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Mercer football news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Mercer Bears open FCS season against East Texas A&M on ESPN at 7:00pm Saturday. New head coach Joel Taylor leads a rebuilt roster after key departures.
Background
Mercer football is starting its 2026 season with a nationally televised FCS Kickoff game against East Texas A&M. The team has a new head coach, Joel Taylor, who replaced Mike Jacobs, and lost several key players including quarterback Braden Atkinson and defensive standout Andrew Zock. The game is part of a broader effort to enhance the fan experience with a concert series.
How it unfolded
- Aug 22, 2026Mercer County Titans (a different team) lost 7-38 to Fairdale in a high school football season opener.
- Aug 25, 2026Mercer coaches spoke at a press conference about the upcoming FCS Kickoff season opener.
- Aug 27, 2026Mercer University published '4 things to know' about the game day, and the Mercer Cluster previewed the matchup.
- Aug 29, 2026Mercer Bears host East Texas A&M in the FCS Kickoff at Five Star Stadium, televised on ESPN at 7:00pm.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Mercer is the better team by far, with a stark advantage in the trenches, and could win by three scores or more.
- Coach
- Head coach Joel Taylor said, 'We've got a pretty tight team,' emphasizing togetherness amid offseason transitions.
Still unverified
The prediction that Mercer could win by 23.5 points or more is an analyst's opinion, not a confirmed outcome.