ELON, N.C. – Despite a valiant comeback effort, the Elon football team lost its CAA opener to William & Mary, 34-31, Saturday in front of 11,897 fans at Rhodes Stadium. It was the fourth largest crowd in the 20-year history of the stadium.

The Phoenix trailed 21-0 early in the second quarter and 27-14 in the fourth quarter but rallied to make the score 34-31 with under five minutes remaining in the game. However, Elon could not score on a desperation play in the final seconds and lost by three on Family Weekend.

Davis Cheek set a career-high with 384 passing yards for the game, moving into second place in career passing yards in Elon history. He also tossed four touchdowns, including three in the second half, to lead Elon's comeback attempt. The Phoenix finished the game with 480 yards of total offense.
 
Elon's defense forced three turnovers to help swing the momentum, with Cole Coleman having a hand in two of them. He forced a fumble, had an interception and racked up 10 total tackles to lead Elon's defense.
 
Elon drops to 1-3 on the season (0-1 CAA Football) while William & Mary improves to 3-1 (1-0 CAA Football).
 
How it Happened

• On Elon's first offensive play, William & Mary stripped the ball from Kortez Weeks after he caught a pass behind the line of scrimmage. Three plays later, The Tribe went up 7-0 thanks to a two-yard touchdown run.
• On the first play of its next offensive possession, William & Mary completed a 47-yard pass to move the ball into Elon territory. Two plays later, quarterback Darius Wilson scored on a 46-yard touchdown scamper to stretch its advantage to 14-0.
• Elon answered with a 14-play, 56-yard drive but came up with no points, as Skyler Davis missed a 32-yard field goal to keep the score at 14-0.
• Early in the second quarter, William & Mary went up 21-0 after on a six-yard touchdown pass to capped off an 11-play, 80-yard touchdown march.  
• After being stopped on fourth and goal on its previous possession, Elon responded with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Davis Cheek to Weeks to make the score 21-7. The score capped off a six-play, 59-yard touchdown drive for the Phoenix, who converted on a fourth down with a 15-yard completion to Jordan Bonner to keep the drive alive.
• Elon kept its momentum going late in the second quarter, as Cole Coleman returned an interception to the William & Mary six-yard line. On the next play, Jaylan Thomas punched the ball into the endzone to cut The Tribe's lead to 21-14, which was the score at halftime.
• On its opening possession of the third quarter, William & Mary quarterback Wilson hit Lachlan Pitts for a 10-yard touchdown. The Tribe missed the extra point, making the score 27-14. 
• With 12:00 remaining in the fourth quarter, Skyler Davis converted on a 43-yard field goal to cut The Tribe's lead to 27-17.
• Coleman forced a fumble on the next William & Mary possession, which Marcus Hillman recovered at The Tribe's 40-yard line. Cheek completed passes to Bryson Daughtry for six yards and Thomas for 16 yards before hitting Daughtry in the end zone on a 19-yard touchdown strike to pull within three points, 27-24.
• The Tribe quickly answered Elon's touchdown and restored its 10-point lead, 34-24, with a 29-yard touchdown strike from receiver DreSean Kendrick on a double pass.
• With Elon needing a score on its next drive to stay in the game, Cheek tossed his fourth touchdown of the game, a 20-yard completion to a wide-open Thomas, to make the score 34-31.
• Looking to close out the game, William & Mary took over on offense with 4:31 remaining in the game. The Tribe picked up two first downs, which included a third down conversion, to seal the win, 34-31.

 
Notes and Stats

• Elon outgained William & Mary 491-399 in total offense, including a 250-192 advantage in the first half.
• Davis Cheek threw for a career 384 yards and tossed a season high four touchdowns to lead Elon's comeback attempt.
• Jackson Parham caught a career high 10 passes for 106 yards.
• Jaylan Thomas made an impact both on the ground and through the air, compiling 73 yards rushing, 70 yards receiving and two total touchdowns.
• Kortez Weeks hauled in six passes for 66 yards and a score, while Bryson Daughtry caught 5 balls for 60 yards and a touchdown.
• Cole Coleman had two turnovers that led to Elon touchdowns, an interception and a forced fumble. He also had ten total tackles, seven of which were solo takedowns. His interception was his first of the season. 
• Shamari Wingard picked up his first career interception in the third quarter to go along with one pass breakup and four tackles.
• Marcus Hillman got his second sack of the season in the third quarter. He also posted seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss.
• Missed opportunities in the red zone proved costly for Elon, as the Phoenix scored on just 1-of-3 trips inside the 20-yard line.
• After falling behind 21-0, the Phoenix went on a 14-0 scoring run in the second quarter, outgaining The Tribe 175-26 in total offense during the frame.
• William & Mary finished the game with 172 rushing yards, compared to Elon's 88.
• The Phoenix won the turnover battle 3-1 with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
• Elon committed 10 penalties for 96 yards, compared to William & Mary's five fouls for 45 yards.
• This was the sixth meeting between Elon and William & Mary. The Phoenix now trail the series, 4-2.

 
Up Next

• Elon travels to play Richmond in its first CAA Football road game Saturday at 2:00 p.m.