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Western Carolina at Mercer

Saturday, October 8, 2022

Mercer beat Western Carolina 49–⁠6. It was their ninth meeting; after it, Mercer led the series 7–⁠2.

AwayWestern Carolina6–⁠5 in 2022
6
HomeMercer7–⁠4 in 2022
49

Final at Five Star Stadium at the Moye Complex, MaconTV: ESPN+Attendance 10,927

At kickoff
85°F, clear, wind 11 mph from the northWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Middle Georgia Regional Airport (KMCN), 15 km from the stadium, seven minutes before kickoff
Officials
Referee Bruce Austin; umpire JOnathan Gibson; head linesman Brian Davis; line judge Erick Pruitt; side judge Quinn Poole; field judge Keith Dollar; back judge Jay EarnhardtGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Western Carolina00606
Mercer21210749

Standouts

Player stats

Western Carolina

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Carlos Davis9/185703
Cole Gonzales8/1211801
RushingCarYdsTDLong
T.J. Jones755022
Cole Gonzales822013
Desmond Reid2806
Jalynn Williams3402
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Clayton Bardall489047
Jalynn Williams425019
David White Jr.225019
Raphael Williams322017

Mercer

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Fred Payton16/2224730
Daniel Shock1/21600
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Justin Coleman1056015
Brandon Marshall453133
Fred Payton448019
Al Wooten II113515
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Devron Harper694146
Ty James250033
Drake Starks229115
Parker Wroble125025
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Shi’heem Watkins0001
Austin Douglas0001
Isaac Dowling0002

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

Team stats

Western CarolinaMercer
249Total yards520
175Passing yards263
74Rushing yards257
5.8Yards per pass11.0
2.4Yards per rush5.8
11First downs27
3–⁠14Third downs8–⁠11
0–⁠2Fourth downs1–⁠2
5Turnovers1
3–⁠26Penalties4–⁠64
31:50Possession28:10

Efficiency

Western CarolinaMercer
34%Success rate56%
−0.51EPA per play0.42
1.03Explosiveness1.22
−0.40Rushing EPA0.27
−0.61Passing EPA0.73
5%Passing-down success36%

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 and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Mercer 73% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Mercer −11.5, over/under 64.5.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Before kickoff, the win chances were Mercer 79%, Western Carolina 21%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

Mercer end zoneWestern Carolina end zoneQ1 MercerPunt, 3 playsQ1 Western CarolinaInterception, 1 playQ1 MercerTouchdown, 7 playsQ1 Western CarolinaPunt, 7 playsQ1 MercerTouchdown, 8 playsQ1 Western CarolinaPunt, 3 playsQ1 MercerTouchdown, 7 playsQ1 Western CarolinaPunt, 3 playsQ2 MercerTouchdown, 5 playsQ2 Western CarolinaInterception, 6 playsQ2 MercerPunt, 5 playsQ2 Western CarolinaPunt, 3 playsQ2 MercerTouchdown, 7 playsQ2 Western CarolinaInterception, 4 playsQ2 MercerTouchdown, 1 playQ2 MercerEnd of half, 7 playsQ3 Western CarolinaField goal, 6 playsQ3 MercerPunt, 3 playsQ3 Western CarolinaField goal, 9 playsQ3 MercerTouchdown, 9 playsQ4 Western CarolinaFumble, 2 playsQ4 MercerFumble, 1 playQ4 Western CarolinaInterception, 6 playsQ4 Western CarolinaTurnover on downs, 14 playsQ4 Western CarolinaTurnover on downs, 4 playsQ4 MercerResult not recorded
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Mercer drives left to right, Western Carolina right to left.
  1. Q1 MercerPunt, 3 plays, 3 yards
  2. Q1 Western CarolinaInterception, 1 play, 0 yards
  3. Q1 MercerTouchdown, 7 plays, 41 yards
  4. Q1 Western CarolinaPunt, 7 plays, 19 yards
  5. Q1 MercerTouchdown, 8 plays, 92 yards
  6. Q1 Western CarolinaPunt, 3 plays, 5 yards
  7. Q1 MercerTouchdown, 7 plays, 61 yards
  8. Q1 Western CarolinaPunt, 3 plays, 1 yard
  9. Q2 MercerTouchdown, 5 plays, 63 yards
  10. Q2 Western CarolinaInterception, 6 plays, 11 yards
  11. Q2 MercerPunt, 5 plays, 1 yard
  12. Q2 Western CarolinaPunt, 3 plays, 6 yards
  13. Q2 MercerTouchdown, 7 plays, 44 yards
  14. Q2 Western CarolinaInterception, 4 plays, 18 yards
  15. Q2 MercerTouchdown, 1 play, 46 yards
  16. Q2 MercerEnd of half, 7 plays, 0 yards
  17. Q3 Western CarolinaField goal, 6 plays, 26 yards
  18. Q3 MercerPunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
  19. Q3 Western CarolinaField goal, 9 plays, 50 yards
  20. Q3 MercerTouchdown, 9 plays, 47 yards
  21. Q4 Western CarolinaFumble, 2 plays, −3 yards
  22. Q4 MercerFumble, 1 play, 2 yards
  23. Q4 Western CarolinaInterception, 6 plays, 72 yards
  24. Q4 Western CarolinaTurnover on downs, 14 plays, 9 yards
  25. Q4 Western CarolinaTurnover on downs, 4 plays, 8 yards
  26. Q4 MercerResult not recorded, 0 yards

