Elon, N.C. – The Elon University football team scored 30 points in the second quarter and blew out Hampton Saturday for Senior Day, 51-14. The Phoenix's 44-point first half explosion was the most points in a half by an Elon team in 15 years.
 
With the win, Elon ends the regular season with a record of 6-5. The Phoenix finished just one game shy of a CAA Football crown with a mark of 6-2 in league play. Hampton ends the season at 5-6 overall and 3-5 in conference action.
 
Matthew Downing threw four touchdown passes and the Elon defense scored a pair of second quarter touchdowns during the onslaught.


 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Elon got things started quickly as Chandler Brayboy returned the opening kickoff 56 yards. On the first play from scrimmage, Matthew Downing found Jamarien Dalton for a 33-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead just 19 seconds into play.
• After forcing a punt, Elon started at its own 10-yard line. The Phoenix picked up two first downs and then Downing hit Brayboy for a 60-yard touchdown that made it 14-0.
• Hampton used a 10-play, 86-yard drive to score a touchdown and cut the deficit in half, but as the second half began, a close game became a blowout.
• Downing threw his third touchdown pass of the game to cap an 80-yard drive as he hit Christian Da-Silva for 33 yards and a 21-7 lead.
• On Hampton's next drive, Bo Sanders had a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown that made it 28-7.
• After the kickoff, Elon scored on the very next play. Brandon Tyson forced a fumble and Marco Patierno took the loose ball 23 yards for a touchdown and a 34-7 advantage.
• The two teams punted on each of the next three possessions but Jack Berkowitz made a 39-yard field goal with 3:37 remaining in the half for the 37-7 lead.
• After stopping Hampton again, Elon took over with 1:07 to play in the period and Downing connected with Johncarlos Miller II on a 53-yard strike for a 44-7 advantage at the break.
• Hampton scored early in the second half to get within 30 but the Elon defense never allowed the Pirates to gain momentum. The Phoenix closed the scoring in the fourth quarter as Wayne Dixie III rushed for a 27-yard touchdown to make it 51-14.

 
STATS AND NOTES

• Elon recognized 26 seniors prior to the game, as well as four senior student assistants.
• The 51 points are the most for an Elon team since defeating Shaw 55-26 on Sept. 11, 2010.
• The 44 points in the first half are the most for an Elon team in a half since scoring 52 in the first half of a 66-12 win over Presbyterian on Sept. 13, 2008.  
• With a record of 6-5, Elon has posted three consecutive winning seasons for the first time since winning four straight from 2007-10. The Phoenix has gone 17-7 in CAA Football play during that span.
• At 6-2 in conference play, Elon has won six conference games in back-to-back seasons. The Phoenix has finished one game out of first in the league standings in each of those years.
• Elon is 10-1 in its last 11 games inside Rhodes Stadium.
• Elon scored 17 touchdowns in the final five games of the season. Fifteen of those touchdowns came from 27 yards away or further.
• Elon improved to 2-0 all-time against Hampton.
• Elon won the final game of its regular season for the fourth straight fall season.
• For the third straight year, Elon ended the regular season higher than preseason predictions. The Phoenix was selected fifth in the preseason poll and tied for fourth. In 2022, Elon was selected sixth and tied for third. In 2021, Elon was picked last in the 12-team league and ended in third.
• Matthew Downing with 10-of-18 for 261 yards and four touchdowns. Over the final four games of the season, he averaged 294.0 passing yards and had 12 touchdowns to no interceptions. He finished the year with 107 passing attempts without an interception.
• Chandler Brayboy's 60-yard touchdown reception was his fourth of the year from at least 55 yards away, all of which came in CAA victories.
• Jalen Hampton had 11 carries for 66 yards. Through two seasons, he has 1,933 career rushing yards for the Phoenix.
• Hampton entered the game averaging more than 230 yards per game rushing. Elon held the Pirates to just 63 yards on 40 carries.
• Johncarlos Miller II finished with two catches for 57 yards. His 453 receiving yards this season are an FCS program record for a tight end.
• Wayne Dixie III carried the ball seven times for a career-high 89 yards.
• Jamarien Dalton had a career-high 67 yards receiving on three catches.
• Kyle Romenick averaged 52.7 yards on three punts with a long of 56 yards.
• Brandon Tyson led Elon with 11 tackles. He added 2.0 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
• Marvin Pearson had two tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry.
• Bo Sanders and Marco Patierno each scored the first touchdowns of their careers defensively. On offense, Christian Da-Silva had the first TD of his career.