---
title: "Citadel Lets 10-0 Lead Slip in 28-19 Loss at Mercer in Macon"
url: https://www.herecharleston.com/2026/11/01/citadel-lets-10-0-lead-slip-loses-at-mercer-28-19/
date: 2026-11-01T05:32:27-05:00
modified: 2026-11-01T05:32:27-05:00
author: "Sherri Kumar"
categories: ["Sports"]
site: "HERE Charleston"
attribution: "HERE Charleston"
---

# Citadel Lets 10-0 Lead Slip in 28-19 Loss at Mercer in Macon

> MACON, Ga. — The Citadel held a 10-0 edge at the break on Saturday, Oct. 31, then watched No. 16 Mercer take over after halftime in a 28-19 Southern Conference loss at Five Star Stadium in Macon, Ga. Sebastien Boyle broke a 40-yard scoring run on the opening drive and the Bulldogs added a 37-yard

*Source: [HERE Charleston](https://www.herecharleston.com/2026/11/01/citadel-lets-10-0-lead-slip-loses-at-mercer-28-19/) — November 1, 2026 by Sherri Kumar*

MACON, Ga. — The Citadel held a 10-0 edge at the break on Saturday, Oct. 31, then watched No. 16 Mercer take over after halftime in a 28-19 Southern Conference loss at Five Star Stadium in Macon, Ga.

Sebastien Boyle broke a 40-yard scoring run on the opening drive and the Bulldogs added a 37-yard field goal early in the second quarter. At the half, The Citadel had 131 yards of offense to 45 for the Bears.

Mercer quarterback JP Pickles flipped the game in the third quarter, throwing scoring passes of 9 and 80 yards and running in from 2 yards out as the Bears piled up 21 unanswered points. He finished 17 of 20 for 234 yards and three touchdowns.

Nick Billoups, starting in place of Quentin Hayes, threw for 143 yards and ran 18 yards for a late score with 2:24 to go, but the extra point was blocked. The Bulldogs also missed two first-half field goals and lost a muffed punt.

The Citadel has now dropped four straight and stands at 2-7, 0-5 in league play. Mercer moved to 7-2 and 4-1 and has won five games in a row.