Mercer at VMI

Saturday, October 3, 2026

Mercer beat VMI 54–⁠3. It was their 13th meeting; Mercer leads the series 10–⁠3.

AwayMercer6–⁠2 in 2026
54
HomeVMI0–⁠7 in 2026
3

Final at Alumni Memorial Field, LexingtonTV: ESPN+Attendance 3,031

At kickoff
50°F, light rain, wind 6 mph from the eastWeather: NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network hourly; Hot Springs Ingalls Field, 38 km from the stadium
Official
Brian HollandGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Mercer1017101754
VMI30003

Standouts

Player stats

Mercer

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Jaylen King14/2320211
J.P. Pickles3/43410
Adrian Parker1/32010
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Zahmari Palode-Gary10130164
Karlise Price782152
J.P. Pickles666127
Micah Bell334025
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Brayden Smith358036
Mykel Calixte246140
Kaden Hanson243123
Eric Rasheed340023
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Sam Martin50.500
Brandon Gunn5000
Jyarius Carter5000
Marquis Williams52.500
Ean Johnson-Kelley410.50
Aiden Holewski310.50
Shareef Jackson21.510

VMI

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Ian Reynolds3/103300
Chandler Wilson1/1800
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Aslin Shipe737019
Leo Boehling92207
Cole Varner116016
Trevin Simon4704
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Cade Cox220012
Traveion Slaughter112012
Brooks Martin1909
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Nic Land13000
Isaiah Grevious7000
Robert Powell7100
Ethan Haston7000
Jacob Moore3110
Terry Dorsey1001

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

Team stats

MercerVMI
658Total yards102
256Passing yards41
402Rushing yards61
8.5Yards per pass3.7
8.6Yards per rush1.5
28First downs8
6–⁠15Third downs3–⁠15
3–⁠3Fourth downs0–⁠0
1Turnovers0
7–⁠63Penalties4–⁠20
31:45Possession28:15
2Sacks (by defense)1

Efficiency

MercerVMI
48%Success rate17%
0.41EPA per play−0.22
1.33Explosiveness1.50
0.50Rushing EPA−0.28
0.28Passing EPA−0.03
20%Passing-down success19%
24%Havoc by its defense9%

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 85% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Mercer −34.5, over/under 48.5.

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 99%, VMI 1%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

VMI end zoneMercer end zoneQ1 MercerField goal, 4 playsQ1 VMIPunt, 9 playsQ1 MercerInterception, 3 playsQ1 VMIField goal, 6 playsQ1 MercerTouchdown, 10 playsQ2 VMIPunt, 7 playsQ2 MercerField goal, 15 playsQ2 VMIPunt, 3 playsQ2 MercerTouchdown, 3 playsQ2 VMIPunt, 4 playsQ2 MercerTouchdown, 6 playsQ2 VMIEnd of half, 1 playQ3 VMIPunt, 3 playsQ3 MercerField goal, 8 playsQ3 VMIPunt, 3 playsQ3 MercerTouchdown, 7 playsQ3 VMIPunt, 6 playsQ3 MercerTouchdown, 10 playsQ4 VMIPunt, 3 playsQ4 MercerField goal, 9 playsQ4 VMIPunt, 3 playsQ4 MercerTouchdown, 1 playQ4 VMIPunt, 3 playsQ4 MercerPunt, 5 playsQ4 VMIEnd of game, 3 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. VMI drives left to right, Mercer right to left.
  1. Q1 MercerField goal, 4 plays, −36 yards
  2. Q1 VMIPunt, 9 plays, 65 yards
  3. Q1 MercerInterception, 3 plays, 36 yards
  4. Q1 VMIField goal, 6 plays, −19 yards
  5. Q1 MercerTouchdown, 10 plays, 68 yards
  6. Q2 VMIPunt, 7 plays, 45 yards
  7. Q2 MercerField goal, 15 plays, 15 yards
  8. Q2 VMIPunt, 3 plays, 10 yards
  9. Q2 MercerTouchdown, 3 plays, 85 yards
  10. Q2 VMIPunt, 4 plays, 33 yards
  11. Q2 MercerTouchdown, 6 plays, 92 yards
  12. Q2 VMIEnd of half, 1 play, −7 yards
  13. Q3 VMIPunt, 3 plays, 45 yards
  14. Q3 MercerField goal, 8 plays, 5 yards
  15. Q3 VMIPunt, 3 plays, 33 yards
  16. Q3 MercerTouchdown, 7 plays, 58 yards
  17. Q3 VMIPunt, 6 plays, 57 yards
  18. Q3 MercerTouchdown, 10 plays, 82 yards
  19. Q4 VMIPunt, 3 plays, 29 yards
  20. Q4 MercerField goal, 9 plays, −11 yards
  21. Q4 VMIPunt, 3 plays, 27 yards
  22. Q4 MercerTouchdown, 1 play, 52 yards
  23. Q4 VMIPunt, 3 plays, 34 yards
  24. Q4 MercerPunt, 5 plays, 48 yards
  25. Q4 VMIEnd of game, 3 plays, 4 yards

