Samford defeats Mercer in season upset on October 19

On Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama, Quincy Crittendon led Samford to a significant victory against Mercer, marking the Bears' first loss of the season. He completed 23 of 37 passes for 378 yards and threw four touchdown passes despite suffering three interceptions. The Bulldogs established a commanding lead of 42-7 by halftime, aided by Damonta Witherspoon's two short touchdown runs. In response, Mercer, who had been riding a seven-game winning streak, attempted a comeback by scoring 21 consecutive points in the third quarter, narrowing the score to 42-21 with contributions from Dwayne McGee. However, defensive plays by Samford, including a 55-yard fumble return by Gavin Morris and Noah Martin's 26-yard interception return for a touchdown, ultimately secured the Bulldogs' victory. Both teams displayed an aggressive offensive strategy, resulting in eight turnovers during the match, with Mercer yielding five of them. D.J. Rias emerged as a key player, catching two touchdown passes, while Mercer quarterbacks D.J. Smith and Whitt Newbauer combined for 352 passing yards, although their efforts fell short against the Bulldogs' balanced offensive attack. This outcome not only halted Mercer’s winning streak but also showcased the competitiveness of the Southern Conference, with Samford improving their season record to 3-3, and Mercer now standing at 6-1.