The Mercer Bears’ football season came to an end Saturday in the FCS Quarterfinals, taking a 31-7 loss against North Dakota State University. The No. 7 Bears and No. 2 Bison came into the game with identical 11-2 records, though experience in the competition gave NDSU a clear advantage - the Bison have won the FCS Championship seven times since Mercer’s program was reinstated in 2013.
The game leaders were quarterback Whitt Newbauer ‘28, who went 8-for-18 for 90 yards, and one touchdown and an interception. It was the true freshman’s second start this season in which he recorded less than 100 yards through the air. Dwayne McGee ‘25 had 14 carries for 59 yards, setting a school single-season record with 1,132 rushing yards this season. Kelin Parson ‘25 lone reception in the game was a 38-yard catch that scored Mercer’s only touchdown of the game.
After a three-and-out from the Bears, NDSU scored quickly in the first quarter, only taking two minutes off the clock to get into the endzone on a 40-yard pass from quarterback Cam Miller to wide receiver Bryce Lance. Another Mercer three-and-out gave the ball back to the Bison, who doubled their lead with a two-play drive consisting of passes of 70 and 4 yards.
Going into the game, the Bears had not been shut out all season, including against the Crimson Tide of Alabama. That scoring streak didn’t end on Saturday. Much like their strike against the Tide, Mercer scored on a long pass from Newbauer that kept the team in the game, at least for a few more drives.
The momentum swung towards Mercer on NDSU’s ensuing drive as Myles Redding ‘25 picked off the Bison quarterback at the Bears’ 12-yard line, ending a promising drive for NDSU. It was Redding’s FCS-leading eighth interception of the season.
The momentum was not to be, however, as Newbauer and the offense was held scoreless for the rest of the game and were forced to punt five times in the first half. The Bison scored twice more before halftime, a touchdown and field goal, going into halftime with a 24-7 lead.
The second half started slow as each team punted once, then threw a pick each. Redding tallied his second takeaway of the game with eight minutes left in the third and moved his total to nine on the season. Mercer’s defense played a huge part in their success this season, and often kept the team in the game when the offense struggled.
The game, which took place in Fargo, N.D., was the first time that the Bears reached the quarterfinals, losing last year in the second round to South Dakota State University. Now, NDSU and SDSU will face off against each other in the semi-finals as Mercer prepares for an exodus of players through the transfer portal.
Already, defensive stalwarts Brayden Manley ‘27 and Arias Nash ‘26 have entered the portal since their season ended. Together, they recorded 18.5 sacks this season. In addition to players transferring out of Macon, a plethora of seniors and graduate students who played their last game on Saturday will leave plenty of gaps in the Bears’ starting eleven on defense next season, as it did last year.
The Bears finished with an 11-3 record on the season and a first place standing in the SoCon, anchored by a perfect 7-0 record at home.