Play by play

1st quarter5 drives, then Mercer 10, VMI 3
Mercer Field goal, 4 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35#35 J.Joyce kickoff 62 yards to the MERCER03 #6 S.Martin return 68 yards to the VMI29 (#35 J.Joyce), out of bounds
15:001st & 10 at opp 29PENALTY MERCER False Start 5 yards from VMI29 to VMI34. NO PLAY
15:001st & 15 at opp 34No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass incomplete deep middle to #1 T.Solomon thrown to VMI10
15:002nd & 15 at opp 34No Huddle-Shotgun #21 D.Caldwell rush right for 2 yards loss to the VMI36 fumbled by #21 D.Caldwell at VMI35 forced by #11 R.Powell recovered by MERCER #2 J.King at VMI36 (#32 M.Corbin)
15:003rd & 14 at opp 33No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass complete short middle to #21 D.Caldwell caught at VMI30, for 12 yards to the VMI21 (#8 S.Riveros)
13:124th & 2 at opp 21#37 S.Zeidan field goal attempt from 39 yards GOOD (H: #97 K.Arnold, LS: #56 J.Hamilton), clock 13:12Mercer 3, VMI 0
VMI Punt, 9 plays
13:121st & 10 at own 35#37 S.Zeidan kickoff 65 yards to the VMI00, Touchback
13:121st & 10 at own 25No Huddle-Shotgun #15 I.Reynolds pass incomplete short middle to #1 T.Slaughter thrown to VMI41
13:122nd & 10 at own 25No Huddle-Shotgun #1 T.Slaughter rush left for 3 yards gain to the VMI28 (#5 J.Richardson), out of bounds
13:123rd & 7 at own 28No Huddle-Shotgun #15 I.Reynolds pass complete short middle to #3 C.Cox caught at VMI34, for 12 yards to the VMI40 (#0 J.Carter), 1ST DOWN
13:121st & 10 at own 40No Huddle #1 T.Slaughter rush left for 0 yards to the VMI40 (#13 M.Polke)
13:122nd & 10 at own 40No Huddle-Shotgun #15 I.Reynolds pass complete short middle to #84 B.Martin caught at VMI48, for 9 yards to the VMI49 (#8 C.Goggins)
13:123rd & 1 at own 49No Huddle #9 L.Boehling rush middle for 3 yards gain to the MERCER48 (#15 K.McInnis), 1ST DOWN
13:121st & 10 at opp 48No Huddle #25 A.Shipe rush right for 3 yards gain to the MERCER45 (#8 C.Goggins; #15 K.McInnis)
13:122nd & 7 at opp 45No Huddle-Shotgun #1 T.Slaughter rush right for 4 yards loss to the MERCER49 (#5 J.Richardson)
13:123rd & 11 at opp 49No Huddle-Shotgun #15 I.Reynolds pass incomplete short right to #88 H.Morris thrown to MERCER45
8:354th & 11 at opp 49#99 B.Shrewsbury punt 43 yards to the MERCER06 #9 B.Smith return 4 yards to the MERCER10 (#5 E.Haston)
Mercer Interception, 3 plays
8:351st & 10 at own 10No Huddle-Shotgun #21 D.Caldwell rush middle for 2 yards gain to the MERCER12 (#1 I.Grevious; #0 N.Land)
8:352nd & 8 at own 12No Huddle-Shotgun #21 D.Caldwell rush right for 1 yard gain to the MERCER13 (#16 K.Guyton)
7:223rd & 7 at own 13No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass intercepted by #29 T.Dorsey at MERCER44 #29 T.Dorsey return for loss of 2 yards to the MERCER46 (#9 B.Smith)
VMI Field goal, 6 plays
7:221st & 10 at opp 46No Huddle-Shotgun #15 I.Reynolds rush middle for 5 yards gain to the MERCER41 (#0 J.Carter)
7:222nd & 5 at opp 41No Huddle-Shotgun #9 L.Boehling rush middle for 7 yards gain to the MERCER34 (#16 M.Williams), 1ST DOWN
7:221st & 10 at opp 34No Huddle-Shotgun #25 A.Shipe rush right for 2 yards loss to the MERCER36 (#16 M.Williams)
