperative to try and get Alex going on the inside to help open our entire offensive package.”

This story was originally published September 29, 2016 at 2:45 PM with the headline "Usher taking bigger role in senior season for Mercer."