Mercer Bears at Western Carolina Catamounts
· NCAA - Football
Atkinson leads Mercer in 49-47 win over Western Carolina, which gets 7 TD passes from Dickens
Mercer clinched the SoCon's automatic bid into the FCS playoffs.
Reice Griffith's 37-yard field goal gave the Bears their 49-47 lead with 1:30 remaining before Taron Dickens drove the Catamounts to the 15-yard line with 3 seconds left. Marcus Trout then missed a 33-yard field-goal attempt on the final play.
Dickens threw seven touchdown passes, including three in the fourth quarter when the Catamounts twice rallied from a 12-point deficit. They took a 47-46 lead on his final TD pass, a 42-yarder to James Tyre, but they failed on a 2-point attempt that would have given them a three-point lead.
Dickens completed 33 of 49 passes for 551 yards. Malik Knight had 141 yards receiving, scoring twice for the Bears (8-1, 7-0), who are tied for 10th in the FCS coaches poll.
Atkinson was 23-for-39 passing for 443 yards. Adjatay Dabbs had 147 receiving yards and Miller ran for 91 yards for the Catamounts (6-4, 5-1), 24th in the FCS poll.
Western Carolina had the edge in total yards, 599-568.
Dickens, a sophomore, had a career-high of 528 yards with six TD passes against Samford earlier this season.
How To Watch
How can I watch Mercer Bears vs. Western Carolina Catamounts?
- TV Channel: Bears at Catamounts 2021 College Football, week 11, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Scoring Summary
 |
TD | 1st Period 11:40 | Michael Rossin 27 Yd pass from Taron Dickens (Marcus Trout Kick) |
 |
TD | 1st Period 3:31 | CJ Miller 7 Yd Run (Reice Griffith Kick) |
|
TD | 2nd Period 14:55 | Patrick Boyd Jr. 21 Yd pass from Taron Dickens (Marcus Trout Kick) |
|
SF | 2nd Period 13:06 | Team Safety |
|
TD | 2nd Period 10:18 | Kendall Harris 6 Yd pass from Braden Atkinson (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed) |
|
TD | 2nd Period 5:25 | Michael Rossin 25 Yd pass from Taron Dickens (Marcus Trout Kick) |
|
FG | 2nd Period 1:43 | Reice Griffith 24 Yd Field Goal |
|
TD | 3rd Period 12:09 | CJ Miller 5 Yd Run (Reice Griffith Kick) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 5:12 | Kendall Harris 24 Yd pass from Braden Atkinson (Reice Griffith Kick) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 2:56 | Malik Knight 32 Yd pass from Taron Dickens (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 0:24 | CJ Miller 26 Yd Run (Reice Griffith Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 14:28 | Malik Knight 54 Yd pass from Taron Dickens (Marcus Trout Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 13:25 | Adjatay Dabbs 81 Yd pass from Braden Atkinson (Reice Griffith Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 6:13 | Jai Boyd 10 Yd pass from Taron Dickens (Marcus Trout Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 3:13 | James Tyre 42 Yd pass from Taron Dickens (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed) |
|
FG | 4th Period 1:30 | Reice Griffith 37 Yd Field Goal |
Statistics
 MER |
 WCU |
|
|---|---|---|
| 23 | 1st Downs | 33 |
| 7-15 | 3rd down efficiency | 10-18 |
| 0-0 | 4th down efficiency | 0-1 |
| 568 | Total Yards | 599 |
| 443 | Passing | 551 |
| 23/39 | Comp/Att | 33/49 |
| 11.4 | Yards per pass | 11.2 |
| 125 | Rushing | 48 |
| 31 | Rushing Attempts | 36 |
| 4.0 | Yards per rush | 1.3 |
| 8-72 | Penalties | 5-55 |
| 0 | Turnovers | 2 |
| 0 | Fumbles lost | 1 |
| 0 | Interceptions thrown | 1 |
| 30:32 | Possession | 29:28 |
Game Information
Location: Cullowhee, NC
Attendance: 14,510 · Capacity:
College Football News
Heather Dinich analyzes which SEC teams gets in the CFP
Dinich calls Oklahoma and Alabama a 'package deal' while detailing the strong resumes of both teams and explains Vandy and Texas' unique situation as the new rankings release.
Kalen DeBoer describes Alabama's ability to get better after losses
After a close loss to Oklahoma, DeBoer speaks on how the Crimson Tide preserve the competitiveness and fight to bounce back from a loss.
Steve Sarkisian speaks on Texas' mistakes vs. Georgia
Sarkisian gives insight on how the Longhorns lost the game in the fourth quarter against the Bulldogs as well as describing QB Arch Manning's progression from the start of the season.
Roles are reversed as we ask the question, Cole, are you impressed?
Roman Harper flips the infamous question onto Cole Cubelic to find out if he is impressed by these one-hand grabs, trucks, hit-sticks and most importantly, the return of the FB dive.
Tennessee's Josh Heupel discusses road matchup vs. rival Florida
As the Volunteers look to compete against the Gators on the road, Heupel explains what he expects from DJ Lagway and Florida at Gainesville.