7:222nd & 12 at opp 36No Huddle-Shotgun #15 I.Reynolds rush middle for 1 yard gain to the MERCER35 (#0 J.Carter)
7:223rd & 11 at opp 35No Huddle-Shotgun #1 T.Slaughter rush left for 4 yards gain to the MERCER31 (#5 J.Richardson; #0 J.Carter)
4:154th & 7 at opp 31#35 J.Joyce field goal attempt from 49 yards GOOD (H: #99 B.Shrewsbury, LS: #98 Z.Atwell), clock 04:15Tied at 3
Mercer Touchdown, 10 plays
4:151st & 10 at own 35#35 J.Joyce kickoff 40 yards to the MERCER25 #90 A.Holewski return 7 yards to the MERCER32 (#40 P.Ward; #30 L.Parker)
4:151st & 10 at own 32No Huddle-Shotgun #7 Z.Palode-Gary rush right for 6 yards gain to the MERCER38 (#4 R.Tasco)
4:152nd & 4 at own 38No Huddle-Shotgun #7 Z.Palode-Gary rush middle for 2 yards gain to the MERCER40 (#90 E.Brooks; #43 H.Berling)
4:153rd & 2 at own 40No Huddle-Shotgun #19 J.Pickles rush middle for 3 yards gain to the MERCER43 (#19 E.Roman), 1ST DOWN
4:151st & 10 at own 43No Huddle-Shotgun #19 J.Pickles rush right for 25 yards gain to the VMI32 (#14 E.Wilborne), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
4:151st & 10 at opp 32No Huddle-Shotgun #21 D.Caldwell rush left for 9 yards gain to the VMI23 fumbled by #21 D.Caldwell at VMI25 forced by #43 H.Berling, out of bounds at VMI23
4:152nd & 1 at opp 23No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass complete short middle to #14 J.Kostmayer caught at VMI19, for 12 yards to the VMI11 (#0 N.Land), 1ST DOWN
4:151st & 10 at opp 11No Huddle-Shotgun #7 Z.Palode-Gary rush middle for 3 yards gain to the VMI08 (#14 E.Wilborne; #5 E.Haston)
4:152nd & 7 at opp 8No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass incomplete short right to #4 K.Calixte thrown to VMI00
4:153rd & 7 at opp 8No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King rush right for 5 yards gain to the VMI03 (#11 R.Powell; #19 E.Roman), out of bounds
0:004th & 2 at opp 3Jackson Kostmayer 3 Yd pass from JP Pickles (Simon Zeidan Kick)Mercer 10, VMI 3
2nd quarter7 drives, then Mercer 27, VMI 3
VMI Punt, 7 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35#37 S.Zeidan kickoff 55 yards to the VMI10, out of bounds at VMI10
15:001st & 10 at own 35No Huddle #1 T.Slaughter rush left for 2 yards gain to the VMI37 (#6 S.Martin)
15:002nd & 8 at own 37No Huddle #15 I.Reynolds pass complete short middle to #1 T.Slaughter caught at VMI47, for 12 yards to the VMI49 (#1 B.Gunn), 1ST DOWN
15:001st & 10 at own 49PENALTY VMI False Start (#52 B.Burnett) 5 yards from VMI49 to VMI44. NO PLAY
15:001st & 15 at own 44No Huddle-Shotgun #15 I.Reynolds pass incomplete short right to #4 C.Varner thrown to VMI47
15:002nd & 15 at own 44No Huddle #4 C.Varner rush right for 16 yards gain to the MERCER40 (#6 S.Martin), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
15:001st & 10 at opp 40No Huddle-Shotgun #9 L.Boehling rush middle for 3 yards gain to the MERCER37 (#1 B.Gunn; #3 C.Favors)
15:002nd & 7 at opp 37No Huddle #27 T.Simon rush left for 1 yard loss to the MERCER38 (#16 M.Williams; #24 N.Gay)
15:003rd & 8 at opp 38No Huddle-Shotgun #15 I.Reynolds pass incomplete short left to #25 A.Shipe thrown to MERCER33
11:024th & 8 at opp 38#99 B.Shrewsbury punt 38 yards to the MERCER00, Touchback
Mercer Field goal, 15 plays
