Mercer carries three-game losing streak into game with ETSU

The Mercer Bears have lost three straight games in three different ways heading into their contest with East Tennessee State this week.

The Bears’ first loss of the season came to Tennessee Tech in a back-and-forth affair. Then Mercer rallied against Wofford only to come up short in overtime. And on Saturday, the Bears let a 21-3 first-half lead slip away in a 24-21 loss to Western Carolina.

Mercer enters Saturday’s game against the Buccaneers at 2-3, including 0-2 in the Southern Conference. After so many close conference losses last year, the Bears’ first two conference losses this year have both come by three points. Mercer is 1-8 in Southern Conference play, and six of those losses have been by single digits.

East Tennessee State will join the Southern Conference next year, so this week’s game counts as a non-conference contest. The Buccaneers are 0-5 and have surrendered at least 47 points three times.

STRUGGLING YELLOW JACKETS

Georgia Tech has lost four straight games for the first time with Paul Johnson as its head coach after dropping a 43-24 decision to Clemson.

The Yellow Jackets (2-4, 0-3 ACC) managed just 230 yards of offense against the Tigers. They host Pittsburgh on Saturday.

The Panthers beat Virginia to improve to 4-1 and at 2-0, and they are tied for first place in the Coastal Division with Duke.

BACK TO WORK

Georgia Southern is coming off an off week as it prepares to host New Mexico State in Sun Belt Conference play.

The Eagles are 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the conference, and they have won their first 10 games in the conference since joining the Sun Belt last year.

New Mexico State is 0-5 and lost its only conference game so far to Idaho.

BACK ON TRACK

After a loss to Alderson Broaddus in which Fort Valley State blew a big lead in the fourth quarter, The Wildcats returned to SIAC play in strong fashion with a 35-10 win over Kentucky State.

The Wildcats (4-2 overall) improved to 4-0 in the conference. They host non-conference foe Florida Tech on Saturday. The Panthers, who are members of the Gulf South Conference, are 3-3.

This story was originally published October 11, 2015 at 4:37 PM with the headline "Mercer carries three-game losing streak into game with ETSU ."