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2025 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR (COACHES): Braden Atkinson, QB, Mercer,...Mercer's Atkinson has put together one of the best freshman seasons ever by a quarterback nationally. He needs only 370 more yards through the air to break Elon's Scott Riddle's 2007 single-season SoCon and FCS freshman passing mark of 3,817 yards. His 34 passing touchdowns broke the previous FCS freshman mark of 31 set in 2004 by New Hampshire's Ricky Santos and tied in 2007 by Riddle. Atkinson is within striking distance of Riddle's SoCon and national freshman mark of 3,738 total offensive yards, which Riddle set in 2007 at Elon. He needs five more touchdowns responsible for to catch Riddle for the SoCon's freshman record (40), also set in 2007. Atkinson is the second Mercer player in a row to earn SoCon Freshman of the Year honors, joining Andrew Zock (2024). He is the first Mercer offensive player to win the award since quarterback Kaelan Riley (2017). Atkinson ranks second among all quarterbacks nationally in passing yards per game (344.8), passing yards (3,448), completions (25.0), and touchdowns (34). He ranks third nationally among all quarterbacks in total offense (345.8), passing efficiency (173.80), yards per attempt (9.4) and points responsible for (21.0 per game). He leads all FCS freshman in passing offense (by 921 yards) and total offense (by 619 yards).

Atkinson's best game through the air this season, a 533-yard effort vs. VMI, fell only seven yards shy of the NCAA FCS freshman record for yards passing in a game. It fell one yard shy of the SoCon freshman mark, set in 2007 by Scott Riddle. Atkinson's 533 yards are the fifth most in a game in SoCon history overall. He tossed a season-high five touchdowns vs. Samford (10/4), VMI (10/25), and Chattanooga (11/15) and had at least three touchdown passes in eight of the 10 games he played during the regular season. Atkinson's current passing efficiency rating (173.80) would rank third all-time in SoCon history, regardless of class, for a season. Dickens' rating of 188.24 this season broke Michael Payton's previous mark of 181.30 set in 1991. Atkinson is one of only two quarterbacks in SoCon history to pass for more than 2,000 yards over a five-game stretch, joining Devlin Hodges (Samford). Hodges did so three times over two different seasons. Atkinson's stretch of six consecutive games with at least 300 passing yards is second in SoCon history behind Riddle's nine-game stretch in 2007. - SoCon Football

(DS#15 QB) Fr/2029

QB Braden Atkinson, Mercer
News Source: SoCon Football
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11/26/25 - Andrew Zock, So/2028, Mercer, 6-2, 250 (DS#28 DE) + More +

2025 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR (COACHES): Andrew Zock, So., DL, Mercer,...Mercer's Zock is the second Bear to be named Defensive Player of the Year, joining former teammate Brayden Manley (2024). Zock finished the regular season ranked second nationally in tackles for loss per game (1.81), sixth nationally in sacks per game (1.04), and is among the national leaders with 22 quarterback hurries. Zock's 20 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks are both new career-high totals and raise his career totals to 34.5 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks in only 25 games played. Zock was the 2024 SoCon Freshman of the Year.

Zock had five games with multiple sacks and seven games with multiple tackles for loss. His most productive outing came on Sept. 13 vs. Wofford, with eight tackles, 4.5 for loss, a sack and two hurries. He registered at least a half TFL in all but two games in 2025. Zock's most efficient game came on Oct. 25 vs. VMI, when he had two solo stops, both sacks, and four quarterback hurries. Behind Zock's pressure, the Mercer defense ranks first nationally in team sacks, third in first-down defense, fourth in rushing defense, fourth in team TFL, and 17th in third down defense. The Bears also rank in the top 25 nationally in red zone defense. - SoCon Football

(DS#28 DE) So/2028

DE Andrew Zock, Mercer
News Source: SoCon Football
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11/25/25 - Braden Atkinson, Fr/2029, Mercer, 6-1, 215 (DS#15 QB) + More +

WEEK 12 SOCON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer (Rolesville, NC),...Atkinson powered the nationally-ranked Bears to their ninth-straight win, delivering a 63-17 decision over Chattanooga on Homecoming at Five Star Stadium. Atkinson completed 28-of-37 passes for 321 yards and five touchdowns, finding the end zone on throws of 33, 6, 12, 6, and 32 yards. Atkinson tied his own school record for single-game touchdown passes and broke three Mercer single-season records. A strong candidate for national postseason honors, Atkinson has completed 230-of-334 passes this season for 3,238 yards and 33 touchdowns. He has also rushed for a score. Saturday's effort marked the eighth time in nine games that he has topped the 300-yard mark through the air. Other nominees: Taron Dickens (Western Carolina), Jeremiah Harrison (ETSU), Gerald Modest, Jr. (Wofford). - SoCon Football

