ELON, N.C. – The Elon University football team concluded its fall ball offseason on Saturday, Nov. 14, as the Phoenix closed out the week with its final intersquad scrimmage at Rhodes Stadium.
 
"Saturday's scrimmage was the final exam for football class this fall," said Elon head coach Tony Trisciani. "We got some good work in and valuable film. We had some explosive plays on both sides of the ball and that's important. If we are going to win a championship, we need to be strong in all three phases on offense, defense and special teams.
 
On offense, the team had some standout performances from Saturday's session with running backs Jaylan Thomas, DJ Moyer and McKinley Witherspoon each scoring a rushing touchdown. Witherspoon's performance on Saturday culminated his week to lead to him being named the team's Offensive Player of the Week.
 
"Offensively, we found some creases in the run game and did a better job protecting the quarterback," said Trisciani. "We limit the amount of live tackling during practice, so these live scrimmages give our offensive players a chance to break some tackles and our quarterbacks had a chance to extend plays. They did both and that's why we recruited them. They don't have the opportunity to show that ability in a typical 'Thud Tempo' practice."  
 
On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore Tre'Von Jones was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Week while fellow defensive back Cole Coleman was selected as the Phoenix's Special Teams Player of the Week.
 
"Defensively, we were strong in the red zone and played physical up front and on the perimeter," added Trisciani. "Iron sharpens iron and I've seen that firsthand with some strength and experience on the defensive line that has helped develop our rebuilt offensive line. On the back end, a group of experienced receivers and quarterback has pushed some young (defensive backs) to grow up fast."
 
Saturday's scrimmage ended the 15 fall practice sessions the team used to lay the groundwork for its 2021 spring campaign. Trisciani and the coaching staff understands that even with an unprecedented fall, it's still important for the players to perform their best whenever they take the field for practice for the coaches to evaluate.
 
"As a player, you want to go out and put your absolute best on film," said Trisciani. "Many of our guys did just that. As a coach we want to see development. We want to see progress from practice one to practice 12. Much will be evaluated from this film from scheme knowledge, position skills, fundamentals, toughness, effort, discipline, resilience and play making ability.
 
"I'm pleased with the progress we have made on the field and I am very proud our players and staff for the commitment they have made off the field and socially to keep COVID-19 out of our locker room so we could practice uninterrupted for the past five weeks," Trisciani added.
 
The team will close out this week with team meetings and training in the weight room before the close of the fall semester on Friday, Nov. 20. Afterwards, the will focus on be on individual development over the holiday break before the team returns in January for preseason work to lead into its 2021 spring season-opener.
 
"We will ask our players to commit to training hard in the weight room for the next eight weeks as they depart campus for Thanksgiving break, remote finals and Christmas break," said Trisciani. "In January, we will transition our focus from player development to preparation for a spring season."