Payton, James lead Mercer over The Citadel 17-0
MACON, Ga. (AP) — Fred Payton and Ty James connected for two touchdowns, and Mercer beat The Citadel 17-0. Payton threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to James early in the third quarter and a 63-yarder eight minutes later in the Southern Conference opener for Mercer (2-1, 1-0). Payton was 16-of-24 passing for 224 yards. James finished with seven catches for 138 yards receiving. Austin Douglas added 81 yards on the ground on 11 carries. The Citadel (1-2, 1-1) was held to 151 yards of offense. Peyton Derrick had just 59 yards on 7-of-16 passing. It was the Bears’ third-straight win in the series.