(DS#15 QB) Fr/2029

QB Braden Atkinson, Mercer
News Source: SoCon Football
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11/25/25 - Andrew Zock, So/2028, Mercer, 6-2, 250 (DS#28 DE) + More +

WEEK 12 SOCON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Andrew Zock, So., DE, Mercer (Hawthorne, FL),...Zock was a wrecking ball in Mercer's 63-17 win over Chattanooga, registering six total tackles (four solo), 3.5 tackles for loss (minus-21 yards), 1.5 sacks (minus-11 yards), one fumble recovery, and a quarterback hurry. Zock anchored a defensive effort that held the Mocs to only 12 first downs, 60 yards rushing, and 198 yards of total offense. Zock set new Mercer single-season records for tackles for loss and sacks, leading the team this season with 18.5 tackles behind the line (minus-103 yards) and 11.5 sacks (minus-83 yards). One of the nation's best pass rushers also has a team-high 22 quarterback hurries in 2025. Other nominees: Samaurie Dukes (Western Carolina), Darius Malcolm (Wofford), Trevor Moffitt (ETSU). - SoCon Football

(DS#28 DE) So/2028

DE Andrew Zock, Mercer
News Source: SoCon Football
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11/25/25 - Reice Griffith, Jr/2027, Mercer, 5-11, 170 (DS#999 K) + More +

WEEK 11 SOCON SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Reice Griffith, Jr., PK, Mercer, Pace, Fla.,...Griffith, who won the honor for the third time this season, scored 11 points as Mercer won its top-25 matchup at Western Carolina, 49-47, on Saturday. The junior went 5-for-5 on PAT attempts and connected on field goals from 24 and 37 yards out. The 37-yarder was the game-winning field goal with under two minutes left. The product of Pace, Florida, also kicked four touchbacks on nine kickoffs. Mercer is ranked No. 8 in both the AFCA and Stats Perform polls. Other nominees: Jude Kelley (Chattanooga), Ben Shrewsbury (VMI), and Stephen Brantley (Western Carolina). - SoCon Football

(DS#999 K) Jr/2027

K Reice Griffith, Mercer
News Source: SoCon Football
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11/25/25 - Braden Atkinson, Fr/2029, Mercer, 6-1, 215 (DS#15 QB) + More +

WEEK 11 SOCON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Battle Alberson, R-Fr., QB, Chattanooga, Gulf Breeze, Fla.,...Alberson won his first career start with a record-setting day in Chattanooga's 45-28 win over Furman. The native of Gulf Breeze, Florida, set a school freshman record with 362 yards of total offense, throwing for 277 yards and rushing for 85 more while connecting on four touchdown passes. The redshirt freshman, who led the league with a 233.9 passer rating this past Saturday, led the Mocs offense that was 8 of 16 on first down, converting four on the ground and two through the air. Alberson was named the Stats Perform FCS National Freshman Player of the Week on Monday. Other nominees: Devontae Houston (ETSU), CJ Miller (Mercer), Taron Dickens (Western Carolina) and JT Fayard (Wofford). - SoCon Football

(DS#15 QB) Fr/2029

QB Braden Atkinson, Mercer
News Source: SoCon Football
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11/25/25 - Braden Atkinson, Fr/2029, Mercer, 6-1, 215 (DS#15 QB) + More +

WEEK 10 SOCON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer, Rolesville, N.C.,...Atkinson, who won the honor for the second consecutive week, had 434 yards of total offense, accounting for five touchdowns in Mercer's 52-28 win at Furman. The freshman threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score, which was the first rushing touchdown of his collegiate career. The product of Rolesville, North Carolina, averaged 15.2 yards per completion in the team's comeback win. Atkinson is second in FCS football in passing yards per game (353.43). Mercer is now ranked No. 10 in the AFCA poll and No. 12 in the Stats Perform poll. Other nominees: Jihad Marks (The Citadel), Calvin Jones (Samford), Noah Grevious (VMI), and James Tyre (Western Carolina). - SoCon Football

(DS#15 QB) Fr/2029

QB Braden Atkinson, Mercer
News Source: SoCon Football
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11/25/25 - Braden Atkinson, Fr/2029, Mercer, 6-1, 215 (DS#15 QB) + More +

