Mercer football started off its season with a 15-10 loss at home against Presbyterian College on Saturday. The team's opening home match marked their first official result after their season opener against the University of California-Davis ended in a 'no contest,' and did not contribute to either teams' statistics or record.
Both teams started out slow, with three three-and-outs and two punts dominating the box score in the opening quarter. The Bears broke through first, though, with four seconds left in the first quarter on an 11-yard pass from quarterback DJ Smith ‘26 to wide receiver Adonis McDaniel ‘27. McDaniel was Smith’s favorite target in the game, leading the team in receptions with five and scoring the team’s only touchdown, though he ended the game with negative five yards.
Presbyterian's defense solidified after the score, keeping Mercer scoreless in the second quarter. On offense, Smith’s deep ball lacked chemistry with his receivers, forcing the team to rely on short screen passes and runs to gain yardage. The Blue Hose then tied the game with a 29-yard pass touchdown pass. A missed extra point attempt allowed Mercer to keep a slim, 7-6 lead going into halftime.
The Bears' second drive of the third quarter was the last time Mercer added to the scoreboard as Reice Griffith '27 hit a 22-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-6. Presbyterian matched the Bears' field goal on their next drive just before the close of the third quarter.
Presbyterian’s quick passes and consistent run game left the Mercer defense, which was the best in the Southern Conference last year, in an uphill battle. The Blue Hose eventually found the end zone for the first time in the game with 56 seconds left in the fourth on a 16-yard run. Their nearly 6-minute long drive left Mercer’s offense in all-or-nothing mode, as it needed a touchdown in the final seconds of the game to secure a victory. Consecutive deep passes from Smith didn't connect with the Bears' receivers, leaving No. 11 Mercer stunned by their unranked opponent.
While cornerback Myles Weston '27 flashed the ballhawk tendencies that Mercer had last season with an interception in his own end zone late in the first quarter, Mercer's secondary was routinely exposed by their opponent. Presbyterian recorded more than 300 yards through the air and averaged 12.1 yards-per-catch, five yards more than Mercer's receiving corps.
This marks the Bears’ first home loss since 2023 and their first loss against Presbyterian in the modern era of college football, after trouncing them 45-7 in 2019 and 63-10 in last year’s home opener. The Bears will hope to bounce back in the first SoCon matchup at home against Wofford College (0-1) on Sept. 13 at 6 p.m.
Nevaeh Wilson '28 is majoring in Journalism and minoring in Film Studies. She has been writing for The Cluster since her freshman year, and has worked for Mercer's ESPN studio. She enjoys watching college and professional sporting events.
