Allen's TD gives The Citadel 21-19 win over Mercer

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) Dominique Allen's 3-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter provided The Citadel with the cushion it needed to hold off Mercer 21-19 on Saturday.

A pair of sacks forced Mercer (3-5, 0-4 Southern) to punt from its 7-yard line and a 12-yard return by DeAndre Schoultz set the Bulldogs up at the Bears 38. Seven plays later Allen scored for a 21-13 lead. Mercer responded with a 75-yard drive with Alex Lakes plunging in from the 1. However, the Bears' pass for the 2-point conversion was incomplete and The Citadel (6-2, 5-0) was able to run out the clock.

The Citadel is 5-0 in the Southern Conference for the first time, tied with Chattanooga.

Cam Jackson and Tyler Renew both went over 100 yards rushing for the Bulldogs, who stayed on the ground for 367 yards against Mercer. The Bears had the conference's best rush defense coming into the game.