ELON, NC -- All-American fullback Adrian Peterson scampered for a game-winning two-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds remaining as No. 2 Georgia Southern overcame an upset-minded Phoenix squad 27-21 at Elon's Homecoming Saturday afternoon at Rhodes Stadium.
The two-time defending NCAA-IAA champion Eagles (9-1) trailed the Phoenix (2-8) by as many as 11 points twice, including 14-3 early in the second quarter and 21-10 later in the same period. Via a stingy Georgia Southern defense that shut out Elon in the second half, coupled with Peterson's lone score in the contest's waning seconds, the Eagles' only lead of the game was the only one that they needed.
Peterson rushed for 120 yards on 23 carries, slightly below his 138.1 yards-per-game average. GSU quarterback J.R. Revere collected 118 yards of total offense (67 rushing, 51 passing), well below his 164.5-yard average.
The Eagles out-clawed the Phoenix in most major offensive categories, including first downs (21-14), total plays (67-55), total net yards (328-299) and possession time (32:35-27:25). Georgia Southern is just one of seven top 12 NCAA-IAA teams currently on Elon's 2001 schedule.
Larrey Burney's one-yard scoring run with 4:31 left in the first quarter gave the Phoenix a 7-0 lead. Scott Shelton's 45-yard field goal pulled the Eagles within 7-3 with 1:33 left in that stanza.
Elon stretched its advantage to 14-3 thanks to Rashaud Palmer's five-yard touchdown run with 12:24 to play in the second quarter. Revere scrambled his way to a 10-yard TD run with 7:03 remaining in that period to cut the deficit to 14-10.
C.W. Singletary connected with Arketa Banks on a 69-yard pass play to increase Elon's advantage to 21-10 with 6:07 remaining in second quarter. As time expired in the period, Shelton booted a 37-yard field goal to bring GSU within 21-13 at halftime.
Mark Myers' 53-yard touchdown run pulled the Eagles within 21-19 with 6:12 left in the third period. It would also help set up Peterson's fourth-quarter heroics.
Game Box Score
-- ELON --