Mercer defense puts clamps on Furman in 24-3 win
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- — Brandon Marshall ran for a pair of scores and Fred Payton threw for another and Mercer controlled Furman 24-3 in a Southern Conference opener on Saturday.
Payton threw a 35-yard touchdown to Ty James to complete a nine-play, 75-yard drive that put Mercer (2-1, 1-0) ahead 7-3. Marshall added touchdown runs of 10 and 1 yards in the second quarter for an 18-point lead.
Fred Davis added 94 yards on the ground with 18 carries for Mercer.
The Bears' defense stymied Furman (2-2, 0-1) quarterbacks Hamp Sisson who threw three interceptions and backup Jace Wilson who threw a pick.
----
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP--Top25
Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25
Game Information
2024 Southern Conference Standings
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Mercer | 6-1 | 9-2 |
Western Carolina | 5-2 | 6-5 |
Chattanooga | 5-3 | 6-5 |
East Tennessee State | 4-3 | 6-5 |
Samford | 3-3 | 4-6 |
The Citadel | 3-5 | 5-6 |
Wofford | 3-5 | 5-6 |
Furman | 2-4 | 3-7 |
VMI | 1-6 | 1-10 |