Lee Bennett’s big play keys Mercer in opener

The Mercer lead stood at seven points Saturday, and Austin Peay was driving in the fourth quarter toward a game-tying score.

The Bears’ defense needed a play, and sophomore linebacker Lee Bennett stepped up to make that play. And that came as no surprise to inside linebackers coach Grant Cain.

“It was a big play. He does that all the time,” Cain said as the Bears came away with a 28-7 win. “He has a knack for the ball, and he tends to end up with the ball. He does those things all the time in practice, and we kind of expect them.”

Head coach Bobby Lamb agreed.

“We needed something good to happen because we hadn’t had a turnover all night. And we needed something to happen there, a fourth-down stop or something, and Lee Bennett comes up with a big play,” Lamb said. “The more he plays, the better he gets, and it’s going to be hard getting him off the field.”

That would be just fine with Bennett, who is part of a deep and talented inside linebackers group. He had two tackles in the game, including a half-tackle for loss, and there was the key interception, of course.

Mercer was leading 14-7 at the time, and the Bears’ offense responded with two scores after Bennett’s interception that came on a tipped ball.

“I first saw a pass read, and then I saw the running back step up, and I knew it was a screen, so I attacked it,” Bennett said. “Luckily, he dropped the ball. I was just excited. I just wanted to get up and celebrate with my teammates.”

“Our defense was a little weary, and our backs were against the wall, so I knew I had to make a play. And then it was fun watching the offense take care of business out there.”

The Bears look to continue to take care of business Saturday as they face Stetson in the home opener at Five Star Stadium. Mercer has defeated the Hatters the past two years, and the Bears are looking forward to their only home game of the first month of the season.

“It’s going to be exciting,” Bennett said. “It’s always fun to play at home in front of our fans.”

This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 8:38 PM with the headline "Lee Bennett’s big play keys Mercer in opener ."