Play by play

1st quarter8 drives, then Mercer 21, Western Carolina 0
Mercer Punt, 3 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Paxton Robertson kickoff for 53 yds for a touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25Al Wooten II run for no gain to the Mercr 25
15:002nd & 10 at own 25Austin Douglas run for 3 yds to the Mercr 28
15:003rd & 7 at own 28Fred Payton pass incomplete
15:004th & 7 at own 28Trey Turk punt for 55 yds , AJ Colombo returns for 6 yds to the WCaro 23
Western Carolina Interception, 1 play
13:371st & 10 at own 23Carlos Davis pass intercepted Austin Douglas return for no gain to the WCaro 41
Mercer Touchdown, 7 plays
13:311st & 10 at opp 41Parker Wroble run for 7 yds to the WCaro 34
13:312nd & 3 at opp 34Fred Payton pass incomplete
13:313rd & 3 at opp 34Fred Payton run for 14 yds to the WCaro 20 for a 1ST down
13:311st & 10 at opp 20Al Wooten II run for 4 yds to the WCaro 16
13:312nd & 6 at opp 16Al Wooten II run for 4 yds to the WCaro 12
13:313rd & 2 at opp 12Fred Payton run for 11 yds to the WCaro 1 for a 1ST down
11:041st & goal at opp 1Austin Douglas run for 1 yd for a TD, (Devin Folser KICK)Mercer 7, Western Carolina 0
Western Carolina Punt, 7 plays
11:041st & 0 at own 35Devin Folser kickoff for 53 yds , Jalynn Williams return for 15 yds to the WCaro 27
10:551st & 10 at own 27Carlos Davis pass complete to David White Jr. for 6 yds to the WCaro 33
10:552nd & 4 at own 33Carlos Davis pass complete to TJ Jones for 7 yds to the WCaro 40 for a 1ST down
10:551st & 10 at own 40TJ Jones run for 6 yds to the WCaro 46
10:552nd & 4 at own 46Carlos Davis pass complete to David White Jr. for 19 yds to the Mercr 35 for a 1ST down
10:551st & 10 at opp 35Carlos Davis sacked by Chris Hill and Carson Griffin for a loss of 19 yards to the WCaro 46
10:552nd & 29 at own 46Carlos Davis pass incomplete to Desmond Reid
10:553rd & 29 at own 46Carlos Davis pass incomplete to Raphael Williams
10:554th & 29 at own 46Brandon Dickerson punt for 46 yds, fair catch by Lance Wise at the Mercr 8
Mercer Touchdown, 8 plays
8:071st & 10 at own 8Fred Payton pass complete to Ty James for 17 yds to the Mercr 25 for a 1ST down
8:071st & 10 at own 25Fred Payton pass complete to Devron Harper for 19 yds to the Mercr 44 for a 1ST down
8:071st & 10 at own 44Brandon Marshall run for 3 yds to the Mercr 47
8:072nd & 7 at own 47Fred Payton pass complete to Ty James for 33 yds to the WCaro 20 for a 1ST down
8:071st & 10 at opp 20Fred Payton pass complete to Tayshaun Shipp for 5 yds to the WCaro 15
8:072nd & 5 at opp 15Parker Wroble run for 4 yds to the WCaro 11
8:073rd & 1 at opp 11Austin Douglas run for 3 yds to the WCaro 8 for a 1ST down
8:071st & 0 at opp 8MERCER Penalty, Offensive holding (-7 Yards) to the WCaro 15
4:391st & goal at opp 15Fred Payton pass complete to Drake Starks for 15 yds for a TD, (Devin Folser KICK)Mercer 14, Western Carolina 0
Western Carolina Punt, 3 plays
