Houzah sparks Mercer to 13-9 victory over Chattanooga

Published

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — Stephen Houzah returned a punt 91 yards and one play later Tyray Devezin bulled in from the 1 for the winning touchdown as Mercer scored late to beat Chattanooga 13-9 on Saturday.

Houzah set up Mercer's first score when he returned a kickoff 73 yards to Chattanooga's 19. On the next play Harrison Frost nailed Chris Ellington on a 19-yard scoring strike for a 7-6 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Victor Ulmo kicked his second field goal to give the Mocs a 6-0 lead before Houzah's return. Ulmo drilled a 19-yarder for a 9-7 lead with 2:29 remaining before Devezin scored for the win.

Mercer (5-5, 4-3 Southern Conference) had not beaten Chattanooga on the road since 1933.

Neither team could get any traction early as Chattanooga took a 3-0 lead into the final quarter.

Houzah finished with 177 yards on three kickoff returns. Devezin rushed for 73 yards and caught two passes for 37 yards.

Nick Tiano threw for 189 yards for the Mocs (6-4, 4-4).