Auburn tops hard-to-handle Mercer

AUBURN, Ala. — Kamryn Pettway ran for 128 yards and three touchdowns as No. 15 Auburn overcame five turnovers to hold off FCS school Mercer 24-10 Saturday in another troubling performance by the Tigers’ offense.

After being held without a touchdown in a 14-6 loss at third-ranked Clemson the previous week, Auburn (2-1) could at least point to a stout defensive opponent as the reason for its troubles. Not this time. Mercer, which only resumed its football program five years ago and plays a division down in the Southern Conference, gave the Tigers all they could handle, much to a chagrin of a disgruntled crowd at Jordan-Hare Stadium — many of whom didn’t bother returning to their seats after a lackluster first half in which the SEC powerhouse led only 10-3.

Much of Auburn’s woes could be attributed to an inability to hold onto the ball. The Tigers lost three fumbles in the first half and another returning a punt on what

should’ve been their first possession of the second half. Jarrett Stidham also had an interception when Kam Lott ripped the ball away from Nate Craig-Myers, a lackluster effort by the intended receiver that symbolized the entire afternoon.

Stidham otherwise had a big game, completing 32 of 37 for 364 yards.

The Bears (1-2) fell behind 17-3 on Pettway’s second TD, a 9-yard run midway through the third quarter. But the private school from Macon, Ga., made things interesting with its only drive of any significance in the game. Mercer pushed 83 yards in 12 plays, capped by Kaelan Riley’s 7-yard scoring pass to Marquise Irvin with just less than 14 minutes to go.

PURDUE 35, MISSOURI 3

COLUMBIA, Mo. — David Blough passed for one touchdown and ran for another as Purdue dominated Missouri.

The Boilermakers head into Big Ten Conference play just one victory shy of last year’s total. It’s the fewest points allowed by Purdue (2-1) since a 59-0 victory over Southeast Missouri State in 2011.

Purdue used a two-quarterback system, and both played well. David Blough completed 22 of 28 passes for 187 yards and 1 touchdown. Elijah Sindelar completed 4 of 6 passes for 85 yards and one touchdown. Tario Fuller carried 19 times for 90 yards and a score.

Purdue scored touchdowns on its first three drives and led 28-3 at halftime.

Missouri’s listless performance was best illustrated by one series in the second quarter in which the Tigers committed penalties on four consecutive plays — three false starts and a holding infraction.