The Stunts That Powered Mercer’s Dominant 2024 Defense
The Mercer Bears didn’t just show up on defense in 2024. They flat-out took over many times. Topping the FCS in sacks, pressures, and tackles for loss, this group made life miserable for offenses most weeks. The numbers tell one story, but the tape tells a better one. Mercer’s defensive front played with relentless energy, and they made their living on movement. This wasn’t a group that just lined up and played static. These guys could stunt, and they did it with violence, discipline, and intent. In this article, we’re breaking down some of our favorite stunts from the Bears front this past season.
3rd & 5 | 2nd Qtr | 12:50 | 14-10 ETSU
Our first example shows the Bears in an even front with a linebacker walked up over the center. To the right side from the end zone view, Mercer runs a Jam stunt. The 5-tech drives hard inside, picking/ crushing the guard. This sets up the 3-tech, who wraps outside to the C-gap. The end creates immediate chaos, flushing the quarterback to the edge of the pocket. Right there waiting is the looping 3-tech, who delivers the hit. The ball flutters, and Mercer houses it for six. The key to the whole thing is the 3-tech’s discipline. He threatens his initial gap just long enough to hold the guard inside, then bends outside to finish. Textbook execution.
1st & 10 | 3rd Qtr | 13:26 | 24-7 NDSU
Against North Dakota State, Mercer dials up a Pop and Jam stunt. We'll zero in on the Pop side to the left. Pop is the opposite of Jam. This time, the 3-tech is the picker, working to crush the offensive tackle while the end wraps inside across the guard’s face into the A gap. One of the built-in bonuses of this stunt is that the pick man often has a clean lane to ricochet off the block and make a play. That’s exactly what happens here. The 3-tech sets the pick, then bounces back inside and finishes the play with a sack. It's dirty work up front with a clean payoff.