LEXINGTON, Va. (Interstat) — Mercer will visit Virginia Military Institute on Saturday in an NCAA Football Championship Division game at Foster Stadium in Lexington, Va. The Bears enter 3-2. The Keydets are 0-5.

Mercer moved above .500 with a 34-17 victory at Abilene Christian in its most recent game. JP Pickles led the Bears, passing for 77 yards and rushing for 130 yards while also recording a 6-yard reception and accounting for three touchdowns. Travion Solomon added a 6-yard touchdown catch and rushed for 4 yards. Devon Caldwell rushed 23 times for 132 yards and caught one pass for 1 yard.

Pickles has been a central figure for Mercer’s offense. In a loss at Georgia Tech, he passed for 82 yards and rushed for 53 yards. In a win over Presbyterian, he passed for 35 yards and rushed for 52 yards with two touchdowns. Mercer’s other results this season include a 20-13 loss to Furman, a 62-3 win over Presbyterian, and a 23-15 win over Texas A&M-Commerce.

Virginia Military Institute is still seeking its first win. The Keydets fell 45-7 at Samford in their most recent outing. Ian Reynolds passed for 61 yards and rushed for 9 yards in that game. Chandler Wilson and JoJo Crump also saw time at quarterback.

Reynolds passed for 135 yards and a touchdown at Davidson, and he passed for 33 yards and rushed for 1 yard at Virginia Tech. VMI’s other results include a 27-24 loss at Davidson, a 14-3 loss to Bucknell, a 73-3 loss at Virginia Tech, and a 38-10 loss at Idaho State.

JP Pickles is the player to watch for Mercer. Ian Reynolds is the player to watch for VMI. Pickles has rushed for 130 yards in a game this season and passed for 82 yards in another. Reynolds has passed for 135 yards in a game this season and 61 yards in his most recent outing.

Mercer has scored 34 or more points in two of its five games. VMI has scored 24 points or fewer in each of its five contests. Caldwell rushed for 132 yards in Mercer’s most recent game. Pickles rushed for 130 yards and passed for 77 yards in that game.

Mercer’s upcoming schedule includes a home game against Western Carolina, followed by a trip to Samford. VMI is scheduled to visit Wofford before hosting East Tennessee State.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Mercer 57, Virginia Military Institute 23.