Postgame Press Conference
ELON, N.C. -- In front of a Rhodes Stadium record crowd of 14,167, the sixth-ranked Elon Phoenix came out on the short end of a 27-10 decision against the seventh-rated Appalachian State Mountaineers in a battle of Southern Conference unbeatens on Saturday. With the win by ASU, the program's 19th consecutive league victory, the Mountaineers improved to 8-2 overall and 7-0 in SoCon play to clinch at least a share of their fifth straight league crown. Elon saw its six-game winning streak snapped and is now 8-2, 6-1.
ASU's win makes the Mountaineers the second SoCon program to win five straight league crowns. Georgia Southern won six title from 1997-2002.
In the contest, Elon's
Terrell Hudgins caught 10 passes for 127 yards to tie the NCAA Division I record (FBS or FCS record) with his 26th career 100-yard game.
"They (Appalachian State) did a lot of the things you need to do to win the game," said Elon head coach
Pete Lembo. "I felt like we played well and hung with them for three quarters, but that's not enough. I did feel like our kids battled throughout."
After taking over at the 50 yard line following a Mark LeGree interception, Appalachian State took the early 7-0 lead on a 15-yard Armanti Edwards run with 7:17 to play in the first quarter. The drive lasted 2:43 and consisted of six plays.
The Mountaineers extended their lead to 14-0 with just under a minute remaining in the first period when Edwards ran in for the second time, this one from six yards out. ASU's drive went 90 yards in 3:32 aided by a 32-yard connection from Edwards to Blake Elder on a third and six.
On his second interception of the day, LeGree returned the ball to the Elon 15. Three plays later, Edwards plunged in from three yards out.
During the first 30 minutes, Elon found itself on the short end of the stats as ASU out-gained the Phoenix by a 281-110 margin. Edwards rushed for 73 yards and threw for 167.
On its first drive of the second half, the Phoenix marched 79 yards on 10 plays over 4:34 before
Adam Shreiner booted a 23-yard field goal with 9:07 on the clock.
Scott Riddle completed five of his six pass attempts for 66 yards on the drive.
The Mountaineers answered with a field goal of their own when Jason Vitaris drilled a 35-yarder just under five minutes later to give ASU a 24-3 edge. Vitaris added another three pointer with 8:03 remaining in the game on a 26-yard attempt.
Aaron Mellette was on the receiving end of a 12-yard touchdown pass from Riddle to complete a nine-play, 75-yard charge by the Phoenix. On the drive, Riddle connected on six of eight attempts for 65 yards while
A.J. Harris picked up the other 10 on his lone carry of the drive.
Elon's top-rated defense allowed a season-high 486 total yards to Appalachian State, the country's top-ranked offense. The Phoenix put up 270 yards of offense.
Joshua Jones and
Nolan Ward led Elon with 10 total tackles each.
Andre Campbell recorded one sack to improve his team-leading total to 7.5, a new Elon season record since the move to NCAA Division I play, and now has 10.5 sacks during his career.
Offensively, the Phoenix rushed for just 58 net yards, including 63 yards from reigning SoCon Offensive Player of the Week
Brandon Newsome. Riddle threw for 212 yards, the 28th career 200-yard passing game for the junior. He is now just one shy of equaling the SoCon mark of 29 games set by Appalachian State's D.J. Campbell (1989-92).
Appalachian State's Edwards finished with three rushing touchdowns and 73 yards on the ground. He added 281 yards through the air, completing 21 of his 24 pass attempts. Matt Cline led the ASU receiving corps with 104 yards on eight grabs.
The Mountaineer defense saw D.J. Smith rack up 15 tackles while Anthony Williams recorded two sacks. LeGree picked off Riddle twice in the contest. ASU finished the day with five sacks.
The Phoenix hits the road for its final regular season tilt next Saturday at Samford. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. Eastern. Appalachian State will return home to take on Western Carolina at 3:30 p.m.
-- ELON --