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Mercer at Georgia Tech

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Georgia Tech beat Mercer 35–⁠10. It was their 12th meeting; after it, Georgia Tech led the series 12–⁠0.

AwayMercer6–⁠5 in 2016
10
HomeGeorgia Tech9–⁠4 in 2016
35

Final at Bobby Dodd Stadium, AtlantaTV: ACCNXAttendance 49,992

At kickoff
91°F, partly cloudy, wind 8 mph from the westWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Fulton Co-Brown Field Airport (KFTY), 12 km from the stadium, seven minutes before kickoff
Officials
Referee Jeff Flanagan; umpire Johnnie Forte; head linesman Art Hardin; line judge Craig Dunn; side judge Jeff Shears; field judge Wayne Rundell; back judge Bryan Platt; center judge Larry HayesGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Mercer703010
Georgia Tech7147735

Standouts

Player stats

Mercer

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
John Russ24/3822510
Josh Jones0/1000
Michael Haynes1/11000
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Alex Lakes103007
John Russ82409
Michael Haynes31508
C.J. Kleckley31005
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Avery Ward365132
Marquise Irvin765021
Sam Walker541012
Alex Lakes224016
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Tripp Patterson9000
Tyler Ward6000
LeMarkus Bailey4000
Brandon Gurley4000

Georgia Tech

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Justin Thomas5/108000
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Qua Searcy791031
Justin Thomas769131
Marcus Marshall1051110
Matthew Jordan1244212
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Ricky Jeune357031
Qua Searcy112012
Mikell Lands-Davis111011
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Brant Mitchell6000
P.J. Davis5000
Corey Griffin4000
Terrell Lewis4000
Patrick Gamble3110
Anree Saint-Amour2110

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

MercerGeorgia Tech
320Total yards444
235Passing yards80
85Rushing yards364
5.9Yards per pass8.0
3.0Yards per rush7.0
19First downs25
10–⁠18Third downs6–⁠8
1–⁠2Fourth downs1–⁠1
0Turnovers2
5–⁠45Penalties1–⁠10
29:42Possession30:18
0Sacks (by defense)2

Efficiency

MercerGeorgia Tech
44%Success rate63%
0.12EPA per play0.33
1.14Explosiveness0.84
0.11Rushing EPA0.34
0.15Passing EPA0.25
43%Passing-down success33%
−0.01First-down EPA0.44
−0.02Second-down EPA−0.26
0.67Third-down EPA1.08
8%Havoc by its defense6%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Georgia Tech 85% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

Every drive

Georgia Tech end zoneMercer end zoneQ1 Georgia TechFumble, 7 playsQ1 MercerTouchdown, 9 playsQ1 Georgia TechTouchdown, 8 playsQ1 MercerPunt, 6 playsQ1 Georgia TechTouchdown, 11 playsQ2 MercerPunt, 3 playsQ2 Georgia TechPunt, 3 playsQ2 MercerPunt, 8 playsQ2 Georgia TechTouchdown, 5 playsQ2 MercerTurnover on downs, 7 playsQ2 Georgia TechEnd of half, 1 playQ3 MercerField goal, 17 playsQ3 Georgia TechTouchdown, 11 playsQ3 MercerMissed FG, 9 playsQ4 Georgia TechFumble, 12 playsQ4 MercerPunt, 3 playsQ4 Georgia TechTouchdown, 4 playsQ4 MercerEnd of game, 8 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Georgia Tech drives left to right, Mercer right to left.
  1. Q1 Georgia TechFumble, 7 plays, 52 yards
  2. Q1 MercerTouchdown, 9 plays, 75 yards
  3. Q1 Georgia TechTouchdown, 8 plays, 65 yards
  4. Q1 MercerPunt, 6 plays, 18 yards
  5. Q1 Georgia TechTouchdown, 11 plays, 80 yards
  6. Q2 MercerPunt, 3 plays, 4 yards
  7. Q2 Georgia TechPunt, 3 plays, −8 yards
  8. Q2 MercerPunt, 8 plays, 28 yards
  9. Q2 Georgia TechTouchdown, 5 plays, 91 yards
  10. Q2 MercerTurnover on downs, 7 plays, 37 yards
  11. Q2 Georgia TechEnd of half, 1 play, 0 yards
  12. Q3 MercerField goal, 17 plays, 61 yards
  13. Q3 Georgia TechTouchdown, 11 plays, 78 yards
  14. Q3 MercerMissed FG, 9 plays, 55 yards
  15. Q4 Georgia TechFumble, 12 plays, 78 yards
  16. Q4 MercerPunt, 3 plays, 0 yards
  17. Q4 Georgia TechTouchdown, 4 plays, 23 yards
  18. Q4 MercerEnd of game, 8 plays, 37 yards

