Mercer breaks multiple school records in 63-13 win over Morehead State

MACON, Ga. — The Mercer offense came out strong, scoring on the opening possession of the game, and set a school record for yards in a game, with 625 total yards, in a 63-13 win over Morehead State Saturday night at Five Star Stadium.

Fred Payton led Mercer’s passing attack with 248 yards passing and four touchdowns. Daniel Shoch also threw for a touchdown when he connected with Travion Solomon for a 15-yard touchdown. The five total touchdowns thrown by Payton and Shoch are a school record.

Payton’s most prolific target was Ty James. James finished with five catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns, all coming in the first half. His three touchdown receptions were the most by a Bear since the football program was reinstated 10 years ago in 2013.

The Bears rushed for 359 yards on the night. Austin Douglas led the Bears with 142 yards rushing on just five carries for an average of 28 yards per carry. Douglas broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run on the Bears’ second possession of the game to give the Bears an early 14-0 lead.

Al Wooten also went over 100 yards rushing on the day. Wooten rushed for 108 yards and had a team-high 13 carries.

The Bears set a school record with 10.8 yards per play. The explosive plays continued in special teams, as Devron Harper took back a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, late in the third quarter.

The Mercer defense came to play as well, holding Morehead State to 117 yards on the ground, on 42 carries for an average of 2.8 yards per carry.

The defense forced two Eagles turnovers. Cam Sims had his first interception as a Bear in the second quarter. Isaac Dowling forced a fumble that was recovered by Savio Frazier with under a minute remaining in the first half.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Bears marched right down the field on their opening possession of the game, going 65 yards in five plays, capped by a Ty James 43-yard touchdown reception from Fred Payton. After the Bears defense forced a three-and-out, Austin Douglas scored the next two touchdowns for the Bears as he ran away from the Eagles defense for

touchdown runs of 65 and 56 yards.

After Morehead State scored to make it a 21-7 game, the Bears scored twice in less than four minutes. Ty James scored his second touchdown of the game on a 29-yard touchdown reception from Fred Payton. The next possession, Fred Jackson took a handoff and sprinted around the corner for an 11-yard touchdown run.

James hauled in a 90-yard touchdown reception with 36 seconds remaining in the first half to give the Bears a 42-10 lead at halftime.

Devron Harper scored the next two Bears touchdowns, including his electrifying 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, which made it a 56-13 game.

UP NEXT

Mercer travels to Jordan-Hare Stadium for a matchup with the Auburn Tigers on Saturday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. ET.

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