PRINCETON, N.J. (Interstat) — Braden Atkinson threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns as Mercer dominated Princeton in a 38-14 road victory on Saturday at Princeton Stadium, defying pregame expectations in a contest that was effectively decided by halftime.

The Bears, improving to 4-1, scored on their opening drive and never looked back, building a 21-0 lead before the Tigers could find the scoreboard. Princeton, which entered the game as a 9.5-point favorite according to Interstat, fell to 2-1 with the loss. The projected final score from the same service was Princeton 35, Mercer 24.

Atkinson, a quarterback from Rolesville, North Carolina, was surgical, completing 27 of 42 passes. He spread the ball to nine different receivers, leading an offense that amassed significant yardage and controlled the clock. His favorite target was Adonis McDaniel, who hauled in three catches for 78 yards, including a crucial 56-yard reception that set up a score.

Mercer’s offense established its dominance immediately, marching 72 yards on a methodical 13-play opening drive. The possession was capped by a 2-yard touchdown pass from Atkinson to tight end Malik Simmons. The Bears’ defense then set the tone for the first half, forcing a fumble on Princeton’s ensuing possession. Linebacker Julian Fox was credited with the recovery, one of two fumbles he recovered in the game.

After a missed field goal stalled another promising drive, the Bears found the end zone again late in the first quarter. A 20-yard completion from Atkinson to Kendall Harris set up a 5-yard touchdown run by CJ Miller, giving Mercer a 14-0 lead as the quarter expired.

The second quarter saw the Bears extend their lead. A 56-yard strike from Atkinson to McDaniel put Mercer in Princeton territory, and on the next play, Atkinson connected with Samuel Albee for a 23-yard touchdown, making it 21-0.

Princeton’s offense, which cycled through quarterbacks Kai Colón and Blaine Hipa, struggled to find consistency against a relentless Mercer pass rush. The Tigers finally engineered a scoring drive late in the first half. A 55-yard interception return by Evan Haynie gave Princeton prime field position. Colón, from Middletown, New York, eventually found Aidan Besselman for a 2-yard touchdown pass with 33 seconds left in the half to cut the deficit to 21-7.

Any momentum Princeton carried into the locker room was quickly extinguished in the third quarter. Mercer scored on its first drive of the second half, with Atkinson finding Brayden Smith for a 10-yard touchdown. Smith, from Macon, Georgia, finished with four receptions for 28 yards and the score, adding 72 return yards.

The Bears struck again later in the third. A 40-yard completion from Atkinson to Adjatay Dabbs set up Dabbs himself for a 10-yard rushing touchdown, pushing the lead to 35-7. Dabbs was a dynamic weapon, finishing with 78 receiving yards on three catches and 10 rushing yards.

Princeton’s second touchdown came in the fourth quarter on an 11-yard pass from Colón to Jackson Green, making the score 38-14 after the extra point. Colón finished 13 of 21 for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Hipa, from Kailua, Hawaii, was 5 of 13 for 67 yards and was sacked multiple times.

Mercer’s final points came from a 30-yard field goal by Reice Griffith early in the fourth quarter. The Bears’ ground game was effective throughout, with Tyrell Coard leading the way with 54 yards on seven carries. Ty Doughty added 43 rushing yards and 24 receiving yards.

For Princeton, running back Kai Honda managed 39 yards on eight carries, while Kenny Jordan provided a spark in the return game with 88 yards on three returns. Josh Robinson was the Tigers’ leading receiver with six catches for 60 yards.

The Mercer defense was the story of the game, however, consistently pressuring the Princeton quarterbacks and forcing multiple turnovers that stifled any potential comeback.

Mercer will look to build on its winning streak when it hosts Virginia Military Institute on Oct. 25. Princeton will aim to rebound next Saturday when it travels to face Brown.