Newly nationally ranked Mercer prepares for first SoCon test of season
The Mercer Bears (2-0) prepare to head north to face SoCon opponent, 14th ranked Chattanooga (0-2), in their conference opener.
MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The Mercer Bears football team is off to a hot start in the 2024 season. They are 2-0 after two non-conference wins over Presbyterian and Bethune-Cookman. The Bears are now ranked 23rd nationally, according to Stats Perform, and 24th nationally, according to AFCA Coaches.
The Bears are now prearing for their first Southern Conference battle of the season against 14th-ranked Chattanooga.
Before the Bears head to Tennessee, Coach Mike Jacobs spoke about how senior wide receiver Kelin Parsons has molded into this offense so seamlessly.
“I think consistency is one of the biggest things that I would describe what he’s done as a player,” Jacobs said Monday.
“I think he’s reliable, and consistent,” he continued. “He’s shown some play making ability over the years. Then, he knows our offense, but not only does he know our offense, he knows us, he knows what we expect. I think that’s good to have some guys, in today’s day and age, in the locker room. If they are maybe unsure about how I’m coming off, then he can say, Hhey, I’ve seen this happen, it’s been this way, you got to just trust it and believe it.'” They almost become your voice for you down there, as well as the captains. I think he’s been critical in that point. I think he’s done a great job just being humble and ingrating himself to his teammates and being a part of that locker room. We’re going to continue to see him make plays for the Bears.”
Parsons says he’s been doing this for so long that he considers himself a vocal leader for any team he plays for.
“Where I was at, and where I’m at now, when everyone doesn’t know what’s up, they come to me,” he said. “Which I’m fine with, because I’ve been doing it for so long. It’s like I am a coach.”
The senior transfer receiver has been an intricate part of the 983 yards of offense Mercer has amassed in its two games.
On the defensive side of the ball, senior cornerback TJ Moore says he can be a vocal leader on defense, but this week, there isn’t much to say.
“Well, knowing we just came off the road win, we have to go on the road again to achieve our goal,” Moore said Monday. “We got a lot of confidence going into this game. We got the mistakes out early, fixed those mistakes, and I mean it’s Chattanooga, there’s nothing more to say.”
Mercer and Chattanooga face off on Saturday at 6 p.m.
