Mercer Rolls to Second Straight SoCon Title Behind Record Breaking Season
Bears clinch automatic playoff berth, celebrate undefeated conference run ahead of Auburn finale
MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – Mercer left no doubt at Five Star Stadium on Saturday, steamrolling Chattanooga 63–17 to secure its second consecutive Southern Conference championship and an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.
Head coach Mike Jacobs and the Bears capped the win with celebratory cigars on the field, a fitting end to a historic regular season that included the program’s first undefeated run through conference play.
Freshman quarterback Braden Atkinson once again headlined the afternoon. Already the owner of Mercer’s single-season and career passing records, Atkinson added another milestone, becoming the national passing leader across both the FCS and FBS. He threw for 326 yards and five touchdowns on homecoming, part of an offensive onslaught that saw seven different Bears find the end zone.
“Listen, this is a tightly knit group,” Jacobs said. “You can see it and feel it. Our kids are running all over the field. I enjoy that. We work really hard. I hate losing. And so when you’re able to do it with the consistency we’ve had, it’s just a lot of fun. I enjoy coming to work.”
Defensive lineman Jordan Swain, who joined the program in 2020, said the championship reflects years of steady growth.
“Every year I’ve been here, we’ve just been building and building,” Swain said. “To see all that come to fruition, and know it’s going to continue after me, that’s a big-time deal. I’m glad I had a hand in laying the foundation.”
Tight end Malik Simmons said his development mirrors the rise of the program under Jacobs.
“It’s been amazing,” Simmons said. “He pushes me in every aspect. When you start with the same coach as long as I have, you pick up each other’s tendencies. Just to see him grow, and for him to see me grow, has been an amazing ride.”
With the title secured, sixth-ranked Mercer now turns its attention to its toughest test yet – a trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium to face Auburn in Saturday’s non-conference finale. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
