Mercer prepares for the biggest game in program history

The Mercer Bears (9-2, 6-1) are ready to take on the Furman Paladines (3-7, 2-4) for the first Southern Conference Championship since Mercer reinstated the football program in 2013

MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The FCS top ten ranked Mercer Bears, number eight according to StatsPerform, and number nine according to AFCA, coming off their 52-7 loss to the FBS top ten Alabama in Tuscaloosa, now shift their focus to an even bigger game back at home. The Bears will host the Furman Paladins on Saturday, and if Mercer wins, the Bears will win the SOCON title.

Bears Head Coach Mike Jacobs is proud of how is guys competed on Saturday and wants to use that confidence to build on the rest of the season.

“The first indicator for me that I look at is our effort, and then, did we give up at any moment. I thought our guys fought hard. I thought we strained. I thought they worked to finish plays and blocks and, just like any games, there some moments of really good football in there against one of the top teams in the country. So, I think it gave our kids confidence that if you can go lay it on the line against Alabama, you should be able to go lay it on the line against anybody in the SOCON” said Jacobs Monday afternoon.

Now its time to focus, according to Coach Jacobs, who knows just how important it is for his guys to be locked in for the biggest game in program history.

“Furman’s a team that knows how to win. I believe they have the most SOCON championships out of anybody in the league. There’s an urgency about what we are doing. We understand the stakes. We understand how important this moment is for the school and I’m not going to shy away from placing a lot of emphasis on this game and playing well. Now, what we do to win the game, those things don’t change, but we need to have an understanding that this is a big game. It’s not just another week, right?”

Kickoff at Five Star Stadium is scheduled for 3 p.m.