Looking at Game 7, Mercer

Who:  Mercer Bears

When:  October 18th, 2014 at 4:00 pm (EST)

Where:  Mercer University Stadium, Macon, Georgia

Series history:  This is the first ever meeting between Western Carolina and Mercer on the football field.  

Their coach:  Bobby Lamb  - Lamb enters his second season as head coach of the Bears. Lamb joined the Mercer coaching staff after nine seasons as head coach at Furman University and a 29-year overall relationship with the Paladins’ football program as a player, assistant coach and head coach.

Last year’s record:  After a long absence, football returned to Macon in 2013, and the Bears completed their inaugural season in the modern era with a 10 - 2 overall record. as a members of the Pioneer Football League.  The Bears set a NCAA Division I record for wins as a start-up program claiming 10 victories in the University’s first season in 72 years.

How they got there:  Mercer opened their return to football with a 40-37 victory over Reinhardt. The bears then went a perfect 8-0 at Mercer University Stadium. After being picked to finish 11th in the Pioneer Football League preseason poll, the Bears finished the year with a 6-2 conference record.  

Offensive Formation:  Pistol

Defensive Formation:   3-4

Lettermen Returning/Lost:   71 / 15  

Offensive starters - Returning/Lost:    11 / 0

Defensive starters - Returning/Lost:   11 / 0

Specialist Returning/Lost:    5  /  0

Statistics:
Scoring:   38.2 points per game
Rushing Offense:  277.9 yards per game
TDs rushing:   33
Passing Offense:   171.7 yards per game
TDs passing:    23
Total Offense:   449.6 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost:   14 - 9
Penalties-Yards:   62 - 538  
On-side kicks:  0 - 0
3rd Down Conversions:    64 - 152  (42%)
4th Down Conversions:    15 - 21  (71%)
Field Goals - Attempts:   13 - 16
Red-Zone Scores:     45 - 49  (92%)
Red-Zone Touchdowns:   33 - 49  (67%)

Losses/Weaknesses:  8 starters on offense are sophomores, 10 starters on defense are sophomores with only one season of playing experience.  Played their one and only season in a non-scholarship football league.  
-Key Losses -   No key losses from the first season.  

Strengths:   The Bears have all 22 of last season's starters returning
-Returning Leaders:   The Bears had seven individuals recognized by the conference, headlined by Offensive Freshman of the Year, John Russ, and First Team All-PFL linebacker Tosin Aguebor. Tight end Robert Brown was named second team all-conference, while Alex Avant, JeTarii Donald, Kirby 
Southard and Tyler Zielenske garnered honorable mention accolades.

Rushing leader -  John Russ - 160 carries, 903 yards, 12 TDs, 75.2 yards per game
Passing leader -  John Russ - 121-233, 1,916 yards, 21 TDs 

Receiving leader - JT Palmer - 30 REC, 521 yards, 7 TDs, 47.4 yards per game

Defensive leader - Tyler Ward - 101 TKL, 10.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks


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