Bears open season without two key offensive players

The Mercer football team opens its season Thursday night at Five Star Stadium against The Citadel, and the Bears will do so without two key offensive players.

Running back Jimmie Robinson, a sophomore from Palm Coast, Florida, has been suspended for a violation of team rules. Wide receiver Chandler Curtis, a junior from Calhoun, is out with an ankle injury he suffered during the preseason. Chandler played just three games last year because of injury.

Number change: Senior safety Zach Jackson is wearing No. 6 in Thursday’s game.

Back in black: The Bears are wearing all black for Thursday night’s game.

New feeling: Thursday’s game marks the Bears’ first season opener that is also a conference opener as the Bears and Bulldogs play the first Southern Conference game of the season.

Familiar spot: Mercer quarterback John Russ and center Kirby Southard will make their 36th straight start against The Citadel.

Strong at home: Mercer is 15-6 at Five Star Stadium in its first three seasons. The Bears are 1-6 at home in Southern Conference games.

Close calls: The Citadel has defeated Mercer by two points in each of the past two seasons. In both games, the Bears had a two-point conversion try late to tie the game but came up short.

This story was originally published September 1, 2016 at 6:26 PM with the headline "Bears open season without two key offensive players."