Scouting Mercer

[gofurman]

Anything?

They beat a Chatt team (2nd team?) but who knows what to make of that.

FUBeAR can you give us a basic scout of what they do well and not as well... or is that too much to ask of a split allegiance - though I am just asking for "they can't stop X (strong running teams?) yet but do well against the Y and Z" or whatever may be the case for X Y Z....

[The Jackal]

It's hard to read too much into the UTC game. The Mocs started 19 players for the first time. Even UTC's backup QB was in the game by the 1st Quarter. Just a bizarre game.

This is just a casual observation, but Mercer is still dealing with something that has plagued them for a few years - finding consistency at QB.

I imagine they'll be gunning for us. Furman is always a big game for them, especially at home.

[FUBeAR]

It's hard to read too much into the UTC game. The Mocs started 19 players for the first time. Even UTC's backup QB was in the game by the 1st Quarter. Just a bizarre game.

This is just a casual observation, but Mercer is still dealing with something that has plagued them for a few years - finding consistency at QB.

I imagine they'll be gunning for us. Furman is always a big game for them, especially at home.

QB comment is silly.

Chatt rotated the same 2 QB’s that played against FU. I believe they rolled them every 2 or 3 series.

vs. FU
UTC - Passing
Player Cmp Att. Yds. TD INT Long Sack
Drayton Arnold 6 20 125 0 2 50 1
Cole Copeland 5 9 93 0 1 42 0
TOTALS 11 29 218 0 3 50 1

vs. Mercer
UTC - Passing
Player Cmp Att. Yds. TD Int. Long Sack
Drayton Arnold 9 16 123 1 0 37 4
Cole Copeland 8 11 103 1 0 28 1
TOTALS 17 27 226 2 0 37 5

[FUBeAR]

Mercer
* Young everywhere, but playing hard
* Defensive Front 7 has played well despite their youth & despite some of the rushing stats you might want to read too much into.
* Secondary is talented, but they are also young (for the most part) and have given up some big plays
* O-Line is very young and is improving. They WERE bad against Woffy & LOOKED bad against VMI...even though they played well. Have to remember in this O, A LOT of the blocking at the point of attack is done by backs
* QB is True FR - Bigger version of a John Russ type, but he doesn’t throw as well (velocity, nor accuracy). Also, doesn’t play like a wily veteran yet (as Russ did from the time he moved into his dorm in Maconga). Also, probably not quite as fleet as #7 was. All that said, he’s a tough runner, a gamer, and throws pretty well on the run. He will keep plays alive & often make chicken salad out of chicken poop. Ball handling in a complex offense could be smoother, but it’s improving each week.
* RB’s/TE’s/Retrievers - Combined in this O - Young, learning, playing hard, no Stars yet, but all have shown they have the capability to be productive.
* Special Teams - Kicking has been good. Punting seems to have been fixed with a change there. Coverage of Kickoffs has not been great. KOR has been good - but hampered by injury to Deondre Johnson - still playing - just not returning kicks

Overall - Work in Progress. Have played very well at home in 3 games (1 in Fall). Gave Jax State all they wanted in the Fall. Will be looking to stay in the game & fins a way to win in the 4th quarter.

Very winnable game for Furman, but it will not be easy...unless FU’s D can force meaningful mistakes by Mercer’s O or force them to string together several sets of multiple ‘3 & outs’...and/or FU’s O can run effectively enough to force them to stack box with 8...and then hit explosive pass plays taking advantage of some of the Secondary issues the Bears have shown.

[tim]

Mercer
* Young everywhere, but playing hard
* Defensive Front 7 has played well despite their youth & despite some of the rushing stats you might want to read too much into.
* Secondary is talented, but they are also young (for the most part) and have given up some big plays
* O-Line is very young and is improving. They WERE bad against Woffy & LOOKED bad against VMI...even though they played well. Have to remember in this O, A LOT of the blocking at the point of attack is done by backs
* QB is True FR - Bigger version of a John Russ type, but he doesn’t throw as well (velocity, nor accuracy). Also, doesn’t play like a wily veteran yet (as Russ did from the time he moved into his dorm in Maconga). Also, probably not quite as fleet as #7 was. All that said, he’s a tough runner, a gamer, and throws pretty well on the run. He will keep plays alive & often make chicken salad out of chicken poop. Ball handling in a complex offense could be smoother, but it’s improving each week.
* RB’s/TE’s/Retrievers - Combined in this O - Young, learning, playing hard, no Stars yet, but all have shown they have the capability to be productive.
* Special Teams - Kicking has been good. Punting seems to have been fixed with a change there. Coverage of Kickoffs has not been great. KOR has been good - but hampered by injury to Deondre Johnson - still playing - just not returning kicks

Overall - Work in Progress. Have played very well at home in 3 games (1 in Fall). Gave Jax State all they wanted in the Fall. Will be looking to stay in the game & fins a way to win in the 4th quarter.