Play by play

1st quarter5 drives, then Tied at 7
Georgia Tech Fumble, 7 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Tyler Zielenske kickoff for 65 yds , J.J. Green return for 23 yds to the GTech 23
14:531st & 10 at own 23Qua Searcy run for 13 yds to the GTech 36 for a 1ST down
14:531st & 10 at own 36Justin Thomas pass complete to Ricky Jeune for 9 yds to the GTech 45
14:532nd & 1 at own 45Marcus Marshall run for 5 yds to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
14:531st & 10 at the 50Clinton Lynch run for 6 yds to the Mercr 44
14:532nd & 4 at opp 44Marcus Marshall run for 6 yds to the Mercr 38 for a 1ST down
14:531st & 10 at opp 38Marcus Marshall run for 5 yds to the Mercr 33
14:532nd & 5 at opp 33Marcus Marshall run for 8 yds to the Mercr 25 Marcus Marshall fumbled, recovered by Mercr Zach Jackson
Mercer Touchdown, 9 plays
11:301st & 10 at own 25John Russ pass complete to Sam Walker for 12 yds to the Mercr 37 for a 1ST down
11:301st & 10 at own 37Alex Lakes run for 3 yds to the Mercr 40
11:302nd & 7 at own 40John Russ pass complete to Marquise Irvin for 5 yds to the Mercr 45
11:303rd & 2 at own 45John Russ pass complete to Sam Walker for 12 yds to the GTech 43 for a 1ST down
11:301st & 10 at opp 43Alex Lakes run for 2 yds to the GTech 41
11:302nd & 8 at opp 41John Russ pass complete to Stephen Houzah for no gain to the GTech 41
11:303rd & 8 at opp 41John Russ pass complete to Avery Ward for 9 yds to the GTech 32 for a 1ST down
11:301st & 10 at opp 32John Russ pass incomplete to Sam Walker
7:302nd & 10 at opp 32Avery Ward 32 Yd pass from John Russ (Cole Fisher Kick)Mercer 7, Georgia Tech 0
Georgia Tech Touchdown, 8 plays
7:301st & 0 at own 35Tyler Zielenske kickoff for 64 yds
7:301st & 10 at own 35Justin Thomas pass complete to Qua Searcy for 12 yds to the GTech 47 for a 1ST down
7:301st & 10 at own 47Justin Thomas run for 8 yds to the Mercr 45
7:302nd & 2 at opp 45Marcus Marshall run for 4 yds to the Mercr 41 for a 1ST down
7:301st & 10 at opp 41Justin Thomas run for 4 yds to the Mercr 37
7:302nd & 6 at opp 37Marcus Marshall run for 2 yds to the Mercr 35
7:303rd & 4 at opp 35MERCER Penalty, personal foul (Kyle Williams) to the Mercr 20 for a 1ST down
7:301st & 10 at opp 20Justin Thomas rush for 4 yards to the MER16, PENALTY GT illegal block (J.J. Green) 10 yards to the MER30, NO PLAY.
7:301st & 20 at opp 30Justin Thomas pass complete to Mikell Lands-Davis for 11 yds to the Mercr 19
7:302nd & 9 at opp 19Justin Thomas run for 6 yds to the Mercr 13
3:023rd & 3 at opp 13Justin Thomas 13 Yd Run (Harrison Butker Kick)Tied at 7
Mercer Punt, 6 plays
3:021st & 0 at own 35Harrison Butker kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
3:021st & 10 at own 25John Russ pass complete to Stephen Houzah for 4 yds to the Mercr 29
3:022nd & 6 at own 29John Russ run for 3 yds to the Mercr 32
3:023rd & 3 at own 32John Russ pass complete to Marquise Irvin for 6 yds to the Mercr 38 for a 1ST down
3:021st & 10 at own 38John Russ pass incomplete to Stephen Houzah
3:022nd & 10 at own 38John Russ pass incomplete to Avery Ward
3:023rd & 10 at own 38John Russ run for 5 yds to the Mercr 43
3:024th & 5 at own 43Tyler Zielenske punt for 57 yds for a touchback
Georgia Tech Touchdown, 11 plays
0:301st & 10 at own 20Justin Thomas pass incomplete to Brad Stewart
0:302nd & 10 at own 20Justin Thomas run for 31 yds to the Mercr 49 for a 1ST down
Q2 15:001st & 10 at opp 49Lynn Grffin run for 11 yds to the Mercr 38 for a 1ST down