11:021st & 10 at own 20No Huddle-Shotgun #0 E.Rasheed rush right for 1 yard loss to the MERCER19 (#96 E.Daniels; #16 K.Guyton)
11:022nd & 11 at own 19No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass complete short left to #1 T.Solomon caught at MERCER24, for 5 yards to the MERCER24, End Of Play
11:023rd & 6 at own 24No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass complete short right to #1 T.Solomon caught at MERCER29, for 5 yards to the MERCER29 (#11 R.Powell)
11:024th & 1 at own 29No Huddle #2 J.King rush middle for 2 yards gain to the MERCER31 (#91 D.Czapp; #14 E.Wilborne), 1ST DOWN
11:021st & 10 at own 31No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass complete short right to #0 E.Rasheed caught at MERCER29, for 9 yards to the MERCER40 (#0 N.Land), out of bounds
11:022nd & 1 at own 40No Huddle-Shotgun #7 Z.Palode-Gary rush middle for 4 yards gain to the MERCER44 (#8 S.Riveros), 1ST DOWN
11:021st & 10 at own 44No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass complete short right to #9 B.Smith caught at MERCER45, for 3 yards to the MERCER47 (#14 E.Wilborne), out of bounds
11:022nd & 7 at own 47No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass complete short right to #4 K.Calixte caught at VMI47, for 6 yards to the VMI47, End Of Play
11:023rd & 1 at opp 47No Huddle-Shotgun #19 J.Pickles rush middle for 5 yards gain to the VMI42 (#46 Q.Kennedy; #6 A.Dixon), 1ST DOWN
11:021st & 10 at opp 42No Huddle-Shotgun #7 Z.Palode-Gary rush left for 11 yards gain to the VMI31 (#14 E.Wilborne; #11 R.Powell), 1ST DOWN
11:021st & 10 at opp 31No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass complete short left to #17 A.Gregg caught at VMI20, for 12 yards to the VMI19, End Of Play, 1ST DOWN
11:021st & 10 at opp 19No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass incomplete short left to #17 A.Gregg thrown to VMI05 QB hurried by #96 E.Daniels
11:022nd & 10 at opp 19No Huddle-Shotgun #7 Z.Palode-Gary rush middle for 1 yard gain to the VMI18 (#8 S.Riveros; #1 I.Grevious)
11:023rd & 9 at opp 18No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass incomplete short right to #0 E.Rasheed thrown to VMI03
3:554th & 9 at opp 18#37 S.Zeidan field goal attempt from 36 yards GOOD (H: #97 K.Arnold, LS: #56 J.Hamilton), clock 03:55Mercer 13, VMI 3
VMI Punt, 3 plays
3:551st & 10 at own 35#37 S.Zeidan kickoff 65 yards to the VMI00, Touchback
3:551st & 10 at own 25No Huddle #25 A.Shipe rush left for 4 yards gain to the VMI29 (#13 M.Polke)
3:552nd & 6 at own 29No Huddle #15 I.Reynolds pass incomplete short right to #25 A.Shipe thrown to VMI33 QB hurried by #48 R.Dangler
3:553rd & 6 at own 29No Huddle-Shotgun #15 I.Reynolds rush middle for 4 yards loss to the VMI25 (#16 M.Williams)
2:324th & 10 at own 25#99 B.Shrewsbury punt 50 yards to the MERCER25 #9 B.Smith return 6 yards to the MERCER31 (#5 E.Haston) PENALTY MERCER Holding 10 yards from MERCER25 to MERCER15
Mercer Touchdown, 3 plays
2:321st & 10 at own 15No Huddle #7 Z.Palode-Gary rush right for 3 yards gain to the MERCER18 (#1 I.Grevious; #92 J.Moore)
2:322nd & 7 at own 18No Huddle #7 Z.Palode-Gary rush middle for 18 yards gain to the MERCER36 (#0 N.Land), 1ST DOWN
