JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) — CJ Miller rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns, Braden Atkinson threw three touchdown passes, and Mercer overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat East Tennessee State 38-34 on Saturday night.

Mercer (3-1, 3-0 Southern Conference), No. 23 in the FCS coaches poll, led on a field goal with 10:09 in the first quarter, but didn’t reclaim the lead again until the 5:40 mark in the fourth quarter.

After Atkinson’s lone interception in the third quarter, Cade McNamara returned the favor with one of his own.

Atkinson capitalized with his third touchdown pass, connecting with Brayden Smith to cut the deficit to 34-31 with 11:29 remaining. Miller punched in a 1-yard run for a touchdown to reclaim the lead.

Mercer’s Andrew Zock sacked McNamara to stall the en

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