Q2 15:001st & 10 at opp 38Marcus Allen run for 4 yds to the Mercr 34
Q2 15:002nd & 6 at opp 34Justin Thomas run for 5 yds to the Mercr 29
Q2 15:003rd & 1 at opp 29Marcus Allen run for 4 yds to the Mercr 25 for a 1ST down
Q2 15:001st & 10 at opp 25Justin Thomas run for 2 yds to the Mercr 23
Q2 15:002nd & 8 at opp 23Justin Thomas pass incomplete
Q2 15:003rd & 8 at opp 23Justin Thomas pass complete to Ricky Jeune for 17 yds to the Mercr 6 for a 1ST down
Q2 15:001st & goal at opp 6Matthew Jordan run for 5 yds to the Mercr 1
Q2 10:392nd & goal at opp 1Matthew Jordan 1 Yd Run (Harrison Butker Kick)Georgia Tech 14, Mercer 7
2nd quarter6 drives, then Georgia Tech 21, Mercer 7
Mercer Punt, 3 plays
10:391st & 0 at own 35Harrison Butker kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
10:391st & 10 at own 25John Russ pass complete to Sam Walker for 5 yds to the Mercr 30
10:392nd & 5 at own 30Payton Usher run for a loss of 1 yard to the Mercr 29
10:393rd & 6 at own 29John Russ pass incomplete to Avery Ward
10:394th & 6 at own 29Tyler Zielenske punt for 50 yds , Brad Stewart returns for 15 yds to the GTech 36
Georgia Tech Punt, 3 plays
9:011st & 10 at own 36Justin Thomas pass incomplete to Ricky Jeune
9:012nd & 10 at own 36Qua Searcy run for a loss of 9 yards to the GTech 28 Qua Searcy fumbled, recovered by GTech Qua Searcy , return for 1 yd to the GTech 28
9:013rd & 18 at own 28Justin Thomas pass incomplete to Clinton Lynch
9:014th & 18 at own 28Grant Aasen punt for 42 yds, downed at the Mercr 30
Mercer Punt, 8 plays
7:461st & 10 at own 30John Russ sacked by Anree Saint-Amour for a loss of 2 yards to the Mercr 28
7:462nd & 12 at own 28Alex Lakes run for 5 yds to the Mercr 33
7:463rd & 7 at own 33John Russ pass complete to Marquise Irvin for 9 yds to the Mercr 42 for a 1ST down
7:461st & 10 at own 42John Russ pass complete to Jordan Marshall for 1 yd to the Mercr 43
7:462nd & 9 at own 43John Russ run for 9 yds to the GTech 48 for a 1ST down
7:461st & 10 at opp 48Alex Lakes run for 5 yds to the GTech 43
7:462nd & 5 at opp 43Payton Usher run for 3 yds to the GTech 40
7:463rd & 2 at opp 40Alex Lakes run for a loss of 2 yards to the GTech 42
3:024th & 4 at opp 42Timeout GEORGIA TECH, clock 03:02
3:024th & 4 at opp 42Tyler Zielenske punt for 33 yds, fair catch by Brad Stewart at the GTech 9
Georgia Tech Touchdown, 5 plays
2:551st & 10 at own 9Qua Searcy run for 31 yds to the GTech 40 for a 1ST down
2:551st & 10 at own 40Clinton Lynch run for 16 yds to the Mercr 44 for a 1ST down
2:551st & 10 at opp 44Qua Searcy run for 3 yds to the Mercr 41
2:552nd & 7 at opp 41Justin Thomas pass complete to Ricky Jeune for 31 yds to the Mercr 10 for a 1ST down
1:171st & goal at opp 10Marcus Marshall 10 Yd Run (Harrison Butker Kick)Georgia Tech 21, Mercer 7
Mercer Turnover on downs, 7 plays
1:171st & 0 at own 35Harrison Butker kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
1:171st & 10 at own 25Timeout GEORGIA TECH, clock 01:17
1:171st & 10 at own 25John Russ pass complete to Marquise Irvin for 13 yds to the Mercr 38 for a 1ST down
1:171st & 10 at own 38John Russ pass complete to Alex Lakes for 8 yds to the Mercr 46
0:492nd & 2 at own 46Timeout MERCER, clock 00:49
0:492nd & 2 at own 46Alex Lakes run for 7 yds to the GTech 47 for a 1ST down
0:491st & 10 at opp 47Alex Lakes run for 5 yds to the GTech 42
0:272nd & 5 at opp 42Timeout MERCER, clock 00:27
0:272nd & 5 at opp 42John Russ pass incomplete to Avery Ward
0:273rd & 5 at opp 42John Russ pass complete to Payton Usher for 4 yds to the GTech 38
