Mercer Bears @ Samford Bulldogs
7-4, 5-3 Southern
44
7-4, 5-3 Southern
10-1, 8-0 Southern
50
10-1, 8-0 Southern
Game Leaders
514
F. PaytonQB
30/51, 2 TD, 1 INT
514
454
M. HiersQB
43/55, 4 TD
454
65
A. Wooten IIRB
17 CAR, 2 TD
65
62
J. StantonRB
19 CAR
62
351
T. JamesWR
13 REC, 2 TD
351
144
C. SmithWR
14 REC
144
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18
K. StandleyLB
18
10
K. MarshDB
10
Team Stats
695
Total Yards
633
2
Turnovers
0
33
1st Downs
34
5-82
Penalties
4-41
5/14
3rd Down
9/19
2/2
4th Down
3/4
30:13
Possession
59:47
Game Information
Birmingham, AL
1st Quarter
Touchdown
11:05 - 1st
7
MER
0
SAM
Ty James 23 Yd pass from Fred Payton (Devin Folser Kick)
7 plays, 91 yards, 2:56
Touchdown
8:52 - 1st
7
MER
7
SAM
D.J. Rias 29 Yd pass from Michael Hiers (Zach Williams Kick)
8 plays, 75 yards, 2:13
Touchdown
5:17 - 1st
14
MER
7
SAM
Al Wooten II 1 Yd Run (Devin Folser Kick)
9 plays, 86 yards, 3:27
Touchdown
3:05 - 1st
14
MER
14
SAM
D.J. Rias 8 Yd pass from Michael Hiers (Zach Williams Kick)
8 plays, 75 yards, 2:06
Field Goal
0:53 - 1st
17
MER
14
SAM
Devin Folser 22 Yd Field Goal
7 plays, 60 yards, 2:08
2nd Quarter
Field Goal
10:34 - 2nd
17
MER
17
SAM
Zach Williams 33 Yd Field Goal
17 plays, 62 yards, 5:14
Field Goal
0:00 - 2nd
17
MER
20
SAM
Zach Williams 30 Yd Field Goal
7 plays, 54 yards, 1:08
3rd Quarter
Field Goal
12:42 - 3rd
20
MER
20
SAM
Devin Folser 30 Yd Field Goal
7 plays, 52 yards, 2:13
Touchdown
4:12 - 3rd
20
MER
27
SAM
Jaylan Thomas 8 Yd pass from Michael Hiers (Zach Williams Kick)
13 plays, 78 yards, 5:12
4th Quarter
Touchdown
14:24 - 4th
20
MER
34
SAM
Michael Hiers 1 Yd Run (Zach Williams Kick)
10 plays, 81 yards, 2:40
Touchdown
14:09 - 4th
27
MER
34
SAM
Ty James 55 Yd pass from Fred Payton (Devin Folser Kick)
1 play, 55 yards, 0:07
Field Goal
10:42 - 4th
27
MER
37
SAM
Zach Williams 40 Yd Field Goal
11 plays, 53 yards, 3:27
Touchdown
5:31 - 4th
34
MER
37
SAM
Fred Payton 5 Yd Run (Devin Folser Kick)
11 plays, 71 yards, 5:06
Field Goal
0:07 - 4th
37
MER
37
SAM
Devin Folser 20 Yd Field Goal
15 plays, 90 yards, 3:47
Overtime
Touchdown
OT
37
MER
44
SAM
Judd Cockett 21 Yd pass from Michael Hiers (Zach Williams Kick)
2 plays, 25 yards
Touchdown
OT
44
MER
44
SAM
Al Wooten II 19 Yd Run Devin Folser Kick
2 plays, 25 yards
Touchdown
OT
44
MER
50
SAM
Quincy Crittendon 25 Yd Run
2 plays, 25 yards
Data is currently unavailable.
Win Probability
0%
--MER
100%
--SAM
According to ESPN Analytics
2025 Standings
FCS
| Southern Conference | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 8-0 | 9-3 |
| Western Carolina | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| East Tennessee State | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Wofford | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Chattanooga | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Furman | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| The Citadel | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Samford | 1-7 | 1-11 |
| VMI | 0-8 | 1-11 |
NCAAF News
Why John Beam's legacy extends beyond the football field
Kimberley A. Martin reports on how football coach John Beam, who was killed in 2025, left an indelible mark beyond the football field.
2h
Sources: MAC to add Sacramento State as football-only member
The MAC presidents have voted to add FCS Sacramento State into the league as a football-only member starting in 2026, sources told ESPN.
4h
WR Parker Kingston no longer at BYU after rape charge
Brigham Young says standout wide receiver Parker Kingston is no longer a student there after he was arrested this week on a first-degree felony rape charge.
1d