Mercer football (3-2, 0-1 Southern Conference) came from behind against Abilene Christian University (1-4) in Abilene, Texas on Saturday, scoring 27 unanswered points to make the final score 34-17.
JP Pickles '28 was solid in his Bears starting debut, but completed only eight passes for 77 yards and a touchdown as Mercer kept the ball on the ground to wear away at a susceptible Wildcat defense. Pickles rushed 18 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns, teaming up with starting running back Devon Caldwell '30 to generate nearly 300 yards on the ground alone.
After a slow start, the Bears' turnover-generating defense picked up steam, forcing three consecutive interceptions from struggling starter Tucker Parks. Two of those came from Bears star cornerback Cameron Goggins '27, who now leads the conference in interceptions.
A 95-minute inclement weather break in the third quarter threatened Mercer's comeback momentum, but the Bears defense forced three straight turnovers and slowly churned out a win, relying on their ground game to finish out the fourth quarter.
Mercer's offense looked methodical on its first drive, not showing any of the rust expected with a new signalcaller. Pickles orchestrated a nine-play, 75 yard drive that ended in a six-yard touchdown pass to fifth-year Travion Solomon.
The Bears' defense couldn't stop anything ACU threw its way in the first quarter, though, letting in two straight touchdowns and 146 yards in the Wildcats' first two drives. A sack and a stifled ground game put Mercer on the back foot going into the second quarter, 14-7.
ACU extended their lead on a chip shot field goal to put the Wildcats up 17-7. After a penalty-laden drive that forced another Bears punt, Mercer's chances of regaining the lead looked grim against a potent ACU offense that could succeed on the ground and through the air.
A muffed punt by Wildcats returner Dillon Williams and recovered by Emmanuel Lane '27 on the ACU 28-yard line gave the Bears a spark, but Mercer was stifled after 15 more penalty yards forced a 44-yard field goal to make the score 17-10. Penalties plagued the Bears throughout the game. Mercer committed 89 yards of penalties compared to the Wildcats' 19.
After ACU drove into Bears territory on a deep shot from Parks, fifth year Sam Martin Jr. forced a fumble from Wildcats running back Jonathan French-Love. A crucial pass interference call, as well as a couple of quick passes from Pickles to wide receiver Brayden Smith '27 allowed the Bears to drive into ACU territory in the waning minutes of the half. Pickles ran a two-yard quarterback sneak to finally tie the game up for the Bears going into halftime.
After five-straight rushes from ACU to open the half, Parks' first pass attempt was intercepted by Goggins. A 95-minute lightning delay in stormy Abilene following the interception did not deter the Bears, who gained the lead for the first time since the first quarter on a 38-yard bomb from Pickles to Smith, making the score 24-17.
Yet another interception by Goggins deep in Wildcats territory gave the Bears a chance to double their lead. After eight straight rushes from a mixture of Solomon, Pickles and Caldwell, an incomplete pass and a scramble just short of the first down line forced the Bears into a 23-yard field goal.
The second of a pair of risky deep balls from Parks was intercepted by Justin Ferguson '29 on ACU's next drive, solidfying the lead for the Bears. A 59-yard touchdown sprint from Pickles near the two-minute warning gave the Bears the lead for good and completed the comeback.
A rushing-focused offense could give the Bears a solid identity heading into further conference play in October. With a depleted receiver corps and a wealth of talent in the backfield, Mercer are able to rely on Pickles' ability on the ground and the strength of their offensive line to bleed the clock and establish momentum in crucial moments later in the season. The Bears currently lead the conference in rushing yards, rushing attempts and yards per attempt on the season.
Mercer's next matchup will be against Virginia Military Institute on Oct. 3 in Lexington, Va.
Jacob Hossler '28 is an English and Law and Public Policy double major at Mercer University who has worked at the Cluster since his freshman year. While not serving as the Cluster's current Editor-in-Chief, he enjoys running, mapmaking, and using the Oxford comma.
