Game Details
Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
Time: 2:30 PM CT / 12:30 PM PT
Location: Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL
Broadcast: ESPN (FCS Kickoff Classic)
Series History: First-ever meeting
Mercer Bears
2024 Record: 10–3 (SoCon runner-up, FCS quarterfinalist)
Head Coach: Drew Cronic (6th year)
Offensive Identity: Balanced, tempo-driven attack
Key Players:
QB Carter Peevy: Veteran dual-threat with 6,000+ career yards
WR Devron Harper: All-American candidate, 1,200+ yards in 2024
RB Ty James: Explosive back with 5.9 YPC
Defense: Fast, physical unit led by LB Ken Standley and DB Lance Wise
X-Factor: Familiarity with the Cramton Bowl — Mercer opened here in 2023 with a dominant win
UC Davis Aggies
2024 Record: 9–4 (Big Sky contender, FCS quarterfinalist)
Head Coach: Tim Plough (2nd year)
Offensive Identity: Pro-style with elite line play and deep QB room
Key Players:
QB Caden Pinnick: Won the starting job after a strong camp battle
RB Jordan Fisher: Physical runner with breakout potential
OL Ernesto Nava & Eli Simonson: Preseason All-Conference anchors
Defense: Rebuilt front seven with Ivy League transfers Jacob Psyk (Harvard) and Derrell Porter (Dartmouth)
X-Factor: Travel test — first California school to play in the FCS Kickoff
Matchup Insights
| Category | Mercer Bears | UC Davis Aggies |
| 2024 Record | 10–3 | 9–4 |
| Returning Starters | 14 | 16 |
| Turnover Margin (2024) | +6 | +3 |
| Playoff Finish | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals |
| Preseason Rank | #8 FCS | #11 FCS |
Both teams are coming off historic playoff runs and enter 2025 with top-15 rankings
UC Davis boasts one of the deepest offensive lines in the FCS
Mercer’s explosive skill players will test the Aggies’ rebuilt defense
Expect a tight, physical battle with playoff intensity. UC Davis’s trench dominance and balanced attack could give them the edge late, but Mercer’s playmakers will keep it close throughout.
