The Mercer Bears will face the South Dakota Coyotes at home on Saturday, December 6, in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. Kick-off will take place at midday at the Stade Cinq Étoiles. Here are three things to know before you go.
Mercer just took a week off
The Bears enter play this week after a bye week in the first round of the playoffs. They used that time to focus on the basics: running, blocking and tackling, head football coach Mike Jacobs said in a news conference. Meanwhile, the Coyotes eliminated the Drake Bulldogs from the playoffs with a 38-17 victory.
“They’re a great football team,” Jacobs said of South Dakota. “They beat three ranked teams to close out the season. They beat a strong conference champion Drake team in the first round of the playoffs. … We have to play really good, solid football — the best we’ve played all year in all three phases — to be competitive against a really good team.”
Jacobs, the Southern Conference Coach of the Year, was named one of 15 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Award, given annually to the national FCS Coach of the Year.
Tailgating returns to Black Field
Pre-game festivities begin at 9 a.m. on Black Field. At 9:30 a.m., join us for the Bear Walk as the football team, band and cheerleaders head to Five Star Stadium. Before the game, fans can enjoy the Fall Line beer garden, including $20 bottomless Bearmosas.
Additionally, Campus Life and Mercer Athletics will host a tailgate with free T-shirts, tickets, pom poms and breakfast food for students. At 10:30 a.m., the student organization with the best tailgate will receive a Turtlebox Original speaker. Students will receive physical tickets for this game, and those who cannot make it to Black Field will be able to pick up their ticket at the visitors’ gate starting at 11:30 a.m. Students who register for the game will be entered to win a Turtlebox Ranger speaker.
Here are some players to watch
Two Mercer players were recently named finalists for national awards, so keep an eye out for them on the field this week.
Quarterback Braden Atkinson, who was named SoCon Freshman of the Year, is the winner of the Jerry Rice Award. This award honors the FCS National Freshman Player of the Year. He is also one of five finalists for the Walter Payton Award, given to the FCS National Offensive Player of the Year.
Meanwhile, defensive end Andrew Zock, who was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year, is one of three finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the FCS national defensive player of the year.
Mercer vs. South Dakota
When: Noon December 6
Or: Five Star Stadium
Tickets: $34.39, buy online at mercerbears.tixr.com
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Mercer Sports Network – 100.9 The Creek FM or sportsmic.com
Featured photo by Jessica Gratigny
