Bennifield with 5 TDs, Chattanooga rolls past Mercer 52-31

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:29 p.m. ET

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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) Alejandro Bennifield threw four touchdown passes in the first half and ran for another score and Chattanooga rolled to a 52-31 victory over Mercer on Saturday.

The Mocs (6-0, 4-0 Southern Conference) are off to their best start since 1968.

Derrick Craine ran for 160 yards on 17 carries, including a 54-yard score early in the second quarter. Bennifield was 23 for 32 passing for 258 yards, and connected with four receivers for TDs. Xavier Borishade and C.J. Board each had seven receptions with a touchdown catch.

Bennifield ran for a 21-yard TD, and Montrell Pardue scored on a 29-yard interception return to give the Mocs a 52-10 lead midway through the third quarter.

John Russ led Mercer (2-3, 1-2) with 222 yards passing, including an 83-yard scoring throw to Marquise Irvin. Russ added a 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.