Durham, N.H. – No. 25/RV New Hampshire jumped out to an early lead and defeated No. 21/25 Elon 40-22 Saturday for UNH's Family Weekend in front of a crowd of 14,137 at Wildcat Stadium.
 
With the win, New Hampshire remains all alone in first place in CAA Football with a record of 6-2 overall and 5-0 in league play. Elon falls to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in conference action.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• New Hampshire scored on a 42-yard first quarter run and then a 14-yard pass early in the second quarter to go ahead 14-0.
• Elon answered back on the ensuing possession after the Wildcats went ahead by double digits. The Phoenix marched 89 yards, concluding with a 50-yard touchdown pass from Matthew McKay to Bryson Daughtry.
• New Hampshire built the lead to 23-7 by the half on another touchdown and a safety via intentional grounding in the end zone.
• UNH got the kickoff to open the second half but was unable to drive the field and Elon rallied. The Phoenix went 93 yards over seven plays, finishing with a 23-yard Chandler Brayboy touchdown. McKay rushed in the two-point conversion and the Phoenix were down just eight at 23-15.
• New Hampshire, though, scored on its next drive, then connected on a field goal after an interception to make it 33-15. The Wildcats then ran for a 77-yard touchdown that made it 40-15.
• Elon made one last push, quickly getting a 75-yard scoring drive, capped by a four-yard Malik Griffin rush to bring the score to 40-22. The Phoenix's onside kick failed and UNH was able to close out the game.

 
NOTES AND STATS

• Jordan Bonner tied his career high with four receptions and had a career-best 90 receiving yards
• Bryson Daughtry had two catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. He has now caught a pass in 38 straight games and has had at least two receptions and 40 receiving yards in every contest this year
• Elon threw for 250 yards in the game. Matthew McKay had 185 yards passing and Justin Allen came on late to go 4-for-4 for 65 yards
• Jalen Hampton ended with 17 carries for 84 yards
• Elon ran for 145 yards, the seventh time the Phoenix has rushed for 120+ this year
• The Elon defense had allowed just one second-half touchdown against FCS opponents in 2022 but New Hampshire had two Saturday
• Omar Rogers had a team-high 11 tackles, including 1.0 for loss
• Jamir Malone added nine tackles and a TFL, while Bo Sanders had nine tackles as well
• Jeff Yurk averaged 44.2 yards over five punts
• UNH was 10-of-19 on third downs and 2-of-2 on fourth downs. Elon was just 2-of-9 on third downs and 0-of-1 on fourth downs
• This was Elon's third game of the season between two ranked opponents. The Phoenix is 1-2 in those contests
• Elon falls to 28-29 all-time as a ranked team
• New Hampshire improves to 6-2 all-time against Elon, including 4-0 in Durham, N.H.

 
UP NEXT

• Elon returns home to host Delaware Saturday at 3:30 p.m.