Mercer speaks on share of SOCON Championship

The Mercer Bears (9-1, 6-1) have won a share of the Southern Conference Championship for the second time in 100 years after beating VMI 34-0 Saturday

MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The top-ten ranked Mercer Bears (#7 in StatsPerform; #9 AFCA) have now clinched not only a share of the Southern Conference Championship after their 34-0 shutout victory over SOCON opponent Virginia Military Institute on the road Saturday, but an auto-bid into the FCS playoffs as well with a 9-1 record so far under head coach Mike Jacobs in his first season with the Bears.

Before Mercer hosts Furman for a shot at the outright SOCON title in two weeks, the Bears face a tough test in Tuscaloosa against a red hot Alabama Crimson Tide team.

I asked Coach Jacobs at Monday’s press conference what its like for him personally to be able to come in his first season, and not only accomplish a big goal for the Mercer football program, but “change the culture” around this Bears football team.

“It’s just a testament to their hard work. It’s a testament to their daily grind, and I’m really proud of that” said Coach Jacobs about his players Monday. “Anytime you do something, one, for the first time, and two, for the second time in 100 years, its a pretty big deal. So, I’m just really proud of the kids. I expect to win as a head coach and the reason I expect to do that is because I think we have the daily work habits and characteristics of what it takes to become a champion, even before we are actually a champion. We’ve implemented that since the day we got here January 18th or 19th, whatever it was, and there has been tremendous buy-in from the players. That’s where it starts. You don’t have great players, and they are not bought in, you are not going to win any football games.”

Coach Jacobs went on to say, “I’m not always the easiest guy to play for, but the proof is kind of in the pudding that the process works, and it says a lot about our players. It says a lot about our coaching staff and the consistency we’ve had over the years, not just here at Mercer, but prior to Mercer, and I just think that when you do the little things right, and you do them repeatedly, you give yourself the opportunity to win, and win a bunch, and we’ve been blessed to do that.”

Kickoff at Bryant-Denny Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m.