The Mercer Bears will face the Morehead State Eagles in their season opener on Aug. 27. It is the only Division I football game being played in Georgia that day, so Five Star Stadium will be the place to be to get your football fix. Here are three things to know before you go.
1. Expectations are high
For the first time, Mercer is being recognized in the preseason rankings. The Bears made top 25 appearances in seven preseason polls: No. 16 by the College Football Network, No. 17 by Athlon Sports, No. 18 by FCS Nation Radio, No. 18 by The Blue Bloods, No. 20 by CBS Sports, No. 23 by the American Football Coaches Association and No. 23 by STATS Perform.
The Bears also received their highest-ever preseason projection by Southern Conference coaches and media members. The media poll projects Mercer to finish second, and the coaches poll projects the Bears to finish third.
2. Corey Smith headlines the pregame concert
The fourth season of the Ford Concert Series kicks off in Toby Town on Black Field with performances by singer-songwriter and guitarist Corey Smith, singer-songwriter Jacob Powell, next-generation Southern rock band Highway 49 and Southern country musician Eli Grambling. The music starts at 1 p.m., and Smith takes the stage at 4:35 p.m.
3. It’s ‘Perry Day’
Throughout the season, Mercer Athletics will recognize its community partners, starting with the city of Perry on Aug. 27. Perry residents are invited to tailgate and cheer on the Bears as Mercer recognizes Perry community members throughout the game. Members of the Perry community can get discounted tickets using the code “Perry” at checkout.
Mercer vs. Morehead State
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 27
Where: Five Star Stadium
Tickets: $15-$25, buy online at tickets.mercer.edu
On TV: ESPN+
On Radio: Mercer Sports Network – 100.9 The Creek FM or sportsmic.com
Feature photo by Will Hanley
