Newbauer, Dabbs help Mercer wrap up 1st outright Southern Conference title, beat Furman 49-23
MACON, Ga. -- — Whitt Newbauer threw three touchdown passes, two to Adjatay Dabbs, and Mercer defeated Furman 49-23 to win the outright Southern Conference title on Saturday.
The Bears (10-2, 7-1) , ranked ninth in the FCS coaches poll, scored 21 points in the first quarter and took a 28-10 halftime lead via CJ Miller's 3-yard run, Newbauer touchdown passes of 46 yards to Dabbs and 7 yards to Sawyer Burt plus Tommy Bliss' 35-yard fumble return.
Newbauer was 18-of-28 passing for 257 yards with his three TDs and an interception. Dabb finished with 181 yards on eight catches. Dwayne McGee added 74 yards on the ground for a Mercer offense that finished with 503 yards.
Trey Hedden was 19-of-41 passing for 210 yards with a touchdown and interception for the Paladins (3-8, 2-5). Colton Hinton had 109 yards receiving on nine catches with a score. Ian Williams tied his own school record with a 57-yard field goal.
------
AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25
Game Information
2024 Southern Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 7-1 | 11-3 |
| Western Carolina | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| Chattanooga | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| East Tennessee State | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Samford | 3-4 | 4-7 |
| The Citadel | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| Wofford | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| Furman | 2-5 | 3-8 |
| VMI | 1-7 | 1-11 |
NCAAF News
