Elon, N.C. – The Elon University football team scored four touchdowns of at least 41 yards as the Phoenix stayed in contention in the CAA Football race by downing Monmouth 28-26 Saturday for Homecoming. Matthew Downing threw three touchdowns and Chandler Brayboy had rushing and receiving scores.
 
Elon improves to 4-4 with the win and 4-1 in CAA play. Monmouth falls to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in conference action. The Phoenix now have a bye week before three games to close the season to determine a conference championship.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• It took Elon just 54 seconds to get on the scoreboard as Matthew Downing hit Chandler Brayboy for a 59-yard touchdown strike.
• The Phoenix built a 14-0 lead when Downing found Jordan Bonner from 41 yards away give Elon a two-score lead with 7:29 remaining in the first quarter.
• Monmouth answered back with a touchdown early in the second quarter but a missed extra point ended up being key.
• With just 1:53 left in the first half, Downing had his third touchdown pass, finding tight end Johncarlos Miller II from 65 yards away for a 21-6 halftime lead.
• Monmouth answered in the third quarter as dynamic wide receiver Dymere Miller took an end around 68 yards for a touchdown. The Hawks' two-point conversion attempt failed and Elon led 21-12.
• Monmouth used a 10-play, 80-yard drive late in the third for another touchdown to make it 21-19.
• Elon again scored from distance as Brayboy took an end around for 41 yards and a 28-19 lead.
• Monmouth scored a touchdown with 1:29 to go to get within two at 28-26 but Elon was able to run out most of the rest of the clock. The Hawks had one final play but Elon's Caleb Curtain jumped on a loose football after multiple laterals to end the game.

 



NOTES AND STATS

• Quarterback Matthew Downing had a career-high 238 passing yards – by halftime. He finished the game 14-of-20 for 282 yards and three touchdowns.
• Jalen Hampton shook off a slow start to rush the ball 22 times for 80 yards. He was especially effective late in the game, grinding out first downs and keeping Monmouth from making a comeback.
• Three Elon receivers had at least 70 yards receiving. Chandler Brayboy had three catches for 96 yards, Jordan Bonner had four catches for 87 yards and Johncarlos Miller II had two catches for 70 yards. All three had a receiving touchdown as well.
• Redshirt freshman Marco Patierno had a game-high 11 tackles. Patierno was named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List earlier in the week, given annually to the FCS Freshman of the Week.
• Caleb Curtain finished with five tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery, and a pass break-up.
• Elon had seven pass break-ups as a team, including two apiece from starting cornerbacks Antonio White and Jaidyn Denis.
• Elon was +1 on turnovers for the game. Monmouth entered the contest at +6 but the Phoenix was able to force two turnovers, while committing just one.
• Elon had just two penalties in the game and held the time of possession advantage with 32:14.
• Elon has now won eight of its last nine CAA games and 9-of-10 home games.
• This was the first meeting all-time between Elon and Monmouth.
• Elon Head Coach Tony Trisciani improved his career record to 24-24.
• Elon improves to 4-1 in CAA play for the first time since 2018.
• The Phoenix has now won nine straight CAA games inside the state of North Carolina.
• Elon improved to 15-6 in CAA games since the start of the 2021 season, the best record in the conference during that span.

 
UP NEXT

• Following the bye week, Elon will travel to Delaware to play the Blue Hens. Delaware is currently 6-1 overall and the only unbeaten team in CAA play at 4-0. The Blue Hens will play at Towson this week before facing Elon.