1 – Mercer's rank in FCS in 2015 in red-zone offense, fewest penalties per game and fewest penalty yards per game.

1.4 – Percentage of miles, from Mercer's Five Star Stadium to Bobby Dodd Stadium, not on I-75, according to Google directions (1.2 out of 87.1)

19.7/3.8 – Spending on football, in millions of dollars, at Tech and Mercer in 2014, according to U.S. Department of Education statistics

9 – Number of consecutive home openers that Tech has won. All nine have been against FCS opponents.

10 – Number of former Tech players expected to be on NFL active rosters for opening weekend.

61 – Number of yards quarterback Justin Thomas needs to pass Mike Kelley for seventh place in career total offense.

178 – Mercer's finish in the 2015 Sagarin ratings, with a 5-6 record. Seven spots ahead of Mercer was Alcorn State, which Tech beat 69-6 in that season's opener.

887 – Games that the Jackets have played since they last played Mercer in the 1938 season opener, a 19-0 Tech win.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Kennesaw State guard Simeon Cottle shoots a technical foul shot during the second half of a game against South Florida Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Kennesaw State University. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC))

Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Featured

Austin Walters died from an overdose in 2021 after taking a Xanax pill laced with fentanyl, his father said. A new law named after Austin and aimed at preventing deaths from fentanyl has resulted in its first convictions in Georgia, prosecutors said. (Family photo)

Credit: Family photo