Mercer tops Stetson 41-14 in landmark win

Published Nov. 23, 2013 10:00 p.m. ET

foxsports

John Russ had a passing touchdown, rushing score and receiving TD as Mercer topped Stetson 41-14 Saturday to become the first start-up program in NCAA Division I history to earn double-digit wins.

Mercer (10-2, 6-2 Pioneer Football League) fell behind 7-3 on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Tentler to Chris Crawford early in the second quarter. But the Bears responded as JeTarii Donald had a 37-yard touchdown run to take a 10-7 lead and Mercer went up 17-7 on a 32-yard halfback pass from Josh Jones to Russ.

Stetson (2-9, 1-7) scored with 11 seconds left in the half on a 3-yard pass from Tentler to Nick LaSala but that was the last score the Hatters produced.

Mercer outscored Stetson 24-0 in the second half, highlighted by a 49-yard touchdown pass from Russ to Donald and a 52-yard scoring run by Russ.

Mercer finished the season 8-0 at home.