Elon University Athletics

Richmond, Va. – Richmond scored 21 second-quarter points and the Elon University football team was never able to recover in a 38-24 loss Saturday. The two teams entered the contest as part of a five-way tie atop the CAA Football standings and, with the win, Richmond will compete for a share of the CAA title next week. The Spiders improve to 7-3 overall and 6-1 in CAA play, while Elon falls to 5-5 overall and 5-2 in league action.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Richmond took the opening drive for a touchdown as quarterback Kyle Wickersham was 4-for-4 passing to grab an early 7-0 lead.
• After the two teams traded punts, Elon answered back. On third down, Matthew Downing bought time, scrambled and found Jamarien Dalton 37 yards downfield for a touchdown.
• Richmond used a fake punt in the first quarter to extend a drive that carried into the second. The Spiders outscored Elon 21-0 in the second quarter for a 28-7 halftime advantage.
• Elon worked to rally in the second half. Jalen Hampton's 42-yard jaunt midway through the third quarter brought the Phoenix to within 14 at 28-14.
• Midway through the fourth, Richmond and Elon exchanged field goals that made it 31-17.
• The Spiders added a late touchdown before Downing found Johncarlos Miller II for a score in the final minutes.

 
NOTES AND STATS

• Cody Hardy had a 22-yard reception in the second quarter. It was his second career catch and the longest of his collegiate career.
• Caleb Curtain picked up his team-leading fourth interception of the season in the second quarter. He added seven tackles, six solo.
• After Elon's first two touchdowns, the Phoenix had scored nine straight touchdowns from at least 29 yards away.
• Jordan Bonner finished with a career-high 122 receiving yards. It is the first 100-yard game of his career.
• Matthew Downing was 19-of-33 passing for 281 yards and two touchdowns. It was his third consecutive game with at least 280 yards passing.
• Jalen Hampton ran the ball 14 times for 94 yards.
• Bo Sanders led the Elon defensive effort with nine tackles.
• Antonio White had six tackles a pass break-up and 0.5 tackle for loss.
• Marvin Pearson had a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss.
• Elon was +1 on turnovers with the only miscue of the game being Curtain's interception.

 
UP NEXT

• Elon will close the regular season by hosting Hampton Saturday at 1 p.m. for Senior Day.
• With a win, Elon would have its third consecutive winning season. That has not happened since the Phoenix had five straight winning seasons from 2007-11.