Mercer rallies past The Citadel 28-19 with four second-half touchdowns

Mercer University overcame a 10-0 halftime deficit to defeat The Citadel 28-19 on Saturday, Live 5 WCSC reported. The Citadel had built its lead on a 40-yard run and a 37-yard field goal in the first half.

JP Pickles was the key player for Mercer, throwing three touchdown passes and running for another all in the second half, according to the Associated Press. His completions included a 9-yard pass to Devon Caldwell, an 80-yard touchdown to Brayden Smith, and a 24-yard pass to Trayvion Solomon.

Pickles completed 17 of 20 passes for 234 yards and rushed for 56 yards, leading Mercer (7-2, 4-1 Southern Conference) to its fifth consecutive win. Brayden Smith was the leading receiver with five catches for 113 yards.

The Citadel (2-7, 0-5 Southern Conference) managed a field goal in the fourth quarter but could not overcome Mercer's scoring surge. Nick Billoups completed 12 of 17 passes for 143 yards for The Citadel.

Mercer has now won seven straight games against The Citadel, a rivalry dating back to 1906, and leads the series 12-11-1.