Macon, Ga. – Donnavan Spencer rushed for 78 yards and three touchdowns for Western Carolina, but Mercer used a downhill running attack that chewed up 308 yards as the Bears held possession for over 40 minutes on Saturday afternoon in a 45-28 victory over the Catamounts in Southern Conference action at Five Star Stadium.
 
Now with 20 career rushing scores, Spencer moved into a tie for 11th in school history for career touchdowns on the ground. The Charlotte, N.C., native matched both Melvin Dorsey (1981-83) and Carlton Terry (1987-90) in WCU's career ledgers with 20 rushing TDs.
 
Eight different Bears recorded rushes on Saturday with Nakendrick Clark leading the way with 92 yards on 23 rushes including two touchdowns. Fred Davis carried the ball 13 times for 46 yards and a pair of scores. Mercer QB Carter Peevy threw for 118 yards and a touchdown on 10-of-22 passing, adding a rushing score in the win.
 
Mercer (2-5, 2-2 SoCon) jumped out to a 21-0 advantage midway through the second quarter on Saturday. Freshman Tyree Nelson provided the first spark for the Catamounts on the ensuing kickoff following the Bears' third score, cutting up the right sideline for a 59-yard kickoff return to set the Catamounts up with their best field position of the day. WCU QB Ryan Glover completed two passes before capping the short drive with a one-yard touchdown rush to make it 21-7.
 
After a three-and-out forced by the WCU defense, Quintin Talley partially blocked the Mercer punt giving the Catamounts another short field with Spencer rushing in for the first of his three scores to make it 21-14 in the final five minutes of the first half.
 
Unfortunately, it was as close as the Catamounts would get as Mercer capped the first half with a long scoring drive to lead 28-14 at halftime and scored on the opening possession of the second half to pull ahead 35-14. WCU twice pulled back to within two scores at 35-21 and 42-28, but would get no closer in suffering the road defeat.
 
Glover finished 16-of-30 with an interception, throwing for 87 yards. He added 51 yards rushing and a score on the ground. Calvin Jones caught five passes for 45 yards to lead the Catamount receivers.
 
Ty Harris and Roman Johnson led three Catamount defenders with double-digit tackles with 11 stops apiece. Harris posted his 14th career double-digit tackle performance while Johnson finished with his career-high. Dorian Davis added a career-best 10 stops with Trevor Childers just missing double-figures with nine tackles. Talley blocked a punt on special teams for the Catamounts.
 
Western Carolina (1-7, 1-4 SoCon) remains on the road next Saturday, March 27, traveling to Johnson City, Tenn., for the mountain-rivalry Blue Ridge Border Battle against ETSU (2-1, 2-1 SoCon). Kickoff in the Ingles SoCon Game of the Week is set for 1 p.m., with air time on the Catamount Sports Network at Noon.