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| MERCER |
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Samford hands Mercer first loss of season 55-35
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) Quincy Crittendon threw four touchdown passes and Samford Bulldogs handed Mercer Bears its first loss of the season, 55-35 on Saturday.
Crittendon was 23-of-37 passing for 378 yards and survived three interceptions for the Bulldogs (3-3, 2-1 Southern). Damonta Witherspoon added a pair of short touchdown runs in the final minutes of the first half for a 42-7 lead.
Mercer (6-1, 3-1) scored 21 straight points in the third quarter, two on short runs by Dwayne McGee to make it 42-21 but Gavin Morris' 55-yard fumble return and Noah Martin's 26-yard pick-6 in the fourth quarter fended off the Bears.
There were eight turnovers in the game, five by Mercer.
D.J. Rias had a pair of TD catches for the Bulldogs.
D.J. Smith threw for 263 yards with a TD and an interception and Whitt Newbauer threw for another 89 yards with a TD and pick for Mercer, which had won seven straight games dating to last season and is ranked No. 7 in the FCS coaches' poll. Kelin Parsons had 106 yards receiving.
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| Team Stats |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
| Rushing | 0 | 0 |
| Passing | 0 | 0 |
| Penalty | 0 | 0 |
| 3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| 4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
| Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
| Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
| Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
| Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
| Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
| Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
| Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Touchdowns | ||
| Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
| Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
| Other | ||
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
| Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Return Yards | ||
| Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Safeties | 0 | 0 |
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
|
M. Bell
|
M. Bell | 45 | 248 | 0 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
B. Smith
|
B. Smith | 13 | 73 | 1 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
B. Martin
|
B. Martin | 12 | 53 | 1 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. George
|
J. George | 2 | 10 | 0 | 6 |
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
|
B. Smith
|
B. Smith | 0 | 32 | 425 | 5 | 68 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
A. Cook
|
A. Cook | 0 | 13 | 151 | 0 | 55 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
S. Albee
|
S. Albee | 0 | 10 | 96 | 1 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
J. George
|
J. George | 0 | 4 | 26 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
M. Bell
|
M. Bell | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
|
W. Thorley
|
W. Thorley | 1 | 18 | 1 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
K. Cherry
|
K. Cherry | 10 | 17 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
E. Russell
|
E. Russell | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
P. Bird
|
P. Bird | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
