Mercer football (5-2, 2-1 Southern Conference) rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat Western Carolina University (3-4, 1-2) 17-14 on a last-second field goal at Five Star Stadium in Macon on Saturday, Oct. 10. The Bears overcame a sluggish offensive start with two touchdown drives in the second half before kicker Simon Zeidan ‘29 sealed the win with a 42-yard field goal as time expired.
Mercer's defense kept the game within reach throughout the first half, holding Western Carolina scoreless in the opening quarter and limiting the Catamounts' rushing attack.
Despite the defensive effort, Mercer struggled to generate points on a rainy afternoon. After starting the first quarter three for six for 10 yards and an interception, starter Jaylen King '27 was benched for JP Pickles '27, even after head coach Joel Taylor assured King would remain the starter in last week's press conference.
Pickles remained the starter for the rest of the game, but struggled early, being picked off by Jayden Cornelius near midfield on his second drive. The Bears were able to stop the Catamounts on that drive due to an interception by Evin McDowell ‘30, the first of his collegiate career, but Western Carolina broke the scoreless tie in the second quarter with an 82-yard drive led by quarterback Lex Thomas.
The Catamounts carried their 7-0 advantage into halftime, leaving Mercer searching for an offensive spark.
The Bears found their answer late in the third quarter. Quarterback JP Pickles ‘28 connected with Samuel Albee ‘27 for a 12-yard completion to move Mercer into Western Carolina territory before finding Brayden Smith ‘27 for an 18-yard touchdown.
Mercer took its first lead early in the fourth quarter with a four-play, 99-yard touchdown drive. Pickles opened the possession with a 26-yard run, and 5th year running back Zahmari Palode-Gary added a 12-yard gain to keep the drive moving. Pickles then connected with Palode-Gary for a 63-yard touchdown pass after the Catamounts failed to get to the pocket on an all-out blitz that left the fifth-year running back wide open, putting Mercer ahead 14-7 with just over six minutes remaining.
Western Carolina answered with a 75-yard drive over 16 plays to tie the score at 14. Thomas contributed through the air and on the ground before the Catamounts finished the possession with a trick play. Wide receiver Jai Boyd threw a touchdown pass to Thomas, erasing Mercer's seven-point lead.
With 81 seconds remaining, Mercer took possession at its own 26-yard line and began its final push for the win. Pickles ran the Bears downfield, including a 15-yard scramble that brought Mercer inside the 30-yard line. A facemask penalty against Western Carolina helped extend the drive and put the Bears in position for the game-winning kick. After Palode-Gary gained 4 yards, Zeidan took the field and drilled a 42-yard field goal as time expired, giving Mercer the 17-14 victory.
Pickles finished with just 132 passing yards and two touchdowns on 12-of-15 passing, but was able to lead the Bears offense through his legs. He finished the game with 86 yards on 21 attempts, leading the team. Palode-Gary accounted for 129 all-purpose yards, including 66 rushing yards and his 63-yard touchdown reception. Defensively, Ronin Dangler ‘30 and Jyarius Carter ‘29 each recorded a team-high nine tackles.
The Bears defense has rounded into form as the team heads deeper into SoCon play., while Mercer hopes that a Pickles-led offense will provide it more consistency down the stretch.
The win improved Mercer to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in Southern Conference play. The Bears will next travel to Birmingham, Ala. to face struggling Samford University (1-5, 1-2 SoCon) on Saturday, Oct. 17, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
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.
