No. 22 Mercer (2-1, 1-0 SoCon) will travel to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech (0-2) at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, opening a three-game road trip for the Bears. The Bears are 0-11 against FBS opponents since 2013, but the struggling Yellow Jackets present an intriguing matchup.
Mercer enters the game after falling 20-13 in an upset loss to Furman University in its Southern Conference opener last Saturday. The loss snapped the Bears’ 12-game Southern Conference winning streak and ended their three-game homestand to start the season.
The Bears will look to rebound offensively after struggling to turn yards into points against Furman. Quarterback Jaylen King ‘27 completed 18 of 35 passes for 196 yards and threw four interceptions, while fifth-year wide receiver Travion Solomon '27 led Mercer with six receptions for 120 yards. Solomon recorded three receptions of 30-plus yards and highlighted the Bears’ ability to create big plays through the air.
That explosiveness might be a strength against a Georgia Tech defense that has allowed 754 yards and 59 points through its first two games against the University of Colorado and the University of Tennessee. After coming into the year with ACC-leading hopes, the Jackets have struggled against non-conference teams and will look to claw back momentum against FCS Mercer before conference play begins in October.
The Yellow Jackets have struggled defensively, allowing 241 rushing yards per game while forcing no turnovers through the air thus far. Mercer will look to exploit this weakness in Tech's lineup by utilizing fifth-year running back Zahmari Palode-Gary, who has shown a penchant for explosive plays this year.
Jackets quarterback Alberto Mendoza has also struggled, throwing for one touchdown and two interceptions so far, while running back Justice Haynes has provided a consistent but mediocre output on the ground, rushing for just over four yards per carry with his longest carry going for just 20 yards.
Mercer’s defense will look to continue forcing turnovers after recording two interceptions against Furman. Cameron Goggins ‘27 and Justin Ferguson ‘29 each recorded their second interception of the season, while linebacker Jyarius Carter ‘29 led the Bears with 11 tackles. Mercer will need another strong defensive effort while exploiting Georgia Tech’s passing game and containing Haynes on the ground.
The matchup continues a long series between the two programs. Mercer defeated Georgia Tech 12-6 in the first meeting in 1892, which remains the Bears’ only win over the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech has won the last 14 meetings, including a 35-10 victory in the most recent matchup in 2016.
Kaylee Grace Buchanan '29 is double majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology with an minor in Religion. When not writing, she enjoys reading, baking and playing tennis. You can also catch her on the pickleball courts jamming out to some music as well.
