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.

The Bears (4-1) seized control immediately, scoring 14 points in the first quarter and never looking back against the Tigers (2-1). Mercer’s offense was efficient and explosive, amassing a significant yardage advantage while its defense harassed multiple Princeton quarterbacks, forcing several key turnovers.

Atkinson, a quarterback from Rolesville, North Carolina, completed 27 of 42 passes. His scoring throws went to Malik Simmons, Samuel Albee and Brayden Smith. The Mercer offense showcased balance, with Tyrell Coard rushing for 54 yards and Ty Doughty adding 43 yards on the ground while also catching three passes for 24 yards.

Adjutay Dabbs was a big-play threat for the Bears, catching three passes for 78 yards and a touchdown and adding a 10-yard rushing score. Adonis McDaniel also contributed 78 receiving yards on three catches.

The game’s outcome was a stark contrast to pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a Princeton victory with a final score of 35-24, and the Tigers had been installed as 9.5-point favorites. Mercer, however, entered the contest with a 68% probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system.

Mercer’s defense set the tone early. After the Bears’ opening drive culminated in a 2-yard touchdown pass from Atkinson to Simmons, the unit forced a fumble on Princeton’s ensuing possession, recovered by Julian Fox. That led to a second Mercer score, a 5-yard touchdown run by CJ Miller, to establish a 14-0 first-quarter lead.

The Bears extended their lead to 21-0 in the second quarter on a 23-yard touchdown connection from Atkinson to Albee. Princeton finally got on the board just before halftime, with Kai Colón finding Aidan Besselman on a 2-yard pass to make it 21-7.

Any momentum for the Tigers was quickly extinguished in the third quarter. Mercer scored twice more, first on a 10-yard pass from Atkinson to Smith and then on Dabbs’ 10-yard run, pushing the lead to 35-7.

A 30-yard field goal from Reice Griffith in the fourth quarter made it 38-7 for Mercer. Princeton added a consolation touchdown late in the game on an 11-yard pass from Colón to Jackson Green for the final margin.

Colón, from Middletown, New York, finished 13 of 21 for 124 yards and two touchdowns for Princeton. Josh Robinson was his primary target, catching six passes for 60 yards. The Tigers’ ground game was led by Kai Honda, who rushed for 39 yards. The Princeton offense was hampered by multiple sacks and turnovers, stifling any sustained momentum.

The loss was the first of the season for Princeton, which now looks ahead to its Ivy League schedule. The Tigers travel to face Brown next Saturday.

Mercer, which has now won four straight since a season-opening loss to Presbyterian, will have a bye next week before hosting Virginia Military Institute on Oct. 25.