VMI Keydets at Mercer Bears
· NCAA - Football
Mercer's Braden Atkinson sets school passing record in 62-0 victory over VMI
Mercer (6-1, 5-0 Southern Conference), which is ranked 14th in the FCS coaches poll, hasn't lost since its season opener. The Bears took a 31-0 lead after the first quarter.
Brayden Smith caught two touchdown passes, covering 75 and 32 yards. He finished with 155 yards on nine catches. Adjatay Dabbs recorded a touchdown and 149 receiving yards. Adonis McDaniel and CJ Miller also had touchdown catches. Miller, Ty Doughty and Carlos Benjamin recorded rushing touchdowns.
Atkinson, in addition to breaking the school record for most yards thrown, tied his record for most touchdowns thrown in a game. The last Mercer QB with over 500 passing yards was Fred Payton in 2022.
VMI (1-7, 0-4) was held to 155 total yards on offense.
How To Watch
How can I watch VMI Keydets vs. Mercer Bears?
- TV Channel: Keydets at Bears 2021 College Football, week 9, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Scoring Summary
 |
TD | 1st Period 14:50 | Brayden Smith 75 Yd pass from Braden Atkinson (Reice Griffith Kick) |
|
TD | 1st Period 10:28 | Brayden Smith 32 Yd pass from Braden Atkinson (Reice Griffith Kick) |
|
TD | 1st Period 7:46 | CJ Miller 59 Yd pass from Braden Atkinson (Reice Griffith Kick) |
|
FG | 1st Period 2:56 | Reice Griffith 25 Yd Field Goal |
|
TD | 1st Period 1:39 | CJ Miller 75 Yd Run (Reice Griffith Kick) |
|
TD | 2nd Period 4:22 | Adjatay Dabbs 84 Yd pass from Braden Atkinson (Reice Griffith Kick) |
|
FG | 2nd Period 0:13 | Reice Griffith 50 Yd Field Goal |
|
TD | 3rd Period 0:53 | Adonis McDaniel 51 Yd pass from Braden Atkinson (Reice Griffith Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 8:16 | Ty Doughty 15 Yd Run (Reice Griffith Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 3:52 | Carlos Benjamin 58 Yd Run (Reice Griffith Kick) |
Statistics
 VMI |
 MER |
|
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1st Downs | 30 |
| 1-15 | 3rd down efficiency | 6-12 |
| 0-0 | 4th down efficiency | 0-0 |
| 155 | Total Yards | 834 |
| 105 | Passing | 586 |
| 11/29 | Comp/Att | 33/39 |
| 3.6 | Yards per pass | 15.0 |
| 50 | Rushing | 248 |
| 26 | Rushing Attempts | 31 |
| 1.9 | Yards per rush | 8.0 |
| 2-25 | Penalties | 5-40 |
| 0 | Turnovers | 0 |
| 0 | Fumbles lost | 0 |
| 0 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
| 25:47 | Possession | 34:13 |
Game Information
Location: Macon, GA
Attendance: 7,009 · Capacity:
College Football News
College football's top 25 portal classes from the 2026 cycle
These teams nailed their top targets or won a QB battle. Others had to reload at quite a few positions.
2026 college football Top 25: Under-the-radar players for each team
Someone from each of the top teams you may not know now, but will by the end of the 2026 season.
Paul Finebaum: Brendan Sorsby's alleged gambling is 'tip of an iceberg'
Paul Finebaum details why the NCAA's investigation of Brendan Sorsby's alleged gambling is such a big story.
Notre Dame heads into 2026 with QB it hasn't had in a long time
CJ Carr is forging his own path with the Irish. He could also be the QB to lead them to a title.
2026 NFL draft: Yates' five favorite picks in every round
Omar Cooper Jr. at No. 30? R Mason Thomas in Round 2? Cole Payton on Day 3? Field Yates has the best picks in every round.