CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — No. 25 Chattanooga lost a homecoming defensive struggle 14-7 in overtime to ranked Mercer on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Finley Stadium in a Southern Conference game.
The Mocs scored first. Running back Journey Wyche broke a 50-yard run to the Mercer 4, and quarterback Battle Alberson ran it in from four yards out with 1:44 left in the opening quarter.
Mercer answered midway through the second quarter with a 70-yard drive capped by a 3-yard shovel pass on fourth down, and neither team scored again in regulation. Chattanooga was stopped on fourth-and-1 at the Mercer 32 with 1:20 to go, and Mercer then moved into position for a last-second field goal that sailed wide left. Bears kicker Simon Zeidan missed three tries in regulation, the final one from 42 yards as time ran out.
In overtime, Mercer quarterback JP Pickles hit wide receiver Brayden Smith on a 7-yard touchdown pass. On the Mocs’ turn, Alberson was stripped after picking up a first down, and Mercer’s Mike Polke fell on the loose ball to seal it.
Pickles threw both Mercer touchdowns to Smith and finished 13 of 22 through the air for 110 yards, adding 73 yards on the ground. Zahmari Palode-Gary carried for 96 yards to lead the Bears.
Wyche ran for 106 yards on 17 carries. Mercer outgained the Mocs 340-264, and 223 of Chattanooga’s yards came on the ground. The Mocs went 5 of 14 on third down, did not allow a sack and lost the only two turnovers of the game. It was Chattanooga’s first home overtime game since a 26-23 loss to Jacksonville State in 2014.
The loss drops Chattanooga to 6-4 overall and 5-2 in league play. Mercer improved to 8-2 and 5-1 in the conference and plays at Tennessee Tech next Saturday.
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