WEEK 9 SOCON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer, Rolesville, N.C.,...Atkinson, who also won the honor on Oct. 13, threw for a school record 533 yards, connecting on 29-of-35 passes with five touchdowns and no interceptions in Mercer's 62-0 win over VMI. The freshman's touchdown passes were from 75, 32, 59, 84 and 51 yards out. The native of Rolesville, North Carolina, completed passes to 10 different receivers, averaging 18.4 yards per completion. Atkinson's performance led to him being named the Stats Perform FCS National Freshman Player of the Week for the second time this season on Monday. Atkinson is now second in FCS football in completing percentage (.722) and passing yards per game (342.2). Mercer is now ranked No. 13 in AFCA poll and No. 15 in the Stats Perform poll. Other nominees: Jihad Marks (The Citadel), Devontae Houston (ETSU), and Camden Orth (Chattanooga). - SoCon Football

(DS#15 QB) Fr/2029

QB Braden Atkinson, Mercer
News Source: SoCon Football
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11/18/25 - Braden Atkinson, Fr/2029, Mercer, 6-1, 215 (DS#15 QB) + More +

WEEK 9 FCS NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Braden Atkinson, Mercer, QB, Fr., 6-1, 215,...Atkinson passed for 533 yards - just seven shy of the FCS single-game freshman record - in Mercer's 62-0 rout of VMI in the Southern Conference. He completed 29-of-35 attempts, averaged 60.2 yards on five touchdown passes (with a high of 84 yards) and had a 259.1 pass efficiency rating. Now 6-0 as a starter, Atkinson has earned two selections as the national freshman player of the week. Honorable Mention: Tony Diaz, WR, UTRGV; Logan Inagawa, QB, Drake; Rashawn Marshall, RB, Maine; Geoffrey McKelton, DB, Alcorn State; Raymond Moore III, QB, Morgan State; Montreze Smith Jr., LB, Austin Peay. - Stats Perform FCS Football

(DS#15 QB) Fr/2029

QB Braden Atkinson, Mercer
News Source: Stats Perform FCS Football
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11/15/25 - Braden Atkinson, Fr/2029, Mercer, 6-1, 215 (DS#15 QB) + More +

Braden Atkinson threw five touchdowns to four different receivers, tallying 326 yards passing, and seven different players found the end zone as Mercer defeated Chattanooga 63-17 in a rout on Saturday. Atkinson, a freshman, has thrown for more than 300 yards in all but one contest this season for the Bears (9-1, 8-0 SoCon), ranked eighth in the FCS coaches' poll. Mercer clinched the SoCon crown outright for the second straight season, the first team to do so since Appalachian State in 2008-09.

Malik Simmons caught both of his targets for 39 yards and two scores, and Adjatay Dabbs, Adonis McDaniel, and Brayden Smith each caught a touchdown pass. CJ Miller had 91 yards rushing and two scores on 14 carries, and Ty Doughty had 40 yards and a touchdown on four carries. Backup quarterback DJ Smith added 56 yards and a touchdown on three carries. Markell Quick caught three of his five targets for 75 yards and a touchdown for the Mocs (5-6, 4-3). - AP College Football

(DS#15 QB) Fr/2029

QB Braden Atkinson, Mercer
News Source: AP College Football
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11/08/25 - Braden Atkinson, Fr/2029, Mercer, 6-1, 215 (DS#15 QB) + More +

Braden Atkinson threw three touchdown passes, CJ Miller ran for three scores, and Mercer defeated Western Carolina 49-47 on Saturday in a shootout to win the Southern Conference title. Mercer clinched the SoCon's automatic bid into the FCS playoffs. Reice Griffith's 37-yard field goal gave the Bears their 49-47 lead with 1:30 remaining before Taron Dickens drove the Catamounts to the 15-yard line with 3 seconds left. Marcus Trout then missed a 33-yard field-goal attempt on the final play.

Dickens threw seven touchdown passes, including three in the fourth quarter when the Catamounts twice rallied from a 12-point deficit. They took a 47-46 lead on his final TD pass, a 42-yarder to James Tyre, but they failed on a 2-point attempt that would have given them a three-point lead. Dickens completed 33 of 49 passes for 551 yards. Malik Knight had 141 yards receiving, scoring twice for the Bears (8-1, 7-0), who are tied for 10th in the FCS coaches poll. Atkinson was 23-for-39 passing for 443 yards. Adjatay Dabbs had 147 receiving yards and Miller ran for 91 yards for the Catamounts (6-4, 5-1), 24th in the FCS poll. Western Carolina had the edge in total yards, 599-568. Dickens, a sophomore, had a career-high of 528 yards with six TD passes against Samford earlier this season. - AP College Football