4:391st & 0 at own 35Devin Folser kickoff for 40 yds, downed at the WCaro 25
4:381st & 10 at own 25Desmond Reid run for 2 yds to the WCaro 27
4:382nd & 8 at own 27Carlos Davis run for 3 yds to the WCaro 30
4:383rd & 5 at own 30Carlos Davis pass incomplete to Desmond Reid
3:324th & 5 at own 30Timeout WESTRN CAROLINA, clock 03:32
3:324th & 5 at own 30Brandon Dickerson punt for 35 yds , Lance Wise returns for 4 yds to the Mercr 39
Mercer Touchdown, 7 plays
3:201st & 10 at own 39Al Wooten II run for 3 yds to the Mercr 42
3:202nd & 7 at own 42Fred Payton run for 19 yds to the WCaro 39 for a 1ST down
3:201st & 10 at opp 39Fred Payton pass complete to Devron Harper for 6 yds to the WCaro 33
3:202nd & 4 at opp 33Devron Harper run for 6 yds to the WCaro 27 for a 1ST down
3:201st & 10 at opp 27WESTRN CAROLINA Penalty, personal foul (Hayward McQueen III) to the WCaro 13 for a 1ST down
3:201st & 10 at opp 13Austin Douglas run for 9 yds to the WCaro 4
3:202nd & 1 at opp 4Austin Douglas run for 2 yds to the WCaro 2 for a 1ST down
0:441st & goal at opp 2Al Wooten II run for 2 yds for a TD, (Devin Folser KICK)Mercer 21, Western Carolina 0
Western Carolina Punt, 3 plays
0:441st & 0 at own 35Devin Folser kickoff for 46 yds , Terrence Horne return for 8 yds to the WCaro 27
0:391st & 10 at own 27TJ Jones run for 1 yd to the WCaro 28
0:392nd & 9 at own 28Carlos Davis pass complete to Clayton Bardall for 3 yds to the WCaro 31
Q2 15:003rd & 6 at own 31Carlos Davis pass complete to Raphael Williams for a loss of 3 yards to the WCaro 28
Q2 15:004th & 9 at own 28Brandon Dickerson punt for 35 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the Mercr 37
2nd quarter8 drives, then Mercer 42, Western Carolina 0
Mercer Touchdown, 5 plays
14:111st & 10 at own 37Brandon Marshall run for 33 yds to the WCaro 30 for a 1ST down
14:111st & 10 at opp 30Fred Payton pass complete to Devron Harper for 8 yds to the WCaro 22
14:112nd & 2 at opp 22Fred Payton pass complete to Devron Harper for 10 yds to the WCaro 12 for a 1ST down
14:111st & 10 at opp 12Austin Douglas run for 3 yds to the WCaro 9
11:492nd & 7 at opp 9Fred Payton pass complete to Brandon Marshall for 9 yds for a TD, (Devin Folser KICK)Mercer 28, Western Carolina 0
Western Carolina Interception, 6 plays
11:491st & 0 at own 35Devin Folser kickoff for 32 yds , Blue Monroe return for 1 yd to the WCaro 34
11:421st & 10 at own 34Jalynn Williams run for 2 yds to the WCaro 36
11:422nd & 8 at own 36Carlos Davis pass complete to Jalynn Williams for 4 yds to the WCaro 40
11:423rd & 4 at own 40Carlos Davis pass complete to Jalynn Williams for 4 yds to the WCaro 44 for a 1ST down
11:421st & 10 at own 44Jalynn Williams run for 1 yd to the WCaro 45
11:422nd & 9 at own 45Carlos Davis pass incomplete
11:423rd & 9 at own 45Carlos Davis pass intercepted Isaac Dowling return for no gain to the WCaro 42
Mercer Punt, 5 plays
9:411st & 10 at opp 42Fred Payton pass complete to Devron Harper for 5 yds to the WCaro 37
