MACON, Ga. — For the first time in program history, the Mercer Bears are heading to the playoffs.
The news became official with the release of the 2023 FCS playoff bracket on Sunday, which has Mercer playing Gardner-Webb on Saturday, November 25, at 3 p.m. in Macon.
Saturday's matchup is a familiar one for the Bears. In 2022, Mercer beat Gardner-Webb 45-14. The winner of Saturday's game will face #1 South Dakota State the following week.
The playoff berth is a well-deserved honor for head coach Drew Cronic’s team that finished the 2023 regular season at an 8-3 mark, good for the most Division I wins in program history.
"If we don't get in, it's crazy," Cronic said on Monday. "I'll say, well, we were a hot team. We've won the last four. We beat a top-ten team in the country on the road. I think we've got one of the best defenses in the country and an offense that's peaking at the right time."
Mercer’s resume is highlighted by a road win over the then No. 10 Western Carolina on October 28, but the Bears also received some much-appreciated help from other Southern Conference teams.
On the final day of the regular season, Wofford (2-9) handed conference champion Furman (9-2) its first conference loss of the year, 19-13. Meanwhile, VMI (5-6) also topped Western Carolina (7-4), 27-24.
The surprising results opened the door for Mercer to move into a tie with Chattanooga (7-4) for second place in the SoCon.
The Bears finished the regular season ranked 21st in the StatsPerform FCS Top 25 poll, matching the highest ranking of the season for the Bears.
Stay tuned to 13WMAZ for the latest updates, reactions and news regarding Mercer football’s first-ever playoff appearance.