Bears look for next step in Southern Conference

By Daniel Shirley

July 21, 2016 10:32 AM

Sept. 1 vs. The Citadel: The Bulldogs have beaten the Bears by two points in each of the past two seasons. … W.

Sept. 10 at Georgia Tech: Mercer’s first game against an FBS program. … L.

Sept. 17 vs. Tennessee Tech: The Golden Eagles handed the Bears one of their many close losses last season. … W.

Oct. 1 at VMI: Mercer claimed its first Southern Conference win two years ago at VMI. … W.

Oct. 8 at Chattanooga: The Bears upset the Mocs last season. … L.

Oct. 15 vs. Western Carolina: The Catamounts beat the Bears on a last-play field goal in 2015. … W.

Oct. 22 at Austin Peay: The Governors finished 0-11 in 2015, including a loss to Mercer to open the season. … W.

Oct. 29 at Wofford: The Terriers are 2-0 against the Bears, including a one-point overtime game last year. … W.

Nov. 5 vs. East Tennessee State: The Buccaneers are entering their first season back in the Southern Conference. … W.

Nov. 12 at Samford: Macon native Chris Hatcher’s team won its final three games last year, including a win over the Bears to end the season. … L.

Nov. 19 vs. Furman: The Bears and Paladins have split their games the past two season by a total of 12 points. … W.

Total: 8-3, 6-2 Southern Conference.

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 10:32 AM with the headline "Bears look for next step in Southern Conference."