0:124th & 1 at opp 38Timeout MERCER, clock 00:12
0:124th & 1 at opp 38John Russ pass incomplete to Jordan Marshall
Georgia Tech End of half, 1 play
0:071st & 10 at own 38Justin Thomas pass incomplete, broken up by Eric Jackson
3rd quarter3 drives, then Georgia Tech 28, Mercer 10
Mercer Field goal, 17 plays
15:002nd & 10 at own 35Harrison Butker kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25Alex Lakes run for 2 yds to the Mercr 27
15:002nd & 8 at own 27John Russ pass incomplete to Marquise Irvin
15:003rd & 8 at own 27John Russ pass complete to Alex Lakes for 16 yds to the Mercr 43 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at own 43John Russ pass complete to Kelby Brock for 4 yds to the Mercr 47
15:002nd & 6 at own 47John Russ run for 3 yds to the 50 yard line
15:003rd & 3 at the 50John Russ pass complete to Marquise Irvin for 2 yds to the GTech 48
12:144th & 1 at opp 48Timeout MERCER, clock 12:14
12:144th & 1 at opp 48Stephen Houzah run for 2 yds to the GTech 46 for a 1ST down
12:141st & 10 at opp 46John Russ pass incomplete to Sam Walker
12:142nd & 10 at opp 46John Russ pass complete to Marquise Irvin for 9 yds to the GTech 37
12:143rd & 1 at opp 37Alex Lakes run for 3 yds to the GTech 34 for a 1ST down
12:141st & 10 at opp 34John Russ pass complete to Payton Usher for 9 yds to the GTech 25
12:142nd & 1 at opp 25John Russ sacked by Patrick Gamble for a loss of 4 yards to the GTech 29 MERCER Penalty, illegal formation ( Yards) declined
9:143rd & 5 at opp 29Timeout MERCER, clock 09:14
9:143rd & 5 at opp 29John Russ run for 9 yds to the GTech 20 for a 1ST down
9:141st & 10 at opp 20Josh Jones pass incomplete to Avery Ward
9:142nd & 10 at opp 20John Russ pass complete to Payton Usher for 8 yds to the GTech 12
9:143rd & 2 at opp 12MERCER Penalty, false start (Bret Niederreither) to the GTech 17
7:243rd & 7 at opp 17Timeout MERCER, clock 07:24
7:243rd & 7 at opp 17John Russ pass complete to Sam Walker for 3 yds to the GTech 14
6:404th & 4 at opp 14Cole Fisher 31 Yd Field GoalGeorgia Tech 21, Mercer 10
Georgia Tech Touchdown, 11 plays
6:401st & 0 at own 35Tyler Zielenske kickoff for 60 yds , J.J. Green return for 17 yds to the GTech 22
6:351st & 10 at own 22Matthew Jordan run for 5 yds to the GTech 27
6:352nd & 5 at own 27Matthew Jordan run for 3 yds to the GTech 30
6:353rd & 2 at own 30Matthew Jordan run for 1 yd to the GTech 31
6:354th & 1 at own 31Chase Alford run for 21 yds to the Mercr 48 for a 1ST down
6:351st & 10 at opp 48Qua Searcy run for 11 yds to the Mercr 37 for a 1ST down
6:351st & 10 at opp 37Marcus Marshall run for 4 yds to the Mercr 33
6:352nd & 6 at opp 33Marcus Marshall run for 3 yds to the Mercr 30
6:353rd & 3 at opp 30MERCER Penalty, offside defense (Austin Barrett) to the Mercr 25 for a 1ST down
6:351st & 10 at opp 25Qua Searcy run for 17 yds to the Mercr 8 for a 1ST down
6:351st & goal at opp 8Clinton Lynch run for 6 yds to the Mercr 2
6:352nd & goal at opp 2Matthew Jordan run for 1 yd to the Mercr 1
0:253rd & goal at opp 1Matthew Jordan 1 Yd Run (Harrison Butker Kick)Georgia Tech 28, Mercer 10
Mercer Missed FG, 9 plays
0:251st & 0 at own 35Harrison Butker kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
0:251st & 10 at own 25John Russ pass complete to Marquise Irvin for 21 yds to the Mercr 46 for a 1ST down
Q4 15:001st & 10 at own 46John Russ pass complete to Sam Walker for 9 yds to the GTech 45
Q4 15:002nd & 1 at opp 45John Russ pass incomplete to Marquise Irvin
Q4 15:003rd & 1 at opp 45John Russ run for 1 yd to the GTech 44 for a 1ST down
