Brayden Smith's touchdown run enough for Mercer in 10-3 win over Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- , Brayden Smith scored on a 9-yard end-around in the second quarter for the game's only touchdown and Mercer beat Chattanooga 10-3 on Saturday in a Southern Conference opener for both teams. Smith's score completed an 11-play, 82-yard drive. A 32-yard Jude Kelley field goal cut the lead to 7-3 at halftime but the only points in the second half came on Reice Griffith 's 35-yard field goal with 5:30 remaining. Griffith's field goal was set up by Myles Redding 's diving interception of a tipped pass. After Mercer's field goal, Chase Artopoeus completed a 40-yard pass to Sam Phillips to the Mercer 32-yard line, but the Mocs turned the ball over on downs at the Bears' 26 with 2:45 left. The Mocs got the ball back with less than a minute to go but gained little. The Bears (3-0) are ranked 24th in the FCS coaches poll, while the Mocs (0-3) are ranked 16th.