SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Saturday afternoon, the Wofford College football team was defeated 42-7 by Mercer at Gibbs Stadium. The Bears scored touchdowns on their first two drives and kept the Terriers out of the endzone until the third quarter.  
 
Wofford begins the season 0-5 and 0-2 in the Southern Conference. Mercer, ranked #13 in the nation, is 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the SoCon. The Terriers were led by Jimmy Weirick with 154 passing yards and Kyle Parsons with 59 rushing yards and a 72-yard kickoff return. The Bears were led by Fred Payton with 330 passing yards and two touchdowns.
 
"We are a group that has to make sure we come out and play with great effort and intent," said head coach Josh Conklin. "We didn't do that on the first two drives especially on defense and dug a whole we couldn't get out of. We have to do a better job on offense moving the ball and getting first downs to find a way to score some points. There is a lot of work to do and we will get back to work on Sunday."
 
The Terriers had the ball first and went three-and-out. On the Bears opening drive, they had three first downs and scored on a one-yard run by Devron Harper for a 7-0 lead at 10:12 in the first quarter. Wofford was forced three-and-out and punted back to Mercer. After four first downs, Mercer added a two-yard touchdown run by Al Wooten to push the lead to 14-0 with 6:00 on the clock. With the ball back, Wofford was unable to gain a first down and punted. Mercer took over and after a sack by Chuck Smith and David Powers, the Bears fumbled and the ball was recovered by Isaiah Wadsworth at the 28-yard line. A 49-yard field goal attempt was wide left for the Terriers.
 
Mercer had two first downs on the ensuing drive, but fumbled and the ball was recovered by Jaheem Hazel and returned to midfield. After first down passes to Landon Parker and Kyle Watkins, a 34-yard field goal attempt was wide right. Micheal Mason has a sack on the next series by the Bears and they punted. The Terriers had a 20-yard run by Kyle Parsons taken back by a holding penalty and Wofford had to punt. Mercer had two first downs and then converted a fourth-and-eight with a pass. After another first down, they scored on a five-yard run by Austin Douglas to make it a 21-0 lead with 40 seconds left in the first half. Wofford ran two plays before the half ended.
 
To begin the second half, Mercer had three first downs, including a 34-yard completion, and ended the drive with a four-yard touchdown pass to Devron Harper for a 28-0 lead with 10:46 on the clock in the third quarter. On second down of the next drive for Wofford, Jimmy Weirick was intercepted on a pass at the 18-yard line. The defense then forced a three-and-out and Wofford took over after the punt. The Bears wasted no time on their next drive, with Fred Payton finding Devron Harper for a 62-yard touchdown pass on first down. Kyle Parsons took the ensuing kickoff 72-yards down the near sideline, setting the Terriers up on the 18-yard line. Kyle Watkins added a first down catch and Nathan Walker scored from four-yards out for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 35-7 with 4:27 left in the third quarter.
 
After a first down by the Bears, Eli Purcell sacked Fred Payton and forced a punt. Wofford had a pair of first downs on the next drive, but had to punt. After a pair of first downs, Brandon Marshall went up the middle for a 41-yard touchdown run as they pushed the lead to 42-7 with 10:04 left in the fourth quarter. Wofford went three-and-out on their next drive. The Bears began their next drive with Daniel Shoch at quarterback and they had one first down before failing to convert a fourth-and-five. Wofford took over and had a first down run by Kyle Parsons and a first down catch by Wyatt Bartkowiak. A completion to Alec Holt moved the ball to the seven-yard line with 34 seconds on the clock and a roughing the passer penalty gave the Terriers first down at the four-yard line. On the final play of the game, Bryce Corriston was intercepted in the back of the endzone.  
 
Wofford had 221 total yards, with 154 passing yards. Mercer had 554 total yards, with 330 of those passing yards. Mercer had a 26 to nine advantage in first downs. Wofford was 4-of-15 on third down and 1-of-1 on fourth down. Mercer was 6-of-11 on third down and 1-of-2 on fourth down. Wofford was called for five penalties and Mercer was called for four in the game. The Bears had a 31:20 to 28:40 time of possession advantage.
 
Wofford vs. Mercer Post-Game Notes
Wofford and Mercer have met 15 times, with the Bears now holding an 8-7 lead in the series. Mercer has won the last two games.
 
The last time Wofford started a season 0-5 was in 1987.
 
Miles Richardson led the defense with eight tackles, while Eli Purcell and Micheal Mason had sacks. Jaheem Hazel and Isaiah Wadsworth each had fumble recoveries.
 
Nathan Walker had his 15^th career touchdown in the third quarter.
 
Game captains were R.J. Khayo and Eli Purcell.
 
Attendance at Gibbs Stadium was 4,087.