Very winnable game for Furman, but it will not be easy...unless FU’s D can force meaningful mistakes by Mercer’s O or force them to string together several sets of multiple ‘3 & outs’...and/or FU’s O can run effectively enough to force them to stack box with 8...and then hit explosive pass plays taking advantage of some of the Secondary issues the Bears have shown.

I noticed Kaelan Riley on the roster at North Greenville.

[FUBeAR]

Mercer
* Young everywhere, but playing hard
* Defensive Front 7 has played well despite their youth & despite some of the rushing stats you might want to read too much into.
* Secondary is talented, but they are also young (for the most part) and have given up some big plays
* O-Line is very young and is improving. They WERE bad against Woffy & LOOKED bad against VMI...even though they played well. Have to remember in this O, A LOT of the blocking at the point of attack is done by backs
* QB is True FR - Bigger version of a John Russ type, but he doesn’t throw as well (velocity, nor accuracy). Also, doesn’t play like a wily veteran yet (as Russ did from the time he moved into his dorm in Maconga). Also, probably not quite as fleet as #7 was. All that said, he’s a tough runner, a gamer, and throws pretty well on the run. He will keep plays alive & often make chicken salad out of chicken poop. Ball handling in a complex offense could be smoother, but it’s improving each week.
* RB’s/TE’s/Retrievers - Combined in this O - Young, learning, playing hard, no Stars yet, but all have shown they have the capability to be productive.
* Special Teams - Kicking has been good. Punting seems to have been fixed with a change there. Coverage of Kickoffs has not been great. KOR has been good - but hampered by injury to Deondre Johnson - still playing - just not returning kicks

Overall - Work in Progress. Have played very well at home in 3 games (1 in Fall). Gave Jax State all they wanted in the Fall. Will be looking to stay in the game & fins a way to win in the 4th quarter.

Very winnable game for Furman, but it will not be easy...unless FU’s D can force meaningful mistakes by Mercer’s O or force them to string together several sets of multiple ‘3 & outs’...and/or FU’s O can run effectively enough to force them to stack box with 8...and then hit explosive pass plays taking advantage of some of the Secondary issues the Bears have shown.

I noticed Kaelan Riley on the roster at North Greenville.

Yes - Kaelan’s Dad lives in the GVL area & his Mom was a hoops star @ Clempsun. Good landing spot for him with Jeff Farrington at the Crusaders’ helm. I hope he is supremely successful & enjoys every second of it. Fine young man & a great family.

[FUBeAR]

Anything?

They beat a Chatt team (2nd team?) but who knows what to make of that.

FUBeAR can you give us a basic scout of what they do well and not as well... or is that too much to ask of a split allegiance - though I am just asking for "they can't stop X (strong running teams?) yet but do well against the Y and Z" or whatever may be the case for X Y Z....

ya comin’?

Festivities start at Noon ... ON CAMPUS

It’s gonna be a Good Time...

...and you can save shipping costs on my Birthday Gifts - just drop ‘em off at my Tailgate!

[gofurman]

Anything?

They beat a Chatt team (2nd team?) but who knows what to make of that.

FUBeAR can you give us a basic scout of what they do well and not as well... or is that too much to ask of a split allegiance - though I am just asking for "they can't stop X (strong running teams?) yet but do well against the Y and Z" or whatever may be the case for X Y Z....

ya comin’?

It’s gonna be a Good Time...

...and you can save shipping costs on my Birthday Gifts - just drop ‘em off at my Tailgate!

Can’t make this one. Two places I still haven’t made are VMI and Macon. Need to get there. Sounds like they built a nice stadium there at 5 star. I also think you have a great coaching hire there! I’ll be watching on them interwebs

Happy Bday ! !! (33? )

[Davemeister]

Are you scared of Mercer, gofurman?

