Post by BearDownMU on Sept 27, 2014 17:22:46 GMT -5
It was hard to say what we really knew about the Mercer Bears going into today's game in Lexington, VA against the VMI Keydets. 3-1 record and scoring in huge chunks against teams from the NAIA and the PFL, and a close loss to a Furman team that has clearly struggled all year to score points.
But regardless of status and power ranking and perception, the Mercer Bears have now picked up their first ever SoCon win, beating VMI 27-24. I don't care who you are and how good you are supposed to be, winning on the road in conference is never easy. And today, The Bears found a way to get it done.
First set of props goes to the Mercer defense. As it's been all year, they were stout against the run, allowing only 91 yards on 25 carries. To be honest, that 3.6 YPC average even looks high. I felt like we bottled up the run all day. Granted, Freshman VMI QB Al Cobb was 30 of 44 for 322 yards and 2 touchdowns, but they largely abandoned the run in the second half. Also, credit the Bears for picking Cobb off twice, including a pick by Zack Jackson with less than 2 minutes to play to close out the game.
Also, a big hit by Alex Avant forced a crucial fumble by a receiver earlier in the game halting a moving VMI drive.
I also don't believe the score was indicative of the effort by the defense, considering VMI's first two touchdown drives were 11 and 26 yards, one from a muffed punt and the other from an interception deep in our territory. The Bears D has faced some criticism this year, but I thought they stepped up today.
Did what we needed to do on offense an stayed pretty true to form, racking up 269 yards on the ground on 53 carries. Alex Lakes led the way with 98 yards on 20 carries.
Also, this week and last week appear to be a coming out party for Chandler "Big Play" Curtis. (I named him that. It should stick). A return TD last week and then a 23 yard rush for a TD, a 63 yard reception for a TD on a slant and a huge 60 yard return late in the game this week. A true freshman with great speed and burst, it looks like the coaching staff is figuring out how to use him. And it is paying big dividends.
Not amazing, but better this week on the penalties with 8 for 74 yards. Still some cleaning up to do, but improved.
Coach Lamb was aggressive all day going for 4th downs, converting 3 of 4. And some of them deep in our own territory. Think it says a lot about our backs, but more importantly, his faith in our outstanding offensive line.
On the downside, we really need to take care of the football. 3 turnovers will get you beat, but we were fortunate we caused 4.
But, like I mentioned earlier, a win is a win, and road conference wins are hard to come by. First SoCon win in the books. Many more to come.
What say you?
Bear Down! Maul 'em!
But regardless of status and power ranking and perception, the Mercer Bears have now picked up their first ever SoCon win, beating VMI 27-24. I don't care who you are and how good you are supposed to be, winning on the road in conference is never easy. And today, The Bears found a way to get it done.
First set of props goes to the Mercer defense. As it's been all year, they were stout against the run, allowing only 91 yards on 25 carries. To be honest, that 3.6 YPC average even looks high. I felt like we bottled up the run all day. Granted, Freshman VMI QB Al Cobb was 30 of 44 for 322 yards and 2 touchdowns, but they largely abandoned the run in the second half. Also, credit the Bears for picking Cobb off twice, including a pick by Zack Jackson with less than 2 minutes to play to close out the game.
Also, a big hit by Alex Avant forced a crucial fumble by a receiver earlier in the game halting a moving VMI drive.
I also don't believe the score was indicative of the effort by the defense, considering VMI's first two touchdown drives were 11 and 26 yards, one from a muffed punt and the other from an interception deep in our territory. The Bears D has faced some criticism this year, but I thought they stepped up today.
Did what we needed to do on offense an stayed pretty true to form, racking up 269 yards on the ground on 53 carries. Alex Lakes led the way with 98 yards on 20 carries.
Also, this week and last week appear to be a coming out party for Chandler "Big Play" Curtis. (I named him that. It should stick). A return TD last week and then a 23 yard rush for a TD, a 63 yard reception for a TD on a slant and a huge 60 yard return late in the game this week. A true freshman with great speed and burst, it looks like the coaching staff is figuring out how to use him. And it is paying big dividends.
Not amazing, but better this week on the penalties with 8 for 74 yards. Still some cleaning up to do, but improved.
Coach Lamb was aggressive all day going for 4th downs, converting 3 of 4. And some of them deep in our own territory. Think it says a lot about our backs, but more importantly, his faith in our outstanding offensive line.
On the downside, we really need to take care of the football. 3 turnovers will get you beat, but we were fortunate we caused 4.
But, like I mentioned earlier, a win is a win, and road conference wins are hard to come by. First SoCon win in the books. Many more to come.
What say you?
Bear Down! Maul 'em!