9:412nd & 5 at opp 37Fred Payton pass incomplete to Lance Wise, broken up by Justin Wallace
9:413rd & 5 at opp 37Austin Douglas run for 6 yds to the WCaro 31 for a 1ST down
9:411st & 10 at opp 31Fred Payton pass complete to Parker Wroble for 25 yds to the WCaro 6 for a 1ST down
9:411st & 0 at opp 6MERCER Penalty, illegal motion (-30 Yards) to the WCaro 36
9:411st & 0 at opp 36MERCER Penalty, false start (-5 Yards) to the WCaro 41
9:411st & 0 at opp 41Fred Payton pass incomplete to Drake Starks
9:412nd & 0 at opp 41Trey Turk punt for 37 yds, fair catch by AJ Colombo at the WCaro 4
Western Carolina Punt, 3 plays
7:101st & 10 at own 4Desmond Reid run for 6 yds to the WCaro 10
7:102nd & 4 at own 10Carlos Davis pass incomplete to Raphael Williams
7:103rd & 4 at own 10Carlos Davis run for no gain to the WCaro 10
7:104th & 4 at own 10Brandon Dickerson punt for 42 yds , Devron Harper returns for 8 yds to the WCaro 44
Mercer Touchdown, 7 plays
5:421st & 10 at opp 44Fred Payton run for 4 yds to the WCaro 40
5:422nd & 6 at opp 40Fred Payton pass complete to Fred Jackson for 12 yds to the WCaro 28 for a 1ST down
5:421st & 10 at opp 28Al Wooten II run for 4 yds to the WCaro 24
5:422nd & 6 at opp 24Brandon Marshall run for 4 yds to the WCaro 20
5:423rd & 2 at opp 20Al Wooten II run for 4 yds to the WCaro 16 for a 1ST down
5:421st & 10 at opp 16Fred Payton pass incomplete to Drake Starks
2:242nd & 10 at opp 16Devron Harper run for 16 yds for a TD, (Devin Folser KICK)Mercer 35, Western Carolina 0
Western Carolina Interception, 4 plays
2:241st & 0 at own 35Devin Folser kickoff for 44 yds , Jalynn Williams return for 4 yds to the WCaro 25
2:181st & 10 at own 25TJ Jones run for 8 yds to the WCaro 33
2:182nd & 2 at own 33TJ Jones run for 2 yds to the WCaro 35 for a 1ST down
2:181st & 10 at own 35TJ Jones run for 8 yds to the WCaro 43
2:182nd & 2 at own 43Carlos Davis pass intercepted Isaac Dowling return for no gain to the WCaro 46
Mercer Touchdown, 1 play
1:101st & 10 at opp 46Fred Payton pass complete to Devron Harper for 46 yds for a TD, (Devin Folser KICK)Mercer 42, Western Carolina 0
Western Carolina 8 plays
1:101st & 0 at own 35Devin Folser kickoff for 38 yds , Darian Anderson Jr. return for no gain to the WCaro 27
1:051st & 10 at own 27Carlos Davis run for 6 yds to the WCaro 33
1:052nd & 4 at own 33Carlos Davis run for 2 yds to the WCaro 35
1:053rd & 2 at own 35Carlos Davis pass complete to Jalynn Williams for 19 yds to the Mercr 46 for a 1ST down
1:051st & 10 at opp 46Carlos Davis pass incomplete to Desmond Reid
1:052nd & 10 at opp 46Carlos Davis pass complete to Jalynn Williams for a loss of 2 yards to the Mercr 48
1:053rd & 12 at opp 48Carlos Davis run for a loss of 10 yards to the WCaro 42 Carlos Davis fumbled, recovered by WCaro Desmond Reid
Q3 15:004th & 22 at opp 40Devron Harper run for no gain to the WCaro 40
3rd quarter4 drives, then Mercer 42, Western Carolina 6
