LEXINGTON, Va. – Opening SoCon play with a big 17-14 win against Wofford, the Keydets embark on their longest road trip of the season, visiting Mercer on Saturday.
A WIN OVER WOFFORD – Lifted by two
Hunter Rice touchdowns (one rushing and passing), VMI held on to a 17-14 win over Wofford on Saturday. With the Terriers driving and time winding down, the pressure of the VMI front caused an intentional grounding which resulted in a 10-second runoff and VMI victory.
Aidan Twombly was on the receiving end of Rice's three-yard toss, and
Caden Beck nailed a crucial field goal in the win.
KEY STATS (vs. Wofford)
- Rice rushes, throws for touchdown to go with 90 total yards on the ground
- VMI defense forces and recovers two fumbles, totals 64 tackles
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Aidan Twombly hauls in second TD reception of the season
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Chance Knox has 5 catches, 42 yards
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Evan Eller leads defense with 11.0 tackles and a forced fumble
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Josh Knapp (5.0 tackles) and
Jabari Haslem (4.0 tackles) each force a fumble
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Jack Culbreath punts nine times, pins the ball inside the 20 six times (47.9 average)
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Caden Beck goes 2-of-2 on PATs, hits a 25-yard field goal
- Wofford outgains VMI 343-216, Keydets rush the ball 51 times
- VMI commits just one penalty all game (5 yards)
SCOUTING THE BEARS – The Bears enter Saturday's matchup with an even 2-2 matchup, with its two losses coming at FBS Ole Miss (No. 22) and at No. 8 (now No. 7) Furman, scoring wins over North Alabama and Morehead State. Mercer, who was picked to finish third in the SoCon preseason polls, is powered on offense by Devron Harper, who leads the league in all-purpose yards per game (158.0), being a major factor in the passing, rushing, punt and kick return games. Mercer ranks fifth in scoring offense but is seventh in scoring defense entering Saturday, while VMI leads the league in the latter category.
THE SERIES – The teams have met just nine times, with the first matchup occurring in Lexington in 2014 (L, 24-27). Mercer's 55-17 win at Foster Stadium last year snapped a two-game win streak for the Keydets. In the last two matchups,
Alex Oliver has been a major factor, registering two interceptions in consecutive years including a pick-6 in the 2021 win. Offense was abundant last time the Keydets were in Macon, as
Rashad Raymond had a career-high 163 yards and a score, while
Hunter Rice rushed for 112 yards and three touchdowns. Last year, VMI collected a season-high five turnovers against the Bears, but the high-powered Mercer offense prevailed.
