Mercer Bears @ Samford Bulldogs
7-4, 5-3 Southern
44
7-4, 5-3 Southern
10-1, 8-0 Southern
50
10-1, 8-0 Southern
Game Leaders
514
F. PaytonQB
30/51, 2 TD, 1 INT
514
454
M. HiersQB
43/55, 4 TD
454
65
A. Wooten IIRB
17 CAR, 2 TD
65
62
J. StantonRB
19 CAR
62
351
T. JamesWR
13 REC, 2 TD
351
144
C. SmithWR
14 REC
144
--
None
--
--
None
--
18
K. StandleyLB
18
10
K. MarshDB
10
Team Stats
695
Total Yards
633
2
Turnovers
0
33
1st Downs
34
5-82
Penalties
4-41
5/14
3rd Down
9/19
2/2
4th Down
3/4
30:13
Possession
59:47
Game Information
Birmingham, AL
1st Quarter
Touchdown
11:05 - 1st
7
MER
0
SAM
Ty James 23 Yd pass from Fred Payton (Devin Folser Kick)
7 plays, 91 yards, 2:56
Touchdown
8:52 - 1st
7
MER
7
SAM
D.J. Rias 29 Yd pass from Michael Hiers (Zach Williams Kick)
8 plays, 75 yards, 2:13
Touchdown
5:17 - 1st
14
MER
7
SAM
Al Wooten II 1 Yd Run (Devin Folser Kick)
9 plays, 86 yards, 3:27
Touchdown
3:05 - 1st
14
MER
14
SAM
D.J. Rias 8 Yd pass from Michael Hiers (Zach Williams Kick)
8 plays, 75 yards, 2:06
Field Goal
0:53 - 1st
17
MER
14
SAM
Devin Folser 22 Yd Field Goal
7 plays, 60 yards, 2:08
2nd Quarter
Field Goal
10:34 - 2nd
17
MER
17
SAM
Zach Williams 33 Yd Field Goal
17 plays, 62 yards, 5:14
Field Goal
0:00 - 2nd
17
MER
20
SAM
Zach Williams 30 Yd Field Goal
7 plays, 54 yards, 1:08
3rd Quarter
Field Goal
12:42 - 3rd
20
MER
20
SAM
Devin Folser 30 Yd Field Goal
7 plays, 52 yards, 2:13
Touchdown
4:12 - 3rd
20
MER
27
SAM
Jaylan Thomas 8 Yd pass from Michael Hiers (Zach Williams Kick)
13 plays, 78 yards, 5:12
4th Quarter
Touchdown
14:24 - 4th
20
MER
34
SAM
Michael Hiers 1 Yd Run (Zach Williams Kick)
10 plays, 81 yards, 2:40
Touchdown
14:09 - 4th
27
MER
34
SAM
Ty James 55 Yd pass from Fred Payton (Devin Folser Kick)
1 play, 55 yards, 0:07
Field Goal
10:42 - 4th
27
MER
37
SAM
Zach Williams 40 Yd Field Goal
11 plays, 53 yards, 3:27
Touchdown
5:31 - 4th
34
MER
37
SAM
Fred Payton 5 Yd Run (Devin Folser Kick)
11 plays, 71 yards, 5:06
Field Goal
0:07 - 4th
37
MER
37
SAM
Devin Folser 20 Yd Field Goal
15 plays, 90 yards, 3:47
Overtime
Touchdown
OT
37
MER
44
SAM
Judd Cockett 21 Yd pass from Michael Hiers (Zach Williams Kick)
2 plays, 25 yards
Touchdown
OT
44
MER
44
SAM
Al Wooten II 19 Yd Run Devin Folser Kick
2 plays, 25 yards
Touchdown
OT
44
MER
50
SAM
Quincy Crittendon 25 Yd Run
2 plays, 25 yards
Data is currently unavailable.
Win Probability
0%
--MER
100%
--SAM
According to ESPN Analytics
2025 Standings
FCS
| Southern Conference | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 8-0 | 9-3 |
| Western Carolina | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| East Tennessee State | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Wofford | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Chattanooga | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Furman | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| The Citadel | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Samford | 1-7 | 1-11 |
| VMI | 0-8 | 1-11 |
NCAAF News
2026 Pac-12 college football preview, predictions, top transfers and more
It still doesn't have 12 teams, but the conference has a new look with Mountain West heavyweights joining Oregon State and Washington State.
2h
Stafford on MCG game: Difficult? Yes, but cool to spread to the NFL
Reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford shares his excitement at playing in the Rams' historic Melbourne Cricket Ground game in Week 1, despite the long flight.
11h
HC Joey McGuire proud Brendan Sorsby getting help with gambling addiction
Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said he is proud of transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby for getting help with his gambling addiction.
15h