1:481st & 10 at own 36No Huddle-Shotgun #7 Z.Palode-Gary rush middle for 64 yards gain to the VMI00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 01:48, 1ST DOWN #37 S.Zeidan kick attempt good (H: #97 K.Arnold, LS: #56 J.Hamilton)Mercer 20, VMI 3
2:002nd & 7 at own 18Timeout Mercer, clock 02:00
VMI Punt, 4 plays
1:481st & 10 at own 35#37 S.Zeidan kickoff 65 yards to the VMI00, Touchback
1:481st & 10 at own 25No Huddle #25 A.Shipe rush right for 12 yards gain to the VMI37 (#25 E.McDowell), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
1:481st & 10 at own 37No Huddle-Shotgun #25 A.Shipe rush right for 1 yard gain to the VMI38 (#18 J.Ferguson)
1:372nd & 9 at own 38No Huddle-Shotgun #9 L.Boehling rush left for 1 yard loss to the VMI37 (#13 M.Polke)
1:371st & 10 at opp 37Timeout Mercer, clock 01:37
1:313rd & 10 at own 37No Huddle-Shotgun #15 I.Reynolds sacked for loss of 7 yards to the VMI30 (#55 E.Johnson-Kelley, #90 A.Holewski)
1:312nd & 9 at opp 38Timeout Mercer, clock 01:31
1:312nd & 9 at own 38Timeout VMI, clock 01:31
1:144th & 17 at own 30#99 B.Shrewsbury punt 54 yards to the MERCER16 #9 B.Smith return 42 yards to the VMI42 (#0 N.Land), out of bounds PENALTY MERCER Holding (#0 J.Carter) 8 yards from MERCER16 to MERCER08
1:253rd & 10 at opp 37Timeout Mercer, clock 01:25
Mercer Touchdown, 6 plays
1:251st & 10 at own 8No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass complete deep right to #9 B.Smith caught at MERCER38, for 36 yards to the MERCER44 (#11 R.Powell), 1ST DOWN
1:251st & 10 at own 44No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass complete short right to #1 T.Solomon caught at VMI44, for 17 yards to the VMI39 (#0 N.Land), 1ST DOWN
1:251st & 10 at opp 39No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass incomplete short right to #1 T.Solomon thrown to VMI31
1:252nd & 10 at opp 39No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass incomplete short right to #4 K.Calixte thrown to VMI26
1:253rd & 10 at opp 39No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King sacked for loss of 1 yard to the VMI40 (#92 J.Moore)
0:144th & 11 at opp 40J. King pass to K. Calixte for 40 yds, for a TD
VMI End of half, 1 play
0:141st & 10 at own 35#37 S.Zeidan kickoff 65 yards to the VMI00, Touchback
0:141st & 10 at own 25PENALTY VMI False Start (#64 D.Bradley) 5 yards from VMI25 to VMI20. NO PLAY
0:141st & 15 at own 20Kneel down by VMI at VMI18 for loss of 2 yards
3rd quarter6 drives, then Mercer 37, VMI 3
VMI Punt, 3 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35#37 S.Zeidan kickoff 65 yards to the VMI00, Touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25No Huddle #9 L.Boehling rush middle for 1 yard gain to the VMI26 (#48 R.Dangler; #1 B.Gunn)
15:002nd & 9 at own 26No Huddle #9 L.Boehling rush middle for 2 yards gain to the VMI28 (#0 J.Carter; #16 M.Williams)
15:003rd & 7 at own 28No Huddle-Shotgun #15 I.Reynolds pass incomplete short right to #9 L.Boehling thrown to VMI32 QB hurried by #0 J.Carter and #16 M.Williams
13:404th & 7 at own 28#99 B.Shrewsbury punt 42 yards to the MERCER30, out of bounds at MERCER30
Mercer Field goal, 8 plays
13:401st & 10 at own 30No Huddle-Shotgun #21 D.Caldwell rush middle for 1 yard gain to the MERCER31 (#8 S.Riveros; #92 J.Moore)