Q4 15:001st & 10 at opp 44John Russ pass complete to Avery Ward for 24 yds to the GTech 20 for a 1ST down
Q4 15:001st & 10 at opp 20John Russ pass incomplete to Kelby Brock
Q4 15:002nd & 10 at opp 20John Russ pass incomplete to Kelby Brock
Q4 15:003rd & 10 at opp 20John Russ pass incomplete to Marquise Irvin
Q4 13:174th & 10 at opp 20Cole Fisher 37 yd FG BLOCKED blocked by Kyle Cerge-Henderson
4th quarter4 drives, then Georgia Tech 35, Mercer 10
Georgia Tech Fumble, 12 plays
13:171st & 10 at own 20Lynn Grffin run for 8 yds to the GTech 28
13:172nd & 2 at own 28Marcus Marshall run for 4 yds to the GTech 32 for a 1ST down
13:171st & 10 at own 32Matthew Jordan run for 12 yds to the GTech 44 for a 1ST down
13:171st & 10 at own 44Matthew Jordan run for 5 yds to the GTech 49
13:172nd & 5 at own 49Matthew Jordan run for 5 yds to the Mercr 46 for a 1ST down
13:171st & 10 at opp 46Clinton Lynch run for 4 yds to the Mercr 42
9:482nd & 6 at opp 42Timeout GEORGIA TECH, clock 09:48
9:482nd & 6 at opp 42MERCER Penalty, offside defense (Dorian Kithcart) to the Mercr 37
9:482nd & 1 at opp 37Matthew Jordan run for 4 yds to the Mercr 33 for a 1ST down
9:481st & 10 at opp 33Matthew Jordan run for 1 yd to the Mercr 32
9:482nd & 9 at opp 32Lynn Grffin run for 1 yd to the Mercr 31
9:483rd & 8 at opp 31Qua Searcy run for 24 yds to the Mercr 7 for a 1ST down
9:481st & goal at opp 7Clinton Lynch run for 5 yds to the Mercr 2
9:482nd & goal at opp 2Quaide Weimerskirch run for no gain to the Mercr 2 Quaide Weimerskirch fumbled, forced by Brandon Gurley, recovered by Mercr Brandon Gurley
Mercer Punt, 3 plays
7:001st & 10 at own 3Alex Lakes run for no gain to the Mercr 3
7:002nd & 10 at own 3John Russ pass incomplete to Marquise Irvin
7:003rd & 10 at own 3John Russ pass incomplete to Kelby Brock
7:004th & 10 at own 3Tyler Zielenske punt for 43 yds , Brad Stewart returns for 8 yds to the Mercr 11 MERCER Penalty, face mask (15 yards) (Jordan Marshall) to the Mercr 23
Georgia Tech Touchdown, 4 plays
5:541st & 10 at opp 23TaQuon Marshall run for 1 yd to the Mercr 22
5:542nd & 9 at opp 22Nate Cottrell run for 6 yds to the Mercr 16
5:543rd & 3 at opp 16Austin McClellan run for 5 yds to the Mercr 11 for a 1ST down
3:571st & 10 at opp 11TaQuon Marshall 11 Yd Run (Harrison Butker Kick)Georgia Tech 35, Mercer 10
Mercer End of game, 8 plays
3:571st & 0 at own 35Shawn Davis kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
3:571st & 10 at own 25Michael Haynes run for 3 yds to the Mercr 28
3:572nd & 7 at own 28CJ Kleckley run for 3 yds to the Mercr 31
3:573rd & 4 at own 31Michael Haynes run for 8 yds to the Mercr 39 for a 1ST down
3:571st & 10 at own 39Charlie Davidson run for 2 yds to the Mercr 41
3:572nd & 8 at own 41Michael Haynes pass complete to Kelby Brock for 10 yds to the GTech 49 for a 1ST down
3:571st & 10 at opp 49CJ Kleckley run for 5 yds to the GTech 44
3:572nd & 5 at opp 44CJ Kleckley run for 2 yds to the GTech 42
3:573rd & 3 at opp 42Michael Haynes run for 4 yds to the GTech 38 for a 1ST down

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Mercer–Georgia Tech game

Georgia Tech leads 13–⁠0 in 13 meetings, counting the one since this game.

Recent meetings
2026Georgia Tech 44, Mercer 11
2016Georgia Tech 35, Mercer 10
1938Georgia Tech 19, Mercer 0
1937Georgia Tech 28, Mercer 0
1916Georgia Tech 61, Mercer 0
1915Georgia Tech 52, Mercer 0

Around this game

Mercer

Georgia Tech

Ranked games that day

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