[gofurman]

Are you scared of Mercer, gofurman?

I am scared ! let’s see our OL open some running lanes and give Sisson time to throw. That would make all the difference

[FUBeAR]

Are you scared of Mercer, gofurman?

I am scared ! let’s see our OL open some running lanes and give Sisson time to throw. That would make all the difference

So...you’re saying you would like Sisson to have a Good Time...to throw?

He should, then, arrive early. Good Time starts at Noon on Saturday...ON CAMPUS

[FUBeAR]

If you really want to go “Scouting Mercer,” here a couple of game composite/highlight videos (not “hype” videos) that will enable you to see what the Bears have/had against Chatt. and earlier, at home, against Citadel. The interesting thing about these 2 videos is that CIT was, relatively, at full-strength in this video - took Chatt. to OT the following week - vs. the shambles the bellhops are now AND vs Mercer, Chatt chose to player younger Players in many/most positions. So, for the most part, not the same personnel that Furman faced against Chatt. in the game prior AND, most likely, not the same personnel that FU will face vs. CIT next week.

...and for our resident Teary-er fans, I’ve included Mercer’s BAD game @ Wofford. If Mercer plays like they did in this season opener, Furman will win by 4+ scores.

[The Jackal]

I'd be most interested to see whether Furman "scales back" the offense this week.

Hendrix has noted that we have too much installed, and have not been doing much of it well. I think a narrower playbook will let our guys go play and will result in a more effective offense.

[Mocs123]

For what it's worth my perspective is Furman wins this game easily. Mercer is a couple of years away in my opinion and I think Furman and Chattanooga are there now.

As previously noted Chattanooga played a bunch of freshmen including four offensive linemen that hadn't really taken a snap (Cam Perry came in for two snaps vs. Wofford when McClendon Curtis got shaken up), and the 5th freshman lineman hadn't taken a snap until Furman where he came in for Kyle Miskelley when he was injured. It was also the first snaps for freshman running back Lance Jackson. We also played 3 freshman wideouts, and a freshman Tight End who was playing DE in the fall.

On defense we didn't start as many freshman but we did start 6-7 and the rest of the guys were not normal starters. I think Mercer had less than 100 yards at the half, but either our guys wore out or Mercer adjusted (probably some of both)

Either way while we lost the game, we also fumbled 2 punts inside our own 16 that lead to two Mercer TD's so it could have easily gone the other way.

Furman with a more experienced group and Wynn shouldn't have any problems.

[FUBeAR]

So, you’re saying the Chattanooga Coaches elected to play the Players they played OR the Players they HAD TO play because the Players they wanted to play refused to play - depending upon whether it’s Saturday or the following Monday, I guess...since the story changed.

Either way, Chatt had a home game on their schedule and fielded the Chattanooga Football Team wearing blue & yellow uniforms with big C’s on their helmets.

And, Mercer’s Football Team also showed up in Finley Stadium on the appointed date/time & hung a BIG FAT L on the 9th ranked Mocks, right?

Thought so.

#NoAsterisksAllowed

Do you also need to be reminded that this Mercer Team about ran The Citadel out of the stadium the week before the bellhops took the Mocks to OT - before all of their ‘future NFL 1st round draft choices’ refused to play or were not selected to play by their Coaches.

Perhaps Mercer’s Players were disappointed that Chatt’s Players and/or Coaches decided not to give their best effort to win & ‘played down’ to the competition they were facing. Assuming Chatt would have won the game if those 19 ‘future NFL 1st round draft choices’ had played is nothing more than pure conjecture. It wasn’t too many years ago that a Mercer Team of non-preferred walk-ons whipped a #3 ranked Chatt team’s (also full of the same type of ‘future NFL 1st round draft choices’) a$$, knocking the Mocks out of a Playoff Seed and an outright SoCon Championship.

Last I checked, Chatt was an also-ran in 2019 and watched the 1st round of the Playoffs from their families’ living rooms. Now, the Mocks are halfway-ran QUITTERS for the de facto 2020 season. 2 years of irrelevance in SoCon Football. Almost seems like Chatt fans would be missing the salad days of Tom Arth.

WIN SOMETHING...ANYTHING before y’all start “big-timin’” every other Team in the SoCon.