13:402nd & 9 at own 31No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass complete short right to #9 B.Smith caught at MERCER30, for 19 yards to the MERCER50 (#5 E.Haston; #11 R.Powell), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
13:401st & 10 at the 50No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King rush right for 15 yards gain to the VMI35 (#1 I.Grevious), 1ST DOWN
13:401st & 10 at opp 35No Huddle-Shotgun #19 J.Pickles pass complete short left to #0 E.Rasheed caught at VMI36, for 23 yards to the VMI12 (#5 E.Haston), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
13:401st & 10 at opp 12No Huddle-Shotgun #19 J.Pickles rush right for 1 yard gain to the VMI11 (#1 I.Grevious; #25 A.Babich)
13:402nd & 9 at opp 11No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass incomplete short right to #17 A.Gregg thrown to VMI00
13:403rd & 9 at opp 11No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King rush middle for 1 yard gain to the VMI10 (#1 I.Grevious)
9:594th & 8 at opp 10Simon Zeidan 28 Yd Field Goal
VMI Punt, 3 plays
9:591st & 10 at own 35#37 S.Zeidan kickoff 65 yards to the VMI00, Touchback
9:591st & 10 at own 25No Huddle #9 L.Boehling rush middle for 3 yards gain to the VMI28 (#3 C.Favors; #1 B.Gunn)
9:592nd & 7 at own 28No Huddle #1 T.Slaughter rush left for 2 yards loss to the VMI26 (#6 S.Martin; #18 J.Ferguson)
9:593rd & 9 at own 26No Huddle-Shotgun #15 I.Reynolds pass incomplete short middle to #2 Z.Trump thrown to VMI29
8:314th & 9 at own 26#99 B.Shrewsbury punt 37 yards to the MERCER37 #9 B.Smith return 5 yards to the MERCER42 (#11 R.Powell), out of bounds
Mercer Touchdown, 7 plays
8:311st & 10 at own 42PENALTY MERCER False Start 5 yards from MERCER42 to MERCER37. NO PLAY
8:311st & 15 at own 37No Huddle-Shotgun #21 D.Caldwell rush left for 8 yards gain (2) to the MERCER45 (#0 N.Land), out of bounds PENALTY MERCER Holding (#14 J.Kostmayer) 10 yards from MERCER39 to MERCER29
8:311st & 23 at own 29No Huddle-Shotgun #21 D.Caldwell rush right for 13 yards gain to the MERCER42 (#0 N.Land), out of bounds
8:312nd & 10 at own 42No Huddle-Shotgun #19 J.Pickles pass complete short left to #0 E.Rasheed caught at MERCER39, for 8 yards to the MERCER50 (#16 K.Guyton), out of bounds
8:313rd & 2 at the 50No Huddle-Shotgun #19 J.Pickles rush right for 27 yards gain to the VMI23 (#16 K.Guyton), 1ST DOWN
8:311st & 10 at opp 23No Huddle-Shotgun #7 Z.Palode-Gary rush left for 18 yards gain to the VMI05 (#5 E.Haston), 1ST DOWN
8:311st & goal at opp 5No Huddle-Shotgun #19 J.Pickles pass incomplete short right to #88 K.Hanson thrown to VMI02
6:422nd & goal at opp 5JP Pickles 5 Yd Run (Simon Zeidan Kick)
VMI Punt, 6 plays
6:421st & 10 at own 35#37 S.Zeidan kickoff 64 yards to the VMI01 fair catch by #25 A.Shipe at VMI01
6:421st & 10 at own 25No Huddle #25 A.Shipe rush right for 0 yards to the VMI25 (#1 B.Gunn), out of bounds
6:422nd & 10 at own 25No Huddle #11 C.Wilson rush left for 2 yards loss to the VMI23 (#34 M.Bradley; #55 E.Johnson-Kelley)
6:423rd & 12 at own 23No Huddle #25 A.Shipe rush right for 19 yards gain to the VMI42, out of bounds at VMI42, 1ST DOWN
6:421st & 10 at own 42PENALTY MERCER UNS: Unsportsmanlike Conduct (#1 B.Gunn) 15 yards from VMI42 to MERCER43, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY
6:421st & 10 at opp 43PENALTY VMI False Start (#5 H.Hardnett) 5 yards from MERCER43 to MERCER48. NO PLAY
6:421st & 15 at opp 48No Huddle #11 C.Wilson rush left for 2 yards loss to the MERCER50 (#90 A.Holewski; #21 S.Jackson)
6:422nd & 17 at the 50No Huddle #34 Z.Lewis rush right for 1 yard gain to the MERCER49 (#25 E.McDowell), out of bounds
6:423rd & 16 at opp 49No Huddle #11 C.Wilson sacked for loss of 8 yards to the VMI43 (#21 S.Jackson)
2:454th & 24 at own 43#99 B.Shrewsbury punt 39 yards to the MERCER18 fair catch by #9 B.Smith at MERCER18
Mercer Touchdown, 10 plays
2:451st & 10 at own 18No Huddle-Shotgun #39 B.Martin rush middle for 3 yards gain to the MERCER21 (#1 I.Grevious)
2:452nd & 7 at own 21No Huddle-Shotgun #39 B.Martin rush middle for 4 yards gain to the MERCER25 (#43 H.Berling)
2:453rd & 3 at own 25No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass complete short left to #84 Z.Lowe caught at MERCER27, for 3 yards to the MERCER28 (#0 N.Land; #38 N.Jackson), 1ST DOWN
2:451st & 10 at own 28No Huddle-Shotgun #39 B.Martin rush left for 11 yards gain to the MERCER39 (#0 N.Land), 1ST DOWN
2:451st & 10 at own 39No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass complete short middle to #88 K.Hanson caught at MERCER43, for 23 yards to the VMI38 (#0 N.Land), 1ST DOWN, PENALTY VMI Offside (#94 H.Smith) 5 yards from VMI38 to VMI33
2:451st & 10 at opp 33No Huddle-Shotgun #2 J.King pass incomplete short left to #14 J.Kostmayer thrown to VMI19 QB hurried by #4 R.Tasco
2:452nd & 10 at opp 33No Huddle-Shotgun #39 B.Martin rush middle for 10 yards gain to the VMI23 (#14 E.Wilborne; #8 S.Riveros), 1ST DOWN
2:451st & 10 at opp 23No Huddle-Shotgun #39 B.Martin rush middle for 3 yards gain to the VMI20 (#4 R.Tasco; #32 M.Corbin)
Q4 15:002nd & 7 at opp 20No Huddle-Shotgun #6 A.Parker pass incomplete short left to #84 Z.Lowe thrown to VMI01
Q4 14:483rd & 7 at opp 20Kaden Hanson 20 Yd pass from Adrian Parker (Simon Zeidan Kick)
4th quarter7 drives, then Mercer 54, VMI 3
VMI Punt, 3 plays
14:481st & 10 at own 35#37 S.Zeidan kickoff 62 yards to the VMI03 fair catch by #25 A.Shipe at VMI03
14:481st & 10 at own 25No Huddle #9 L.Boehling rush middle for 3 yards gain to the VMI28 (#34 M.Bradley; #55 E.Johnson-Kelley)
14:482nd & 7 at own 28No Huddle #9 L.Boehling rush middle for 1 yard gain to the VMI29 (#33 A.Butts Jr.; #55 E.Johnson-Kelley)
14:483rd & 6 at own 29No Huddle #11 C.Wilson rush right for 2 yards gain to the VMI31 (#33 A.Butts Jr.)
12:504th & 4 at own 31#99 B.Shrewsbury punt 41 yards to the MERCER28 #9 B.Smith return 18 yards to the MERCER46 (#91 D.Czapp)
Mercer Field goal, 9 plays
12:501st & 10 at own 46No Huddle-Shotgun #27 M.Bell rush left for 6 yards gain to the VMI48 (#0 N.Land; #21 C.Clinton)
12:502nd & 4 at opp 48No Huddle-Shotgun #27 M.Bell rush right for 3 yards gain to the VMI45 (#19 E.Roman; #0 N.Land)
12:503rd & 1 at opp 45No Huddle-Shotgun #27 M.Bell rush middle for 25 yards gain to the VMI20 (#5 E.Haston), 1ST DOWN
12:501st & 10 at opp 20No Huddle-Shotgun #39 B.Martin rush right for 3 yards gain to the VMI17 (#21 C.Clinton; #7 C.Gue)
