By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
MACON, Ga. – Turnovers proved costly for the Tennessee Tech football team as three miscues started scoring drives for the Mercer Bears on Saturday as the Golden Eagles fell 34-27 at Five Star Stadium.
Tech opened the game with a fantastic punctuation as Dontez Byrd broke loose for a 100-yard kickoff return on the opening kick, with Nick Madonia adding the PAT to make it a 7-0 Tech lead with just 13 seconds ticked off the clock.
Mercer answered on its opening drive by putting a 42-yard field goal through the uprights to close out the first quarter scoring.
The Bears took the lead late in the second quarter as quarterback John Russ found paydirt on a 15-yard run with 3:23 left in the first half. The PAT made it a 10-7 Mercer lead. The drive started on a Tech fumble on a sack.
However, the Golden Eagles put together an impressive drive to end the second quarter, travelling 62 yards on six plays, scoring as Kip Patton hauled in a 27-yard pass from Michael Birdsong to take a 14-10 lead into the intermission.
Birdsong opened up the second half with his second touchdown of the day, throwing a 21-yard strike to Jordan Giberti. Madonia's PAT was good, making it a 21-10 Tech lead.
But the momentum started to shift.
Sam Walker caught back-to-back touchdown passes from Russ, on 22- and 9-yard strikes, to take a 24-21 lead. The second score saw its drive start from a Tech fumble as Krys Cates had a completed catch knocked out of his hand to give the ball back to the Bears.
After a 4-and-out from Tech, the Golden Eagles took advantage of a moment of confusion, Russ threw a pass to Walker and it fell to the ground. With no whistle blown, Josh Poplar picked up the loose ball and carried it into the end zone. The officials ruled the play a fumble and credited Tech with the touchdown, putting Tech back up 27-24.
However, Madonia's extra-point try was blocked, shifting the momentum back into the Bears' corner.
A Birdsong interception kicked off a six-play, 27-yard scoring drive for the Bears as Russ ended the drive with a one-yard run.
Cole Fisher ended Mercer's scoring with a 49-yard field goal for the final margin of 34-27.
The Golden Eagles had one last chance to put together a drive, but a sack on Birdsong knocked the ball loose, allowing Mercer to reclaim the ball and kneel to end the game.
Birdsong finished the game with 239 yards and two touchdowns on a 23-for-30 day, while Patton hauled in six passes for 58 yards and a score. Yeedee Thaenrat led the rush with 22 carries for 57 yards.
For Mercer, Russ ended the game with 259 yards on 23-of-35 passing, while Avery Ward caught eight passes for 86 yards. Payton Usher led the Bears with 77 yards on 16 carries.
Tech (1-2) returns to Ohio Valley Conference action on Saturday as it travels to UT Martin.
