Buies Creek, N.C. – The Elon football team rallied from a 10-point deficit and then held off a late charge to defeat Campbell 24-23 Saturday night. Down 24-17, Campbell scored a touchdown with just 71 seconds remaining in the game but the Elon defense, which came up big all night, swamped quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams to extinguish a two-point conversion attempt.
Elon improves to 1-1 with the win, while Campbell falls to 0-2.
Box Score
How It Happened
- Elon took a 7-0 lead on its first drive of the game, thanks to a one-handed 28-yard touchdown catch by Jackson Parham with a defender on his back. Jaylan Thomas ran four times for 17 yards on the six-play drive and also caught a 10-yard pass.
- With 2:25 to go in the first quarter, Campbell blocked a punt to take over at the Elon 14. Two plays later, the Camels score on an eight-yard pass to the back corner of the end zone to tie the score at 7-7.
- Late in the first half, Campbell drove to the Elon 23 and connected on a 40-yard field goal to take its first lead of the game at 10-7. The score remained that way into the locker room.
- On Campbell's first possession of the third quarter, Elon had the Camels facing a third-and-six but Jai Williams caught a 38-yard bomb that put Campbell ahead 17-7.
- Elon answered with an 11-play, 70-yard drive to close to within 17-14. On third down, Davis Cheek found Kortez Weeks for 35 yards and then Cheek hit Chandler Brayboy for a six-yard scoring strike three plays later.
- After a Tre'Von Jones fourth quarter interception, Elon took over at the Campbell 28-yard line. Cheek found Jackson Parham for 11 yards and then hit Bryson Daughtry for 12 yards. McKinley Witherspoon put Elon in the lead with a four-yard scamper as the Phoenix went ahead 21-17.
- Campbell took possession with 4:14 to go but on the first play of the drive, Nick Veloz forced a fumble, which was recovered by Tre'Von Jones at the Campbell 36. Three plays later, Skyler Davis nailed a 47-yard field goal that put Elon ahead 24-17 with 2:15 left.
- A desperate Campbell squad rallied late and drove across midfield. Quarterback Williams found Caleb Snead for a 48-yard touchdown with 1:11 left and the Camels decided to go for two. After a timeout, Williams looked to pass and then tucked the ball as the Elon defense swarmed him for the stop.
Notes And Stats
- Elon held a 382-282 advantage in total offense, holding Campbell to 59 yards in the first half and just five first downs.
- Despite limited offense, Campbell took the lead into the break on the strength of a blocked punt and a blocked field goal.
- Elon did not have a turnover on the evening and forced a pair of second-half Campbell miscues.
- Jaylan Thomas was a workhouse for the Phoenix, carrying 19 times for 55 yards and adding four receptions for 38 yards.
- Davis Cheek was 22-of-37 passing for 269 yards and two touchdowns.
- Tre'Von Jones had an interception and a fumble recovery defensively. He led the team with nine tackles and also had a 39-yard kick return to open the second half.
- Devonte Chandler had eight tackles and a team-high 2.5 for loss, including a sack.
- Shamari Wingard recorded two pass break-ups.
- This was the first ever contest between Elon and Campbell.
From Coach Tony Trisciani
- "This was a hard-fought victory and one we needed. We were a real hungry football team tonight. I was pleased with our fight, and our courage and our grit, but that's in our DNA. As we improve the execution and the playmaking, we can win more football games."
Up Next
- Elon heads on the road to face FBS opponent Appalachian State Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
- The Phoenix will be back at home on Sept. 25 to host William & Mary in the team's CAA Football opener at 2:00 p.m.
