Mercer rolls past Western Carolina 49-6, stays perfect in SoCon play

No. 12 Mercer scored touchdowns on six of its nine drives in the opening half en route to 49-6 victory over Western Carolina Saturday evening at Five Star Stadium.

The Bears (5-1, 3-0 SoCon) forced five turnovers, including four interceptions. Mercer also limited their fourth consecutive opponent to under 100 yards rushing, as the Catamounts (3-3, 1-2 SoCon) gained only 74 yards on the ground.

Isaac Dowling posted team highs with seven total tackles (3 solo), including 1.5 for loss, and two interceptions. TJ Moore and Shi’heem Watkins also picked off passes, while Isaiah Washburn forced a fumble and Zach Hopkins jumped on top of it.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Bears racked up 520 total yards, including 257 on the ground.

Fred Payton threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Payton connected on 16 of 22 attempts. Devron Harper caught 6 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. Harper also scored a rushing touchdown for the third consecutive game.

How it happened

On the Catamounts’ first play from scrimmage, Carlos Davis threw to the far sideline and was picked off by Moore.

The Bears then marched down the field over the next seven plays, covering 41 yards. Austin Douglas capped the drive with a 1-yard run into the end zone.

Payton completed five passes on Mercer’s ensuing drive, including a 15-yard touchdown strike to Drake Starks. Al Wooten added a two-yard rushing touchdown score to increase the Bears’ advantage to 21-0 in the first quarter.

Mercer matched its opening frame offensive outburst with three more scores in the second 15 minutes.

Payton threw for his second touchdown on the first drive off the second quarter, finding Brandon Marshall wide open in the back of the end zone.

Harper scored his third rushing score of the season with a 16-yard run to put the Bears up 35-0 with 2:24 left in the first half.

Mercer got the ball back one final time in the opening half after Isaac Dowling intercepted his second pass of the game. Payton needed only one pass to score the sixth touchdown of the game, hitting Harper for a 46-yard score.

Western Carolina managed two field goals in the third quarter, as Richard McCollum connected on two 43-yard field goals.

The Bears hit paydirt one final time, as Marshall scored on a 13-yard rush with 13:27 left in the contest.

Mercer will host defending SoCon champion ETSU next Saturday at 4 p.m.