Western Carolina Field goal, 6 plays
14:501st & 10 at own 40TJ Jones run for 8 yds to the WCaro 48
14:502nd & 2 at own 48Cole Gonzales pass complete to Clayton Bardall for 32 yds to the Mercr 20 for a 1ST down
14:501st & 10 at opp 20Cole Gonzales run for a loss of 3 yards to the Mercr 23
14:502nd & 13 at opp 23WESTRN CAROLINA Penalty, Offensive holding (Tyler Smith) to the Mercr 30
14:502nd & 20 at opp 30Cole Gonzales run for no gain to the Mercr 30
14:503rd & 20 at opp 30Camury Reid run for a loss of 4 yards to the Mercr 34
10:194th & 24 at opp 34Richard McCollum 43 yd FG GOODMercer 42, Western Carolina 3
Mercer Punt, 3 plays
10:191st & 0 at own 35Paxton Robertson kickoff for 55 yds , Fred Jackson return for 18 yds to the Mercr 28
10:141st & 10 at own 28Austin Douglas run for 3 yds to the Mercr 31
10:142nd & 7 at own 31Austin Douglas run for a loss of 1 yard to the Mercr 30
10:143rd & 8 at own 30Fred Payton pass incomplete to Austin Douglas
10:144th & 8 at own 30Trey Turk punt for 46 yds , AJ Colombo returns for no gain to the WCaro 24
Western Carolina Field goal, 9 plays
7:451st & 10 at own 24Jalynn Williams run for 1 yd to the WCaro 25
7:452nd & 9 at own 25Cole Gonzales pass complete to Raphael Williams for 8 yds to the WCaro 33
7:453rd & 1 at own 33Cole Gonzales pass complete to Clayton Bardall for 7 yds to the WCaro 40 for a 1ST down
7:451st & 10 at own 40Cole Gonzales pass complete to Raphael Williams for 17 yds to the Mercr 43 for a 1ST down
7:451st & 10 at opp 43WESTRN CAROLINA Penalty, false start (Christian Coulter) to the Mercr 48
7:451st & 15 at opp 48TJ Jones run for 22 yds to the Mercr 26 for a 1ST down
7:451st & 10 at opp 26Cole Gonzales run for 2 yds to the Mercr 24
7:452nd & 8 at opp 24Cole Gonzales pass complete to TJ Jones for a loss of 2 yards to the Mercr 26
7:453rd & 10 at opp 26Cole Gonzales pass incomplete to Clayton Bardall
3:584th & 10 at opp 26Richard McCollum 43 yd FG GOODMercer 42, Western Carolina 6
Mercer Touchdown, 9 plays
3:581st & 0 at own 35Paxton Robertson kickoff for 63 yds , Devron Harper return for 31 yds to the Mercr 33
3:511st & 10 at own 33Fred Payton pass complete to Brandon Marshall for 3 yds to the Mercr 36
3:512nd & 7 at own 36Fred Payton pass complete to Drake Starks for 14 yds to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
3:511st & 10 at the 50Al Wooten II run for 5 yds to the WCaro 45
3:512nd & 5 at opp 45Al Wooten II run for 3 yds to the WCaro 42
3:513rd & 2 at opp 42Al Wooten II run for 2 yds to the WCaro 40 for a 1ST down
3:511st & 10 at opp 40Fred Payton pass complete to Austin Douglas for 20 yds to the WCaro 20 for a 1ST down
Q4 15:001st & 10 at opp 20Al Wooten II run for 4 yds to the WCaro 16
Q4 15:002nd & 6 at opp 16Lance Wise run for 3 yds to the WCaro 13
Q4 13:273rd & 3 at opp 13Brandon Marshall run for 13 yds for a TD, (Devin Folser KICK)Mercer 49, Western Carolina 6
4th quarter4 drives, then Mercer 49, Western Carolina 6
