Western Carolina beats Mercer 35-21

MACON, Ga. -- Troy Mitchell connected with Spearman Robinson on all three of his touchdown passes, and Western Carolina beat Mercer 35-21 on Saturday. Mitchell's third touchdown pass -- a 42-yarder to Robinson -- gave the Catamounts (5-2, 3-0 Southern Conference) a 35-13 lead with 12:07 left in the game. Mitchell finished 13 of 18 for 194 yards and Robinson had seven catches for 108 yards. Early in the first quarter, defensive back Jaleel Lorquet scooped up Alex Lakes ' fumble and returned it 10 yards to the end zone to put WCU in front. Mitchell and Robinson extended the lead to 14-0 with a 33-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing possession and the Catamounts never trailed. Lakes ran 21 times for 125 yards and touchdown for Mercer (5-3, 1-3). The Bears closed within 21-13 on Will Roper 's 44-yard field goal early in the third quarter, but got no closer.