Mercer University football returned to the field Saturday with a big win, remaining undefeated since the program resumed this season after a 71 year absence.

Mercer trounced Warner University 61-0 at home in Macon. The central Florida school, also a new football program, only totaled 154 yards and has yet to score a touchdown this season.

Mercer rushed 402 yards in what head coach Bobby Lamb said was a successful implementation of the game plan.

"I thought our defense did a good job of stopping the run early. Offensively, we were able to rush the ball," Lamb said. "That’s what we wanted to do coming in. We wanted to stop their run and maintain our rush to set up our passes down the field."

Mercer quarterback John Russ threw 168 yards for three touchdowns in the victory.

The Bears totaled 570 yards on seven touchdowns. The team succeeded by holding onto the ball, Lamb said.

"I don’t know how many times I’ve said it, we got to value the ball. And we certainly valued the ball and didn’t have any turnovers in the game," he said. "When you don’t have turnovers in a football game, you have a chance to win. Certainly it was a big win for us."

The crowd at Mercer University Stadium was at capacity, as opposed to the season debut which was over capacity.

Mercer next plays fellow start-up program Berry College this coming Saturday night at 6 p.m.

Tags: Adam Ragusea, Mercer University football, Jane Hammond