Riddle has 3 TDs, leads Mercer to 30-24 win over Samford

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Freshman Robert Riddle threw for 316 yards and one score and ran for two more touchdowns as Mercer opened Southern Conference play by holding off Samford 30-24 on Saturday afternoon. Cole Fisher booted three field goals, including a 33-yarder to end the first half, to provide the needed cushion for the victory. He hit from the 39-yards out and added a 41-yarder with 4:37 left in the game for a 30-21 lead. Riddle found Stephen Houzah in stride for a 73-yard scoring strike to take a 27-14 lead in the fourth. Mercer (2-1, 1-0) was thrashed by Memphis 66-14 in the season opener, then beat Jacksonville 45-3 before snapping an eight-game losing streak to the Bulldogs. Mercer last beat Samford in 1932. Tee Mitchell rushed for 103 yards and Marquise Irvin grabbed six tosses for 71 yards.