Western Carolina Fumble, 2 plays
13:271st & 0 at own 35Devin Folser kickoff for 45 yds , Nick Louis return for 5 yds to the WCaro 25
13:231st & 10 at own 25Camury Reid run for a loss of 1 yard to the WCaro 24
13:232nd & 11 at own 24Cole Gonzales run for a loss of 2 yards to the WCaro 22 Cole Gonzales fumbled, forced by Isaiah Washburn, recovered by Mercr Isaiah Washburn
12:491st & 10 at opp 22Justin Coleman run for 2 yds to the WCaro 20 Justin Coleman fumbled, recovered by WCaro
Western Carolina Interception, 6 plays
12:451st & 10 at own 20Camury Reid run for 5 yds to the WCaro 25
12:452nd & 5 at own 25Cole Gonzales run for 13 yds to the WCaro 38 for a 1ST down
12:451st & 10 at own 38Cole Gonzales pass complete to Clayton Bardall for 47 yds to the Mercr 15 for a 1ST down
12:451st & 10 at opp 15Camury Reid run for 2 yds to the Mercr 13
12:452nd & 8 at opp 13Cole Gonzales run for 5 yds to the Mercr 8
12:453rd & 3 at opp 8Cole Gonzales pass intercepted Shi’heem Watkins return for 20 yds to the Mercr 20
Mercer 15 plays
10:111st & 10 at own 20Justin Coleman run for 3 yds to the Mercr 23
10:112nd & 7 at own 23Justin Coleman run for 15 yds to the Mercr 38 for a 1ST down
10:111st & 10 at own 38Justin Coleman run for no gain to the Mercr 38
10:112nd & 10 at own 38Justin Coleman run for 2 yds to the Mercr 40
10:113rd & 8 at own 40Justin Coleman run for 15 yds to the WCaro 45 for a 1ST down
10:111st & 10 at opp 45Daniel Shoch pass complete to Trey Adkins for 16 yds to the WCaro 29 for a 1ST down
10:111st & 10 at opp 29Justin Coleman run for 1 yd to the WCaro 28
10:112nd & 9 at opp 28Justin Coleman run for 3 yds to the WCaro 25
10:113rd & 6 at opp 25Justin Coleman run for 1 yd to the WCaro 24
10:114th & 5 at opp 24Justin Coleman run for 14 yds to the WCaro 10 for a 1ST down
10:111st & 0 at opp 10MERCER Penalty, Offensive holding (-22 Yards) to the WCaro 32
10:111st & 0 at opp 32Daniel Shoch pass incomplete
3:312nd & 32 at own 32Cole Gonzales pass complete to Taurus Dotson Jr. for 8 yds to the WCaro 40
3:313rd & 24 at own 40Cole Gonzales pass incomplete to Jacob Harris
3:314th & 24 at own 40Camury Reid run for 1 yd to the WCaro 41
Western Carolina Turnover on downs, 4 plays
3:311st & 10 at opp 43Cole Gonzales pass incomplete to Camury Reid, broken up by Isaiah Washburn
3:313rd & 9 at opp 42Cole Gonzales sacked for 0 yards to the Mercr 46 Cole Gonzales fumbled, recovered by WCaro Cole Gonzales , return for 0 yards

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 Western Carolina–Mercer game

Mercer leads 11–⁠2 in 13 meetings, counting the four since this game.

Recent meetings
2026Mercer 17, Western Carolina 14
2025Mercer 49, Western Carolina 47
2024Mercer 44, Western Carolina 34
2023Mercer 45, Western Carolina 38
2022Mercer 49, Western Carolina 6
2021Mercer 34, Western Carolina 24

Around this game

Western Carolina

Mercer

Ranked games that day

Every game of Week 6