The No. 14-ranked Mercer Bears look to continue their winning streak as they take on Southern Conference rival The Citadel Bulldogs at 6 p.m. Sept. 21 at Five Star Stadium. Here are three things to know before you go.
Bears jump in national polls
A dominating defensive effort against Chattanooga on Sept. 14 led to Mercer’s first 3-0 start in 11 years. It also caught the attention of national voters as the Bears rose in two national rankings of the Football Championship Subdivision.
The biggest move for Mercer came in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll as the Bears leapt to No. 14 from No. 23. Mercer also made an eight-spot jump in the American Football Coaches Association FCS Coaches Poll to the No. 16 position.
The Citadel is unranked in both polls.
Breland to headline Ford Concert Series
Tailgating on Black Field begins at 11 a.m., which will give you ample time to set up your tent before taking part in the day’s festivities. Activities begin at noon with the opening of the Fall Line Beer Garden and Dr Pepper Fansville with inflatables for the kids. Also at noon, you can catch the Ultimate Air Dogs participate in dock jumping, a sport in which dogs leap into a pool of water.
Country musician Joe Lasher will kick off the Ford Football Concert Series at 1 p.m., followed by country singer-songwriter MacKenzie Carpenter at 2 p.m. Music breaks at 3:30 p.m. for the Bear Walk and picks back up at 3:45 p.m. with Breland, whose music spans rap, country and pop. His breakout hit, “My Truck,” went two-times platinum and climbed into the Top 30 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
Five Star Stadium will open at 5 p.m. in advance of the 6 p.m. kickoff.
It’s Family Weekend
Expect lots of mama and papa Bears on campus as we celebrate Family Weekend. Every year, Mercer plans a weekend for families to visit campus and experience a day in the life of their student. Of course, that experience wouldn’t be complete without a chance to cheer on the Bears. In addition to the tailgate activities noted above, registered families will receive free tailgate treats while supplies last and have access to a free photobooth.
Registration is recommended and can be completed online by Sept. 20 or at the Campus Life Office from 4-7 p.m. Sept. 20 and 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 21. The $20 registration includes breakfast, tailgate activities, a discount card and the opportunity to purchase Family Weekend T-shirts for $5 each. Football tickets are sold separately.
Mercer vs. The Citadel
When: 6 p.m. Sept. 21
Where: Five Star Stadium
Tickets: $20-$30, buy online at mercerbears.tixr.com
On TV: ESPN+
On Radio: Mercer Sports Network — 100.9 The Creek FM or sportsmic.com
