LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI Football team will play the second leg of its two-game home stand on Saturday, hosting Mercer for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.
Carter Bank & Trust – Saturday's game against Mercer is presented by Carter Bank & Trust. Visit www.cbtcares.com today for more info.
Attending the Game
Tickets
Weather
Broadcasts
ESPN+ (Wade Branner, Chip Tarkenton)
Radio - 96.7 3WZ (Jeremy Franklin, Rick Cruze)
Live Stats
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VMI (1-6, 0-4 SoCon)
Roster
Coaching Staff
Schedule/Results
Statistics
Game Notes
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Mercer (6-2, 4-1 SoCon)
Roster
Schedule/Results
Coaching Staff
Statistics
Game Notes
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VMI DOWNED BY FURMAN – With its third-string quarterback (Collin Shannon) getting knocked out of the ball game in the first quarter, the Keydets would fall to Furman – who has now entered the FCS Stats Perform 25 at No. 24 – by a score of 41-3. VMI was without Stone Snyder, Eric Weaver and others due to injuries and illness, with rat quarterback Wyatt Hagan going 22-for-40 for 268 yards and an interception in relief. Christian Dunn continued his strong play, recording a sack and eight tackles while Isaiah Lemmond hauls in six catches for 79 yards.
SCOUTING THE BEARS – Although Mercer is coming off a loss (41-21 at Chattanooga), the Bears remain in both the FCS Coaches and Stats Perform Top 25 polls at No. 16. The Mocs, meanwhile, moved up to No. 6 in the Coaches and No .7 in the Stats Perform poll. In conference games, the Bears rank first in total offense (478.4 ypg) and second in scoring offense (36.8), scoring defense (17.4) rushing defense (96.6 ypg) and total defense (278.4 yards per game allowed). The loss to Chattanooga snapped a five-game win streak for Mercer, whose only other loss came at Auburn. In its wins, Mercer is averaging 45.1 points per game but just 18.5 points in the two losses.
HOW THEY RANK – Junior wideout Devron Harper is the No. 1 threat offensively, ranking second among SoCon receivers in reception yards per game (73.8) while pacing the position unit with 10 touchdowns (2nd, FCS) on the season. The junior is a threat on the ground as well, with five rushing touchdowns to give him 15 total TDs (2nd, FCS). Senior quarterback Fred Payton has put up good numbers as well, ranking third in the nation in passing efficiency (183.7) and passing touchdowns with 24.
THE SERIES – The Keydets and Bears have met just eight times overall, with Mercer holding the 5-3 edge. VMI enters Saturday riding a two-game win streak, including a 45-7 win in Macon last year.
A VMI Win over Mercer would ...
--Be VMI's first victory over a nationally-ranked opponent since the 2021 win against Chattanooga
--Be VMI's third consecutive victory over the Bears
- NOTING THE KEYDETS -
NATIONAL NUMBERS – Despite missing last week with injury, Stone Snyder's 10.3 tackles per game ranks seventh among FCS players. Christian Dunn has been the number one threat to the quarterback this season, ranking 21st in sacks per game (0.79) with 5.5 on the year including 1.5 against Furman. All-SoCon punter Jack Culbreath has had a strong season as well, ranking 20th in the country in punting with an average of 42.8 yards per kick.
STATS AMONG THE SOCON – The Keydet defense has done a good job on third downs, allowing league teams just four conversions on 21 chances. Korey Bridy ranks 10th in the league in all-purpose yards, averaging 87.2 yards a game between rushing, receiving and kick returns through four games. Evan Eller has the third-most tackles in SoCon games (39), with Christian Dunn (6.3) and Aljareek Malry (6.0) ranking 11th and 14th, respectively.
SPREAD IT AROUND – For the second straight game, Isaiah Lemmond hauled in six catches, this time for 79 yards. In total, eight Keydets had catches against Furman. Leroy Thomas had a team-high 87 yards, while Korey Bridy, Chance Knox and Aidan Twombly all had four receptions.
TWO-DEEP NOTES – Wyatt Hagan is slated to get his first career start with Miller Jay – also in his rat year – serving as the backup. Terrell Holley should see some time on the field, backing up Shamus Jones at the safety position. Isaiah Lemmond has worked his way to the starting X position, with Leroy Thomas jumping to the Z. Saturday will also mark the first time in the modern era that VMI has started four quarterbacks in one season.
