The Aporia · Simon Zeidan's last-second field goal lifts Mercer to 17-14 win over Western Carolina

Simon Zeidan's last-second field goal lifts Mercer to 17-14 win over Western Carolina

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The Associated Press. (2026, October 11). Simon Zeidan's last-second field goal lifts Mercer to 17-14 win over Western Carolina. Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/simon-zeidan-s-last-second-field-goal-lifts-mercer-to-17-14-win-over-western-carolina/article_affbfcad-21a3-52ed-946f-216ca7ca11b2.html

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Quick Summary

In a rain-soaked game, Mercer edged out Western Carolina with a last-second field goal to win 17-14. The match was marked by strong defensive play despite wet conditions, leading to a low-scoring affair compared to previous years' high-scoring games between the two teams. JP Pickles threw for 132 yards and ran for another 71, while Simon Zeidan’s game-winning kick from 42 yards out sealed the victory for Mercer in their Southern Conference matchup on Saturday.

Written by AI on 2026-10-11, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

On Saturday, Mercer beat Western Carolina 17-14 in a wet match due to Hurricane Isaias. The game was tied at 14 until JP Pickles, Mercer's quarterback, led them on a last-minute drive that ended with Simon Zeidan kicking the winning field goal from 42 yards out as time expired. Despite the rain, both teams combined for 35 points, maintaining their trend of high-scoring games in previous years. This win improves Mercer’s record to 5-2, while Western Carolina falls to 3-4. Upcoming, Mercer faces Samford next Saturday, and Western Carolina will play Chattanooga on October 24th.

Written for “Mercer Wins Football Game” on 2026-11-01, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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The Associated Press

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MACON, Ga. (AP) — JP Pickles threw two touchdown passes and led Mercer on a last-minute drive that resulted in Simon Zeidan’s game-winning field goal in the Bears’ 17-14 victory over Western Carolina on Saturday. asserted

that → throw → Saturday

In a soggy matchup between two otherwise high-powered offenses, Stats Perform No. 20 Mercer (5-2, 2-1 Southern Conference) prevailed in conditions that saw Hurricane Isaias dump more than two inches of rain in the Macon-Bibb County area. asserted

Isaias → power → area

The score was tied at 7 in the fourth quarter before Zahmari Palode-Gary took a short pass over the middle from Pickles and was untouched as he took it the last 55 yards for a go-ahead score. asserted

he → tie → score

The Catamounts (3-4, 1-2) soon tied it at 14 when wide receiver Jai Boyd hit quarterback Lex Thomas for a 5-yard touchdown on a double-reverse pass. asserted

Boyd → tie → pass

The touchdown left a minute and a half on the clock and Pickles led the Bears on a 46-yard drive to Zeidan’s winning 42-yard kick on the final play. asserted

Pickles → leave → play

Pickles passed for 132 yards and added 71 yards rushing. asserted

Pickles → pass → yards

Devon Caldwell also had 71 yards rushing for the Bears. asserted

Caldwell → have → Bears

Thomas threw for one touchdown and had 215 passing yards for the Catamounts. asserted

Thomas → throw → Catamounts

The series had produced plenty of offense in recent games, with the teams combining for 83 points in 2023, 78 points in 2024 and 96 points in 2025 when Mercer won 49-47. Up next Mercer: at Samford next Saturday. Western Carolina: vs. Chattanooga on Oct. 24. —- asserted

Mercer → produce → Oct.

Simon Zeidan's last-second field goal lifts Mercer to 17-14 win over Western Carolina

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