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Mercer’s defense on historic pace and ‘Moore’ records could fall

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Mercer cornerback TJ Moore's five interceptions lead FCS football through six weeks.

The Mercer defense is off to a historic pace through the first half of the 2024 football campaign. The nation’s seventh-ranked team in FCS football is taking names week-to-week.

And they are led by a senior team captain and lethal turnover-maker.

3rd Down efficiency

Part of the defense’s formula revolves around an efficient yet diverse third down package.

Complex?

Maybe.

Tough to get a first down on?

Absolutely.

Teams are converting on just 17.7 percent of third down opportunities.

Led by the nation’s leader in interceptions (through 10-12-24), cornerback TJ Moore, the Bears disrupt the quarterback at a high rate (20 sacks).

The team shows eight defenders at the line of scrimmage on third downs, yet drops back into a form of zone coverage (3rd and 4, 1st QTR/5:37, Princeton ’24). Their safeties are competent when it comes to tackling quick passes in front of them.

Moore to come?

But it’s Moore (five interceptions) who has produced a number of the timely plays.

Some of his attention to detail can be exposed technically when it comes to establishing depth in three-deep zone coverage. In fact, he failed to get the requisite depth on a corner route versus Princeton near the end of the first quarter (1st QTR/3:57).

Retrospectively, he picked off an under thrown post pattern by the Tigers quarterback in that same contest. And, in the third quarter, he snagged an overthrown corner route on a switch route concept. On the second interception he maintained the needed depth in his three-deep zone.

Moore flashes short-area burst off the corner as a blitz threat. But that burst is best used when jumping routes. Versus The Citadel, he read the receiver’s body language on an out pattern, broke on the ball and took it to the house (INT-TD, 2nd QTR/0:59, INT-TD, Citadel ’24). The touchdown interception return showed off Moore’s ball skills as he caught the pass away from his frame.

His quick-twitch fibers snapping out of the break impressed on the touchdown return.

Help comes in many forms

While it would be easy to assume that Moore is a one-man show, this is hardly the case.

Safety Myles Redding has been a multi-year starter as well. And a productive one at that.

Mercer safety Myles Redding has already set a new career-high with three interceptions in 2024.

Redding would not be outdone in the Princeton contest. Late in the third quarter, with the Bears up 20-7, the senior safety picked off a Red Zone pass intended for Princeton’s slot receiver. The former Whitefield Academy (Ga.) star receiver/defensive back made an effortless catch to stop the potential scoring opportunity.

On the interception, he opened his hips to the sidelines a step too early and Tigers senior receiver AJ Barber got open. However, the pass from Tigers quarterback Blaine Hipa was thrown behind Barber in the end zone.

Red Men

The Bears have not allowed a Red Zone touchdown pass thus far in 2024. In fact, its Red Zone defense ranks second in FCS play behind only Incarnate Word’s.

Redding’s three interceptions thus far in 2024 now represent a career-high total. In 2023, he had two interceptions and four pass breakups.

Moore –the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week for his three-interception effort versus Princeton- ranks second all-time in school history with nine career picks.

Mercer first-year head coach Mike Jacobs is no stranger to salty defenses. His Lenoir-Rhyne team in 2023 fielded the nation’s ninth-ranked defense in Division II football. The former Ohio State offensive lineman can’t say enough about the development of Moore.

“To watch our seniors play their best football at critical times in games. Those were three huge plays (Moore’s interceptions) for us,” Jacobs said in Mercer’s postgame news conference. “He continues to be a leader on and off the field. I’m really proud of his growth personally…and just really happy for TJ and all the success right now.”

“Today we came out pretty good. We gave up more rushing yards than we expected,” Moore admitted. “They tried to bring themselves back into the game by passing the ball and we stopped ‘em. We did pretty good on defense today.”

In fact, the team captain deferred questions around his three-interception performance back to the team.

“Well, we’re all one team. At the end of the day, the scoreboard reflects all of us,” Moore said humbly after the game.

High Marks

More times than not the Mercer defense has shown up this season.

Mercer ranks Top 10 nationally in seceral statistical categories through six games:

  • Turnovers forced: 19 (T-1st nationally)
  • Sacks: 20 (T-1st nationally)
  • Pass efficiency defense: 82.0 (1st nationally)
  • Scoring defense: 7.6 PPG (1st nationally)
  • Rushing defense: 38.8 YPG (1st nationally)
  • Interceptions: 13 (1st nationally)
  • Total defense: 219.3 YPG (2nd nationally)
  • Red Zone defense: 50% (T-2nd nationally)
  • 3rd Down conversion percentage: 17.7% (2nd nationally)
  • Defensive TDs: 4 (2nd nationally)
  • Opponent first downs: 62 (2nd nationally)
  • Tackles for loss: 46 (6th nationally)
  • Fumble recoveries: 6 (T-9th nationally)

Six different players have interceptions.

21 different players have a tackle for loss.

Five different players have at least one forced fumble.

But it’s Moore who leads the nation in interceptions.

A potential 2024 All-American berth could be on the horizon.

But if Moore sets more records, you can bet the team captain will defer to what matters most for Mercer.

Team.

“If one side of the ball is not doing good, the other side’s gotta pick up,” Moore continued to explain after the victory over Princeton. “If we weren’t doing good, I expect those guys to pick us up. We return the favor for them.”

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