Mercer ready for Southern Conference debut

Published January 08, 2015

Macon, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - Mercer University will make the transition to Southern Conference football with a 12-game schedule this year, including seven home games.

Coach Bobby Lamb officially released the Bears' schedule Tuesday morning. They set the NCAA record for wins by a first-year program in going 10-2 as a non- scholarship Pioneer Football League program last year.

Mercer will play SoCon opponents Furman (Sept. 6), Western Carolina (Oct. 18) and The Citadel (Nov. 1) at home as well as VMI (Sept. 27), Samford (Oct. 4), Tennessee at Chattanooga (Oct. 25) and Wofford (Nov. 22) on the road.

In addition, the Bears will welcome in non-conference opponents Reinhardt (Aug. 28), Ave Maria (Sept. 20), Austin Peay (Oct. 11) and Warner (Nov. 15). They also will visit Stetson (Sept. 13).

"This is an outstanding schedule for our program and our fans," said Lamb, who previously played and coached in the Southern Conference at Furman. "Making the move to the Southern Conference is a huge leap, but we look forward to facing the challenge. Our fans and game day atmosphere is one of the best in the country and we expect them to show up this fall and be the difference."

2014 Mercer University Football Schedule

Aug. 28, Reinhardt

Sept. 6, Furman*

Sept. 13, at Stetson

Sept. 20, Ave Maria

Sept. 27, at VMI*

Oct. 4, at Samford*

Oct. 11, Austin Peay

Oct. 18, Western Carolina*

Oct. 25, at Tennessee at Chattanooga*

Nov. 1, The Citadel*

Nov. 15, Warner

Nov. 22, at Wofford*

* - Southern Conference game

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/mercer-ready-for-southern-conference-debut