Ole Miss Week 1 Opponent Preview: Mercer Bears

Our 2023 college football preview begins this week with the Rebels' week one matchup.

OXFORD, Miss. -- The Ole Miss Rebels begin their 2023 campaign with a non-conference matchup at home versus the Mercer Bears in Week 1 of the college football season. Similarly to Ole Miss, Mercer was in the midst of a quarterback competition after senior signal caller Fred Payton declared for the 2023 NFL Draft in December. 

According to their official team website, Mercer is entering the fall with four quarterbacks on its roster including redshirt freshman Daniel Schoch, freshman Drew Moore, and redshirt sophomores Carter Peevy and Hess Horne. Peevy took the role at quarterback for the Bears in their Week 0 win over North Alabama.

The last time Ole Miss and Mercer met was in 1911, and the Rebels crushed the Bears on the road 34-0. The two programs have not met since. The Rebels and Bears will kick off at 1 p.m. CT on Sept. 2 in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Here is an overview of what Mercer will bring to Oxford.

Mercer Bears

2023 record: 1-0

Head coach: Drew Cronic (Fourth season)

Cronic has an overall record of 20-13 in his time with Mercer.

Offensive Leaders

Passing: Carter Peevy

Week 0: 12-for-17 passing, 115 yards, 1 TD

Rushing: 10 carries, 31 yards

Rushing: Micah Bell

Week 0: 20 carries, 73 yards

Receiving: Ty James (RS Junior)

Week 0: 4 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD

Returning Defensive Leaders

Tackles: Linebacker Isaac Dowling (Junior)

2022 stats: 100 tackles, nine TFLs, one sack, two interceptions, three passes defended, one forced fumble

Interceptions: Safety Juwan Johnson (Sophomore), cornerback TJ Moore (Junior), cornerback Cam Sims (RS Junior), safety Lance Wise (Senior), linebacker Isaac Dowling (Junior),

2022 stats: Each player led Mercer with two interceptions

Sacks: Carson Griffin (Junior)

2022 stats: 4.5 sacks, 14 tackles, 2.5 TFLs 

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