The FCS Daily Dose is a blog-style article series featuring an assortment of news, rumblings, quick hitters, and commentary on various topics.
A new Daily Dose will be published multiple times a week.
Mercer’s Defense Out To A Dominant Start
Mercer is out to a 3-0 start, knocking off No. 14 Chattanooga last week. The Bears are now ranked No. 14 in this week’s media poll.
The defense has dominated so far, putting up absurd statistics. Mercer has defeated Presbyterian 63-10, Bethune-Cookman 31-2, and Chattanooga 10-3, giving the defense a scoring average of five points per game. The first two opponents were overmatched, but Chattanooga is supposed to have one of the best offenses in the SoCon.
The rushing defense numbers get even sillier. Mercer is allowing 0.5 rushing yards per attempt and 13.7 yards per game.
Familiar names are leading the unit. Isaac Dowling has 17 tackles and 1.5 TFLs, while Ken Standley has totaled 14 stops and 3.5 TFLs.
SIU Starting QB DJ Williams Sidelined With Hand Injury
No. 7 Southern Illinois will be without its starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. DJ Williams is having surgery on his right hand.
The news hit after Williams led SIU to a 35-28 win over No. 12 UIW. Williams, a transfer from Murray State, had a career day, going 19/27 passing for 301 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 79 yards and a score.
Hunter Simmons takes over as the starting quarterback. He played in five games last year as Nic Baker’s backup.
SIU takes on another ranked opponent this weekend, hosting No. 21 SEMO in the “War for the Wheel.”
3 Ranked Matchups This Week
There are three games this week between ranked opponents:
No. 24 WCU at No. 9 Montana
No. 21 SEMO at No. 7 SIU
No. 4 Idaho at No. 19 ACU
Other notable games include:
Towson at No. 2 NDSU
ETSU at Elon
Furman at No. 12 William & Mary
No. 1 SDSU at Southeastern Louisiana
Eastern Illinois at No. 17 Illinois State
Northern Arizona at No. 15 UIW
Past Daily Doses
Toyota Stadium, Home Of The FCS Championship, To Get A $182M Renovation … READ MORE
Portland State, South Dakota Give Statements/Thoughts On Game Cancellation … READ MORE
Pac-12 Rebuild Could Have Massive Domino Effect For Top-Tier FCS Teams … READ MORE
