Mercer clinches share of SoCon football title, FCS playoff spot

The Mercer football team's 34-0 win over VMI on Saturday means the Bears have clinched a share of the Southern Conference title after East Tennessee State beat Western Carolina 24-21 earlier on Saturday.

This marks the Bears' first-ever conference title, and they can win the championship outright with a victory over Furman in two weeks. With the share of the conference title, Mercer clinched an automatic bid into the FCS playoffs.

Mercer improved to 8-1 overall and 6-1 in the conference with its win on Saturday. Western Carolina, East Tennessee State and Chattanooga all have two losses in the conference, and Mercer beat all three of those teams.

The Bears step out of conference play this week for a trip to Alabama. Then they wrap up the regular season on Nov. 23 at home against Furman.