1. Mercer didn’t give up — and it showed
A final score of 56-0 usually suggests that one team gave up over the course of the contest. However, for an FCS team facing Alabama, all that counts is how you finish. The Bears were throwing big hits, forcing turnovers, and fighting for extra yards until the clock expired. Not only was this encouraging for the coaches and players, it brought great respect to the program itself.
One of the most obvious signs of their resiliency throughout the contest was their pursuit to the football. A Mercer defender could be seen putting his body on the line on each and every possession, even to the point of forcing turnovers on two different occasions.
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It’s never easy to venture into the territory of any FBS program as an FCS school, let alone Alabama. However, the Bears handled it well, not on the scoreboard but on the field. Their effort today can’t be taken away, and their success, albeit few and far between, should propel them to stronger showings within their conference.