JP Pickles helps Mercer edge Abilene Christian 34-17

Abilene, Texas (AP) — Mercer College pulled ahead of Abilene Christian with a score of 34-17 on Saturday, thanks to quarterback JP Pickles' impressive performance. Pickles contributed 77 passing yards and a touchdown, along with 130 rushing yards and a score. This led to Mercer outscoring Abilene Christian 27 unanswered points. The Bears (3-2), ranked No. 25, trailed by 17-7 in the second quarter before dominating the rest of the game.

Pickles tied the game with a 2-yard run with 49 seconds remaining in the second quarter. He later scored the only other touchdown of the game, a 38-yard pass to Brayden Smith, giving Mercer its first lead. Abilene Christian's defense held strong, forcing five turnovers, including three interceptions from Cameron Goggins, who also added two interceptions of his own this season.

Devon Caldwell rushed for 132 yards on 23 carries for the Bears, while Brayden Smith contributed 68 receiving yards and a touchdown. Tucker Parks threw for 195 yards and three interceptions for Abilene Christian, which also had 85 rushing yards and a touchdown from Tucker Parks. The next matches see Mercer heading to Virginia Military Institute next Saturday, while Abilene Christian hosts West Florida the same day.