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Post by gwebb1994 on Nov 19, 2023 13:59:56 GMT -5
The opponent we thought in the venue we didn’t want. Mercer bid high enough on their first playoff trip. You know who didn’t, and whiffed again this year. Recruits pay attention, and opposing coaches recruiting against you do as well.
We know how good Devron Harper is, but this has defensive battle written all over it, both defenses in the top 40 nationally.
They are 8-3, coming in off a bye (rust, advantage GW), last game was 7 point home win over Samford team that basically knocked UT-Martin off the bubble yesterday. Their best win was at WCU.
Protect the ball on offense and get off the field on 3rd down on defense. They’ve won four straight and we’ve won five straight. No reason to think we can’t win and advance to play #1.
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Post by dawgjowls on Nov 20, 2023 3:32:13 GMT -5
We owe them a beat-down. Probably won't get that, but we can most definitely win this game. Last year's home loss was a bit embarrassing.
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Post by dawgjowls on Nov 20, 2023 3:34:28 GMT -5
I'll root for Mercer if they get past us, but neither team should be happy about having to play SDSU in round two.
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Post by fubear on Nov 20, 2023 21:11:20 GMT -5
Hello Runnin' Bulldogs Football Fans! A brief (kinda) intro...FUBeAR is an internet persona, but FUBeAR has an IRL Alter Ego who is a BIG Mercer Bears Fan...because FUBeAR Jr. played at Mercer. He was one of the Day1's who started up the program with Coach Bobby Lamb in the 2012 practice year. FUBeAR (who for some goofy reason always, almost always, writes in 3rd person) started and led the Players' Families Group for Mercer and just had a BANG UP TIME for the 4 years FUBeAR Jr. was playing OL for the Bears. Loved the year in the PFL and then the move to the SoCon. Stayed in love with Mercer Football and Mercer University. BTW - FUBeAR is also a BIG Furman Fan because FUBeAR played for Furman and Coached there, as a GA for 1.5 years, under Coach Dick Sheridan. Coach Steve Patton of G-W Runnin' Bulldog fame was a GA during FUBeAR's FR year at FU and Bobby Lamb was a True FR QB during FUBeAR's R-SR year at FU. Finally, FUBeAR used to have a job that involved speaking to Collegiate Student Athletes and he had the pleasure and privilege of speaking at Gardner-Web on 1 occasion - around 2010 or so. Spoke from the pulpit of the Dover Memorial Chapel. Hope there was no exorcism of the building required after FUBeAR's session. FUBeAR really enjoyed his time on campus there and his stay at the AmericInn. Good people all around. So -- lots of familiarity with Gardner-Webb and excited for this week.... Rumor is we have a big rumble coming up on Saturday in Maconga (Macon, GA... but saying Ma-CON-ga is more fun and sounds more exotic and dangerous). Mercer Bears fans are SO EXCITED to be in the Playoffs. FUBeAR knows our Teams scrapped last year, but he doesn't know if y'all know how it's been LITERALLY inches that have kept Mercer out of the Playoffs the past 2 Seasons. Very, very grateful to be selected this year and FUBeAR would have been shocked if Mercer did not get the home game. President Bill Underwood is a FANTASTIC University President and a FANATIC supporter of Mercer Football. He wanted the game for the school AND for Macon. FUBeAR hopes Macon and surrounds will show up! We all know how attendance goes in most places on T-Giving Saturday. Mercer will make every effort to get them in the building. Hope it works. Any of y'all comin'? If you do, come early and enjoy. Mercer does a nice job with the whole Game Day experience... Mercer Gameday...and the Stadium is nice -> Five Star StadiumIf you have any questions about Macon, Five Star Stadium, Mercer Football, or whatever, FUBeAR will try to shoot back over here and answer them... Also - a couple of suggestions for websites you might want to have a glance at this week... MU Bear Down - A Message Board for Mercer Athletics. It's not very active, but on occasion, people with post about Football or Hoops Any Given Saturday - National FCS Message Board - very active - FUBeAR tagged the thread for the G-W @ Mercer game, but there is a lot more there - People can get pretty 'smacky' on there sometimes, but its all in good fun. Good luck and Safe Travels if you're heading south this weekend! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! |
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Post by dawgjowls on Nov 21, 2023 3:07:38 GMT -5
Welcome, FUBEaR, and thanks for the friendly post. Some of us surely recognize your handle from AGS.
Hoping for a good game this Saturday. Coach Lamb has the team playing better here at season's end, so maybe (fingers crossed!) both teams will put in a solid showing, unlike last year (and on our home turf, too!).
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Post by gwebb1994 on Nov 21, 2023 8:24:41 GMT -5
Welcome indeed. Give us the breakdown of your squad, minus Devron Harper, we all know what he can do.
