Mercer Bears @ Samford Bulldogs
6-1, 3-1 Southern
35
6-1, 3-1 Southern
3-3, 2-1 Southern
55
3-3, 2-1 Southern
Game Leaders
Team Stats
391
Total Yards
446
5
Turnovers
3
17
1st Downs
19
5-50
Penalties
3-24
7/16
3rd Down
2/13
1/1
4th Down
2/2
31:13
Possession
28:47
Game Information
Birmingham, AL
1st Quarter
Touchdown
12:15 - 1st
0
MER
7
SAM
D.J. Rias 15 Yd pass from Quincy Crittendon (Wilson Beaverstock Kick)
5 plays, 30 yards, 1:22
Touchdown
11:32 - 1st
0
MER
14
SAM
D.J. Rias 15 Yd pass from Quincy Crittendon (Wilson Beaverstock Kick)
1 play, 15 yards, 0:08
Touchdown
10:59 - 1st
0
MER
21
SAM
E. Jai Mason 24 Yd pass from Quincy Crittendon (Wilson Beaverstock Kick)
3 plays, 26 yards, 0:28
Touchdown
8:25 - 1st
0
MER
28
SAM
Iaan Cousin 77 Yd pass from Quincy Crittendon (Wilson Beaverstock Kick)
1 play, 77 yards, 0:10
Touchdown
0:18 - 1st
7
MER
28
SAM
D.J. Smith 1 Yd Run (Reice Griffith Kick)
8 plays, 55 yards, 4:20
2nd Quarter
Touchdown
4:22 - 2nd
7
MER
35
SAM
Damonta Witherspoon 2 Yd Run (Wilson Beaverstock Kick)
15 plays, 73 yards, 5:53
Touchdown
0:22 - 2nd
7
MER
42
SAM
Damonta Witherspoon 4 Yd Run (Wilson Beaverstock Kick)
6 plays, 89 yards, 1:45
3rd Quarter
Touchdown
11:38 - 3rd
14
MER
42
SAM
Dwayne Mcgee 1 Yd Run (Reice Griffith Kick)
5 plays, 60 yards, 1:52
Touchdown
5:38 - 3rd
21
MER
42
SAM
Dwayne Mcgee 2 Yd Run (Reice Griffith Kick)
1 play, 2 yards, 0:04
Touchdown
2:25 - 3rd
28
MER
42
SAM
Samuel Albee 5 Yd pass from D.J. Smith (Reice Griffith Kick)
4 plays, 67 yards, 1:31
4th Quarter
Touchdown
11:43 - 4th
28
MER
48
SAM
Gavin Morris 55 Yd Fumble Return (Wilson Beaverstock PAT failed)
4 plays, 19 yards, 1:08
Touchdown
6:33 - 4th
28
MER
55
SAM
Noah Martin 26 Yd Interception Return (Wilson Beaverstock Kick)
2 plays, 0 yards, 0:15
Touchdown
1:42 - 4th
35
MER
55
SAM
Brayden Smith 5 Yd pass from Whitt Newbauer (Reice Griffith Kick)
9 plays, 75 yards, 4:51
Data is currently unavailable.
Win Probability
0%
--MER
100%
--SAM
According to ESPN Analytics
2026 Standings
FCS
| Southern Conference | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| East Tennessee State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Furman | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Mercer | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Samford | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Tennessee Tech | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| The Citadel | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| VMI | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Western Carolina | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Wofford | 0-0 | 0-0 |
NCAAF News
Sources: Tom Herman to join FSU as assistant to Mike Norvell
Florida State will hire former Texas, Houston and Florida Atlantic coach Tom Herman for this season, sources told ESPN's Adam Rittenberg Monday, and the 51-year-old who last coached in 2024 with the Owls, will become assistant to head coach Mike Norvell.
7h
Group of 11 athletes challenge new NCAA eligibility rules in suit
Eleven Division I athletes -- all who depleted their eligibility in the 2025-26 season, have filed a federal class action lawsuit alleging that the NCAA's new eligibility rules adversely affected their ability to extend their college careers.
13h
Ranking the best players in the college football transfer portal
We adjusted our ranking after removing former No. 1 player Brendan Sorsby.
17h