SATURDAY STAR
Mercer quarterback John Russ's stats aren't eye-popping. He ran for 56 yards and a touchdown and threw for another 162 and a score. But on the final drive when the team needed to keep the ball away from the Mocs, he was clutch, with three consecutive runs - including the clincher on fourth down at the Mocs' 42.
SATURDAY STAT
The Mocs had 417 yards of total offense but scored just 14 points and punted only one time. They made four turnovers and missed a field-goal try, and on the first possession of the second half they drove 66 yards on nine plays only to have quarterback Jacob Huesman stopped twice at the Mercer 1-yard line.
TURNING POINT
After Mercer scored to make it 17-7 early in the third quarter, the Mocs drove right back downfield and quickly got to the Bears' 9-yard line. From there they had a 1-yard run, a 5-yard completion and two runs that ended short of the goal line and gave the ball back to the Bears with no points.
THE BIG PLAY
The Mocs forced a fourth down late in the game but having no timeouts they had to stop the Bears in hopes of giving the offense one more shot. Mercer called Russ's number, and he battled up the middle for 2 yards, which effectively ended the game.
WHAT IT MEANS
The loss hurts and will knock the Mocs down in the national rankings, but they still can win the Southern Conference. They'll have to defeat a Citadel team next week that is hot and also can sense the FCS playoffs, but maybe it was a defeat the Mocs needed to assure their focus. Now their playoff lives are at stake.