Sat Dec 06 21:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Mercer Bears Ready to Rumble with South Dakota in FCS Playoff Showdown

MACON, Ga. – The Mercer Bears are set to host the South Dakota Coyotes this Saturday, December 6th, at noon at Five Star Stadium in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs. After a bye week, the Bears are primed and ready to battle a formidable Coyotes team that’s on a roll after eliminating Drake in the first round.

“They’re a tremendous football team,” said Mercer Head Coach Mike Jacobs. “They beat three ranked teams to close out the season… We need to play really good, solid football – the best we’ve played all year in all three phases – to be competitive against a really good team.” Jacobs himself is a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, recognizing the national FCS coach of the year.

Fans are encouraged to arrive early for pre-game festivities kicking off at 9 a.m. on Black Field. The Bear Walk, featuring the football team, band, and cheerleaders, begins at 9:30 a.m. and leads to Five Star Stadium. Adults can enjoy the Fall Line beer garden, including $20 bottomless Bearmosas, while students will be treated to a tailgate hosted by Campus Life and Mercer Athletics, featuring free T-shirts, tickets, pom-poms, and breakfast food. A Turtlebox Original speaker will be awarded to the student organization with the best tailgate at 10:30 a.m.

Adding to the excitement, two Mercer standouts are in contention for national awards. Quarterback Braden Atkinson, the SoCon Freshman of the Year, has won the Jerry Rice Award and is also a finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton Award, honoring the national offensive player of the year. Defensive end Andrew Zock, the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year, is a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, awarded to the national defensive player of the year.

Tickets for the game are available online at mercerbears.tixr.com for $34.39. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Mercer Sports Network – 100.9 The Creek FM or sportsmic.com. Don’t miss what promises to be a thrilling playoff matchup in Macon!

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