What Is 2018 Mercer Bears football team

Overview

The 2018 Mercer Bears football team represented Mercer University during the 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing in the non-scholarship Pioneer Football League (PFL), the Bears were led by head coach Mike Jacobs in his second year at the helm.

The team showed improvement over the previous season, posting a winning non-conference record and displaying resilience in league play. Despite falling short of a winning season, the Bears demonstrated growth on both offense and defense.

• Five Star Stadium: All home games were played at Five Star Stadium in Macon, Georgia, which has a seating capacity of 10,200 and features a synthetic turf field.
• Overall record: The team finished with a 5–6 overall record, a slight improvement from their 3–8 mark in 2017 under the same head coach.
• Conference performance: In Pioneer Football League play, Mercer went 3–5, placing in the lower half of the nine-team league standings.
• Key victory: A 24–10 win over Campbell on October 20 was one of the team’s most dominant performances, showcasing defensive strength.
• Season opener: The Bears opened the season with a 24–17 loss to Georgia State, an FBS program, indicating their competitive level against higher-division teams.

Season Performance Breakdown

The 2018 campaign featured a balanced mix of close contests and decisive outcomes, with several games decided by one possession. Mercer faced a challenging schedule that included both FBS and strong FCS opponents.

• September games: Played three non-conference games in September, finishing 2–1 with wins over Shorter and Campbell and a loss to Georgia State.
• October struggles: Went 1–3 in October, including narrow losses to San Diego (21–20) and Davidson (27–24), highlighting their difficulty in closing tight games.
• November outcomes: Closed the season 2–1 in November, defeating Marist and Dayton while losing to Stetson in their final game.
• Offensive stats: Averaged 22.7 points per game, with quarterback Kameron Mims throwing for 1,852 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season.
• Defensive stats: Allowed 26.5 points per game; linebacker Jordan Johnson led the team with 87 total tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss.
• Special teams: Kicker Tyler Bass, who later played in the NFL, converted 10 of 14 field goal attempts and all 21 extra point tries.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2018 Mercer Bears compared to select PFL peers in key statistical categories:

The table shows Mercer was middle-of-the-pack in scoring and defense within the PFL. While they outperformed Stetson in points allowed, they trailed Dayton and San Diego in overall consistency and conference success. The Bears’ season reflected incremental progress under their developing coaching staff.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was a transitional year for Mercer football, building toward future competitiveness in the PFL. It provided valuable experience for younger players and laid groundwork for program stability.

• Player development: Several underclassmen gained starting experience, including future team leaders on both sides of the ball.
• Coaching continuity: Mike Jacobs’ second season helped solidify the team’s identity and recruiting pipeline.
• Competitive exposure: Games against FBS teams like Georgia State raised the program’s visibility and testing level.
• Recruiting momentum: Solid performances in close losses kept interest high among prospective student-athletes.
• Stadium advantage: Playing at Five Star Stadium provided a consistent, modern home-field environment.
• League context: Mercer remained competitive in a PFL that emphasizes academic and athletic balance in non-scholarship football.

Though the 2018 Mercer Bears did not reach postseason play, the season was a step forward in the program’s long-term growth. With improved depth and experience, the foundation was set for stronger performances in subsequent years.