Mercer holds on for 27-20 OT win over Furman

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Alex Lakes rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown and John Russ threw for 88 yards and two touchdowns as Mercer held on to beat Furman 27-20 in overtime on Saturday. Lakes scored from the 2 in the extra period and Zach Jackson intercepted P. J. Blazejowski's pass on Furman's first play in overtime to seal the win. Trailing 20-14 with 43 seconds left in regulation, Furman's Kealand Dirks ran in from the 2 to tie the game. Furman was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct on the scoring play and Jon Croft Hollingsworth missed the 25-yard point after attempt to force overtime. Tee Mitchell rushed for 112 yards and Avery Ward grabbed six passes for 60 yards and two scores for Mercer (5-5, 2-4 Southern Conference). Reese Hannon threw for 133 yards and two touchdowns and Andrej Suttles had 8 catches for 101 yards for Furman (4-6, 2-4).