(DS#15 QB) Fr/2029

QB Braden Atkinson, Mercer
News Source: AP College Football
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11/01/25 - Braden Atkinson, Fr/2029, Mercer, 6-1, 215 (DS#15 QB) + More +

Braden Atkinson threw for 426 yards, including four touchdowns, and Mercer defeated Furman 52-28 on Saturday. The Bears have won a school-record seven consecutive games and are 6-0 in conference play for the first time in the 51-plus seasons of the program. Atkinson's touchdowns went to four receivers. Adonis McDaniel caught seven passes for 139 yards. His touchdown went for 37 yards and the game's final score early in the fourth quarter. Adjatay Dabbs had six receptions for 117 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown.

CJ Miller added 111 yards rushing, scoring twice, for the Bears (7-1, 6-0 Southern Conference). Furman (5-4, 3-3) cashed in on a number of big plays, including Caleb Easterling's 100-yard kickoff return to open the second half. The Paladins were outgained 628-227 total yards, the bulk of their offense coming on a 67-yard touchdown run by CJ Nettles and a 64-yard touchdown pass from Trey Hedden to Ja'Keith Hamilton. Nettles finished with 105 yards rushing. - AP College Football

(DS#15 QB) Fr/2029

QB Braden Atkinson, Mercer
News Source: AP College Football
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10/25/25 - Braden Atkinson, Fr/2029, Mercer, 6-1, 215 (DS#15 QB) + More +

Mercer quarterback Braden Atkinson threw five touchdown passes and broke a school record with 538 passing yards in the Bears' 62-0 win over VMI on Saturday afternoon. Mercer (6-1, 5-0 Southern Conference), which is ranked 14th in the FCS coaches poll, hasn't lost since its season opener. The Bears took a 31-0 lead after the first quarter.

Brayden Smith caught two touchdown passes, covering 75 and 32 yards. He finished with 155 yards on nine catches. Adjatay Dabbs recorded a touchdown and 149 receiving yards. Adonis McDaniel and CJ Miller also had touchdown catches. Miller, Ty Doughty and Carlos Benjamin recorded rushing touchdowns. Atkinson, in addition to breaking the school record for most yards thrown, tied his record for most touchdowns thrown in a game. The last Mercer QB with over 500 passing yards was Fred Payton in 2022. VMI (1-7, 0-4) was held to 155 total yards on offense. - AP College Football

(DS#15 QB) Fr/2029

QB Braden Atkinson, Mercer
News Source: AP College Football
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10/21/25 - Braden Atkinson, Fr/2029, Mercer, 6-1, 215 (DS#15 QB) + More +

WEEK 8 SOCON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer, Rolesville, N.C.,...Atkinson was 27-of-42 passes, throwing for 347 yards in Mercer's 38-14 win at Princeton. The native of Rolesville, North Carolina, recorded touchdown passes from 2, 23 and yards out during the contest. The freshman completed passes to 11 different receivers in the contest en route to his fourth 300-plus yard passing game of the season, which is a school record. Atkinson led the Bears to their fifth straight win against Princeton, elevating Mercer to No. 16 in the AFCA poll and No. 20 in the Stats Perform poll. Other nominees: Devontae Houston (ETSU), Taron Dickens (Western Carolina), and Ihson Jackson-Anderson (Wofford). - SoCon Football

(DS#15 QB) Fr/2029

QB Braden Atkinson, Mercer
News Source: SoCon Football
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10/14/25 - Braden Atkinson, Fr/2029, Mercer, 6-1, 215 (DS#15 QB) + More +

WEEK 7 SOCON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Braden Atkinson, Fr., QB, Mercer, Rolesville, N.C.,...Atkinson was 27-of-42 passes, throwing for 347 yards in Mercer's 38-14 win at Princeton. The native of Rolesville, North Carolina, recorded touchdown passes from 2, 23 and yards out during the contest. The freshman completed passes to 11 different receivers in the contest en route to his fourth 300-plus yard passing game of the season, which is a school record. Atkinson led the Bears to their fifth straight win against Princeton, elevating Mercer to No. 16 in the AFCA poll and No. 20 in the Stats Perform poll. Other nominees: Devontae Houston (ETSU), Taron Dickens (Western Carolina), and Ihson Jackson-Anderson (Wofford). - SoCon Football

(DS#15 QB) Fr/2029

QB Braden Atkinson, Mercer
News Source: SoCon Football
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