12:502nd & 7 at opp 17No Huddle-Shotgun #15 K.Price rush right for 8 yards gain to the VMI09 (#21 C.Clinton), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
12:501st & goal at opp 9No Huddle-Shotgun #6 A.Parker rush left for 4 yards gain to the VMI05 (#0 N.Land)
12:502nd & goal at opp 5No Huddle-Shotgun #15 K.Price rush middle for 0 yards to the VMI05 (#38 N.Jackson)
12:503rd & goal at opp 5No Huddle-Shotgun #6 A.Parker pass incomplete short left to #23 M.Purdy thrown to VMI00 broken up by #6 A.Dixon
8:454th & goal at opp 5Simon Zeidan 23 Yd Field Goal
VMI Punt, 3 plays
8:451st & 10 at own 35#37 S.Zeidan kickoff 65 yards to the VMI00, Touchback
8:451st & 10 at own 25No Huddle-Shotgun #11 C.Wilson rush left for 3 yards loss to the VMI22 (#2 E.Lane), out of bounds
8:452nd & 13 at own 22No Huddle-Shotgun #11 C.Wilson pass complete short middle to #3 C.Cox caught at VMI25, for 8 yards to the VMI30 (#33 A.Butts Jr.; #6 S.Martin)
8:453rd & 5 at own 30No Huddle-Shotgun #27 T.Simon rush left for 2 yards gain to the VMI32 (#31 J.Fraziars)
6:364th & 3 at own 32#99 B.Shrewsbury punt 20 yards to the MERCER48
Mercer Touchdown, 1 play
6:241st & 10 at own 48Karlise Price 52 Yd Run (Simon Zeidan Kick)
VMI Punt, 3 plays
6:241st & 10 at own 35#37 S.Zeidan kickoff 65 yards to the VMI00, Touchback
6:241st & 10 at own 25No Huddle #11 C.Wilson rush right for 2 yards loss to the VMI23 (#33 A.Butts Jr.)
6:242nd & 12 at own 23No Huddle #24 D.Parrott rush left for 5 yards loss to the VMI18 (#2 E.Lane)
6:243rd & 17 at own 18No Huddle #27 T.Simon rush middle for 4 yards gain to the VMI22 (#50 B.Subasi; #34 M.Bradley)
4:194th & 13 at own 22#42 W.Lees punt 37 yards to the MERCER41
Mercer Punt, 5 plays
4:191st & 10 at own 41No Huddle-Shotgun #15 K.Price rush middle for 11 yards gain to the VMI48 (#54 B.Necessary; #97 R.McCarthy), 1ST DOWN
4:191st & 10 at opp 48No Huddle-Shotgun #8 C.Hill rush middle for 2 yards gain to the VMI46 (#39 C.Watkins)
4:192nd & 8 at opp 46No Huddle-Shotgun #15 K.Price rush right for 2 yards gain to the VMI44 (#49 L.Snyder)
4:193rd & 6 at opp 44No Huddle-Shotgun #15 K.Price rush middle for 2 yards gain to the VMI42 (#29 T.Dorsey)
2:004th & 4 at opp 42No Huddle-Shotgun #15 K.Price rush left for 12 yards gain (7) to the VMI30 (#24 J.Nicely) PENALTY MERCER Illegal Block in Back (#85 J.Futrell) 10 yards from VMI35 to VMI45, TURNOVER ON DOWNS
2:003rd & 6 at opp 44Timeout Mercer, clock 02:00
1:254th & 7 at opp 45#96 S.Seymour punt 34 yards to the VMI11 fair catch by #5 H.Hardnett at VMI11
VMI End of game, 3 plays
1:251st & 10 at own 11No Huddle-Shotgun #11 C.Wilson rush middle for 1 yard gain to the VMI12 (#90 A.Holewski)
1:252nd & 9 at own 12No Huddle #22 K.Johnson rush left for 1 yard gain to the VMI13 (#6 S.Martin; #25 E.McDowell)
1:253rd & 8 at own 13No Huddle-Shotgun #27 T.Simon rush middle for 2 yards gain to the VMI15 (#99 K.Akintunde)
2nd quarter1 drive, then Mercer 27, VMI 3
Mercer Touchdown, 6 plays
0:144th & goal at opp 0Kel Calixte 40 Yd pass from Jaylen King (Simon Zeidan Kick)Mercer 27, VMI 3

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.

Mercer leads 10–⁠3 in 13 meetings.

Recent meetings
2026Mercer 54, VMI 3
2025Mercer 62, VMI 0
2024Mercer 34, VMI 0
2023Mercer 38, VMI 3
2022Mercer 55, VMI 14
2021VMI 45, Mercer 7

Around this game