Mercer and South Dakota play for a spot in the FCS quarterfinals Saturday.
The sixth-seeded Bears (9-2) have become a legit contender just over a decade after reviving their long-dormant program. After winning the SoCon title for the second consecutive season, Mercer is hoping to better last year's playoff showing, which ended in a quarterfinal loss at eventual champion North Dakota State.
To have that chance, the Bears will need to get past the 11th-seeded Coyotes, who already have a postseason win under their belt after breezing past Drake in the first round last week.
South Dakota will have to stop Mercer freshman QB Braden Atkinson, who ranks second in the FCS with 34 passing TDs and third with 3,448 yards through the air.
Here is everything you need to know about the first-ever matchup between Mercer vs. South Dakota, including TV and streaming options for the FCS playoff game.
Where to watch Mercer vs. South Dakota today: TV channel, live stream
- TV channel: N/A
- Live stream: ESPN+
Mercer vs. South Dakota will not air on a traditional national TV channel. The game will be available to watch on ESPN+, with Kelsie Kasper and Forrest Conoly on the call.
Catch all your favorite ESPN+ action with ESPN Select! Just download the new ESPN app, sign in with your ESPN account, tap Subscribe to ESPN Select and you're set to stream live sports, originals and more — all in one place.
Mercer vs. South Dakota start time
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
- Time: Noon ET | 11 a.m. CT
Mercer vs. South Dakota is scheduled to kick off at noon ET on Saturday, Dec. 6. The game will be played at Five Star Stadium in Macon, Georgia.
FCS playoffs schedule, results 2025
Saturday, Nov. 29 (First round)
| Scores |
| Yale 43, No. 15 Youngstown State 42 |
| No. 9 Rhode Island 27, Central Connecticut State 19 |
| No. 12 Villanova 52, Harvard 7 |
| Illinois State 21, No. 16 Southeastern Louisiana 3 |
| No. 10 Abilene Christian 38, Lamar 20 |
| North Dakota 31, No. 13 Tennessee Tech 6 |
| No. 11 South Dakota 38, Drake 17 |
| No. 14 South Dakota State 41, New Hampshire 3 |
Saturday, Dec. 6 (Second round)
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| No. 5 Lehigh vs. No. 12 Villanova | Noon | ESPN+ |
| No. 6 Mercer vs. No. 11 South Dakota | Noon | ESPN+ |
| No. 1 North Dakota State vs. Illinois State | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 4 Tarleton State vs. North Dakota | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 2 Montana State vs. Yale | 2 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 3 Montana vs. No. 14 South Dakota State | 2 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 7 Stephen F. Austin vs. No. 10 Abilene Christian | 2 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| No. 8 UC Davis vs. No. 9 Rhode Island | 10 p.m. | ESPN2, Fubo, ESPN app |
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