ELON, N.C. — When the Elon football team took the field against Vanderbilt on Sept. 3, 2011, for its first game against a Southeastern Conference opponent, the Phoenix hoped to make a statement. So, too, did Aaron Mellette, who, after breaking out in 2010, looked to stake his claim as one of the country's top wide receivers.
 
Ultimately, Elon fell short of its goal, losing 45-14 in a game that was tightly contested through three quarters. But Mellette shined, catching 11 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown as part of a performance that landed him on NFL teams' radars.
 
Eleven years later, the Phoenix returns to Vanderbilt Stadium this Saturday for the first time since Mellette's big game. Ahead of then, the 2020 Elon Sports Hall of Fame inductee — who's in his first year as Elon's assistant director of student-athlete services — took the time to reflect on playing the Commodores.
 
Q: From the moment you learned you'd be opening the 2011 season at Vanderbilt up until game week, what do you remember about the buildup and anticipation leading up to that game?
 
Aaron Mellette: I can't recall the exact moment when I first learned about us playing Vanderbilt, but going into camp, I remember how focused I was to make a name for myself on the national stage against an SEC team. The Southern Conference, I believe, had me as the third-best wide receiver in our conference going into that season, and we had new head coach (Jason Swepson), I had a new position coach (Kevin Downing), and a new starting quarterback (Thomas Wilson) filling the role of Elon great Scott Riddle. All of these factors could be seen as a negative, but I was highly motivated, and I wanted to show our Elon fans we were going to have a great team.
 
As for leading up to game week, the wide receiver room lost two important players with injuries during the last scrimmage, Jeremy Peterson and Rasaun Rorie. That just made the wide receivers prepare harder, and I said, "I hope the other wideouts are ready to step up." My mindset shifted that week when a redshirt freshman named Jeremy Inglesi Jr. came up to me before our first practice and said, "Time for you to put the team on your back, Merle." Those words stuck with me the entire week; even on game day during warmups when he spoke those words to me again. I felt a sense of calmness during our pregame routine. All I could think was, "Why not me? It's time for these Vanderbilt fans, their players, our Elon fans, Elon Athletic Department, to become witnesses to Merle Nation. It's go time!"
 
Q: The team fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter, but you came back to even the score early in the second on a 13-play, 90-yard touchdown drive in which you caught four passes for 69 yards. What was it like on the sidelines after that first touchdown? How much extra confidence did that give the team?
 
AM: The confidence was flowing after that drive. Helping lead our team down the field with some plays and seeing Dontay Taylor score up the middle, we knew Vandy was going to be in for a battle. The veterans on the team were all prepared for this moment, so at that point we hoped Vandy felt these boys from N.C. came to play.
 
Q: What was it like in the locker room at halftime with the team down just two scores?
 
AM: I can't really recall much from halftime. I just remember speaking to our offensive coordinator (Chris Pincince) about what I felt could work or keep working, and just get me the ball. I personally was in a zone, and I was hoping everyone else on the team was feeding off that energy. I knew coming out of halftime we had to score.
 
Q: Vanderbilt received the second-half kickoff, and after the defense forced a quick three-and-out, you promptly scored on a 32-yard pass, pulling the team within seven. What do you remember about that play and the ensuing celebration?
 
AM: Is it OK to say I remember EVERYTHING about that play? I was in the slot and had a seam route in which they had a one-high safety that was cheated over my way. I bent the seam in front of him. Thomas threw it a little behind me, which gave me a chance to snag it one-handed, and then it was off to the races, and I wasn't going to be caught. I was hype, jumping and skipping, yelling, "We're not going anywhere!" And Coach Swepson was saying calm down. I'm like, "Forget being calm. Did you witness what I just did?" The Elon fans that traveled were hype with the team, and we were ready on the sideline for the next series.
 
Q: Although the offense was shut out the rest of the way, what did the team take away from that experience?
 
AM: It sucked getting shut out the rest of the way, that's for sure. I think everyone left that game confirming what we knew during the preseason: we have a chance to be a playoff team this season. Guys were taking advantage of their opportunities to finally be starters. Personally, the experience I gained was the confidence that I was one of the best wide receivers in the country — Nick Saban was going to watch this film and be like, "Why didn't we recruit this guy?"
 
Q: You finished with 11 catches for 180 yards and that touchdown while lining up primarily against Casey Hayward. From a personal standpoint, how significant was it for you to have such success against a cornerback who went on to be a second-round NFL Draft pick and two-time Pro Bowler?
 
AM: It was huge to have a successful day against him. I rewatched the game, and the ESPN broadcaster kept saying I was the best player on the field. In my mind, that offseason I'd been preparing to take that next leap into greatness. Vanderbilt just happened to be the first team on the schedule that I was able to show my hard work against. I was highly motivated and the ultimate competitor. I also think it set the stage for the rest of the season that I would have individually. I just wanted to validate that the season before was just me scratching the surface of my talent and that Elon still has the best wide receiver in the country — he's just wearing No. 3 now instead of No. 19.
 
Q: As Saturday's game has drawn closer, how much have you found yourself thinking back to that last trip to Nashville?
 
AM: I've thought about it a lot the last couple weeks. Just from what my mindset was, the accolades that I garnered, how proud my family was of me after. I still hate we lost, but it was a defining moment in my legacy here at Elon.
 
Q: What sort of advice do you have for the team heading into the contest?
 
AM: For the advice I would give the team, it would be what I mentioned earlier that was said to me. Someone has to be ready to put the team on their back and set the tone for the game. That same person or another has to tell themselves, "Why not me?" The game becomes mental at that point, and if you believe in yourself and the hard work you've put in, go show everyone. Never take a single moment for granted, and when palms get sweaty, be the one who isn't fazed by the pressure. Once Elon upsets Vandy, ESPN will be talking about us all week long! Don't be afraid to make history.