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Post by gwujake08 on Nov 21, 2023 8:24:55 GMT -5
I went back and listened to my season preview with Coach Lamb. He said his goal this year was to host a home playoff game. II will ask his thoughts on having to travel at today's presser
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Post by fubear on Nov 21, 2023 9:57:45 GMT -5
Welcome indeed. Give us the breakdown of your squad, minus Devron Harper, we all know what he can do. Very experienced D that is tough to beat. Strong up front and opportunistic in the back. Lost D Captain and leading tackler for season about 4 or 5 games ago and D never missed a beat. Very much a TEAM D. No real ‘stars,’ and no real weaknesses. Only Ole Miss has really ‘beaten’ Mercer’s D. * 3 of Furman’s TD’s came on very short fields due to turnovers or late game 4th down/gotta catch-up * Chatt kicked 5 FG’s on ‘drives’ that avg’d < 34 yards…due to turnovers, etc. * WCU scored mostly late vs. semi-prevent D as Mercer was leading by 3 scores AND 4 of their 6 scoring drives avg’d < 46 yards Offense has been developing all season. Started slow. New QB and many new Players upfront including True FR TE’s who are critical blockers in Mercer’s O’s run schemes. Chatt game was a low point, but the O seemed to make some schematic changes after that game and Mercer has avg’d > 35 PPG since. Recently, some younger Players have been stepping up on O and Teams are realizing they can’t just focus on stopping James, Harper, and RB Wooten. QB Peevy can run, but he doesn’t that much until you don’t expect him to…and then he goes 75 yards for a TD against an SEC Defense. These are the Rebel Starters, btw. His passing has been a little inconsistent early, but as he’s become more comfortable, he’s staring to excel. He can throw it exceptionally well when he plays loosely and confidently, as he has been in the 2nd half of the season. FUBeAR is kinda partial to Mr. Peevy as his Dad played OL @ FU also. Special Teams / Kicking game have, at times, been an adventure, but those issues seem to be mostly ironed out now and y’all know what Harper can do in the Return game. They do play HARD and they enjoy playing the game and playing together. It should be a fun contest. Finally got to see some G-W video lat night. Freshman QB reminds FUBeAR of former WCU All-American QB, Tyrie Adams. He’s a problem! Only saw a bit. Will provide the complete FUBeAR video breakdown and game plan to Mercer’s Coaching Staff before Friday (JK) That’s it. All else is inside, proprietary knowledge and you’ll need FUBeAR’s Venmo info before you get that. |
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Post by gwebb1994 on Nov 21, 2023 10:09:24 GMT -5
I went back and listened to my season preview with Coach Lamb. He said his goal this year was to host a home playoff game. II will ask his thoughts on having to travel at today's presser Based on what I see of Mercer and their commitment to facilities and fan experience, they likely crushed GW’s bid attempt easily. |
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Post by gwujake08 on Nov 21, 2023 10:30:04 GMT -5
“Honestly, I wish we were hosting, but that’s beyond my control,” head coach Tre Lamb said. “We have won 10 out of our last 11 home games and undefeated this year. Our fans deserve a lot of credit for that. But it is what it is and we are going to try and go get one on the road.”
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Post by gwebb1994 on Nov 21, 2023 10:35:39 GMT -5
“Honestly, I wish we were hosting, but that’s beyond my control,” head coach Tre Lamb said. “We have won 10 out of our last 11 home games and undefeated this year. Our fans deserve a lot of credit for that. But it is what it is and we are going to try and go get one on the road.” I could go on another rant about Downs and Goodrich here, but I’ll pass this time. |
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Post by gwujake08 on Nov 21, 2023 10:43:15 GMT -5
I think both of them put an emphasis on athletics, but I could point to several changes over the last couple of years that make me believe money is pretty tight, so I'm not mad that we have to travel.
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Post by gwebb1994 on Nov 21, 2023 16:51:42 GMT -5
I think both of them put an emphasis on athletics, but I could point to several changes over the last couple of years that make me believe money is pretty tight, so I'm not mad that we have to travel. Ask any faculty or staff member about budgeting, but be prepared to talk for an hour. They aren’t happy. |
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Post by fubear on Nov 21, 2023 19:00:54 GMT -5
The SoCon released Post-Season recognition today. As y'all (or one of y'all, at least) asked for a 'breakdown' of the Mercer Team, FUBeAR thought he should 'call out' for y'all those 9 that received individual accolades...
2023 Coaches All-Southern Conference Football Team
Coaches First Team Offense
WR #13 Ty James, Sr., Mercer
Coaches First Team Defense
DL #11 Solomon Zubairu, Sr., Mercer
LB #15 Ken Standley, Sr., Mercer
DB #0 Lance Wise Jr., Gr., Mercer
Coaches First Team Special Teams
RS #1 Devron Harper, Sr., Mercer
Coaches Second Team Offense
OL #73 John Thomas, Gr., Mercer
WR #1 Devron Harper, Sr., Mercer
Coaches Second Team Defense
LB #3 Isaac Dowling, Sr., Mercer (Injured, out for season; will not play against Gardner-Webb)
Coaches All-Freshman Offense
WR #21 Brayden Smith, Mercer
Coaches All-Freshman Defense
DL #90 Brayden Manley, Mercer
2023 Southern Conference Sports Media Association All-Southern Conference Football Team
SCSMA First Team Offense
WR #13 Ty James, Sr., Mercer
SCSMA First Team Defense
DL #11 Solomon Zubairu, Sr., Mercer
LB #15 Ken Standley, Sr., Mercer
DB #0 Lance Wise, Sr., Mercer
SCSMA First Team Special Teams
RS #1 Devron Harper, Sr., Mercer
SCSMA Second Team Offense
OL #73 John Thomas, Gr., Mercer
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Post by gwebb1994 on Nov 25, 2023 18:29:39 GMT -5
A great gritty effort by our squad today in a game that without a doubt we win if we hosted in Spangler Stadium.
Thank you Dr. Downs, for your continued gutless “leadership” and your continued destruction of the Gardner-Webb we knew and loved from the inside out. You sir are nothing more than a gutless woke liberal pinhead, and have shown over and over through your reign your complete lack of knowledge of how a small liberal arts private school operates.
Tre Lamb, THANK YOU for making GW football fun again for the past few years despite the lack of support from the powers that be. Take your nice young family and cash in elsewhere and become financially stable for good as a result of your hard work and effort, and best wishes for continued success wherever you land.
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