ELON, N.C. – An aura of excitement surrounds the Elon University football team following a return to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2018 and a perfect 5-0 home record in 2022.

"We are a highly motivated football team," head coach Tony Trisciani said. "I have seen a lot of growth within our program over the last year and we have proven that we can contend for a championship."

Last season marked the team's best since 2017 and it secured a second straight top-three finish in the CAA for the Phoenix. For Trisciani, it was his best campaign since taking over as the program's head coach following the 2018 season and the team is looking to build on that success this fall.

"It is like Groundhog Day for us here in practice," Trisciani said. "We are developing our skills, installing our schemes, correcting mistakes and growing every day while also competing."

NEW QUARTERBACK

The 2023 season will be the third in a row that the Phoenix will have with a new commander under center. To begin the season, Matthew Downing is the projected starter. Redshirt junior Justin Allen will serve as the backup with redshirt freshman William Lankford behind him.

Elon will be the fourth home for Downing, who has seen the field for Georgia, TCU and Louisiana Tech. Downing has completed 61 of 106 passes for 638 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions in his career. The Phoenix started a transfer quarterback last season, as Matthew McKay tossed 21 touchdowns and over 2,700 yards a season ago after transferring from North Carolina State.

Allen enters as the most experienced quarterback on Elon's roster, appearing in 10 games as both a starter and a backup for the Phoenix throughout his career. In those appearances, he accumulated 355 passing yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. 

While he sits at third on the depth chart at the moment, Lankford impressed in the spring with his legs and his arm.

No matter who leads the offense in the 2023 season, Trisciani expects the best.

"We put a lot on our quarterback," Trisciani said. "We need a quarterback. That is what we have been recruiting, and that is what we have in our program."

VETERAN OFFENSE

In contrast to the new personnel at quarterback, the rest of the offense will feature names familiar to the Phoenix faithful both at skill positions and on the offensive line. 

"It is critically important the experience that we have around our quarterback," Trisciani said

Elon's offensive line returns four starters after surrendering just 20 sacks a year ago. In the backfield, Jalen Hampton returns as the feature back after a standout redshirt freshman season. In 2022, Hampton recorded 1,083 scrimmage yards to go with 10 touchdowns.

"Jalen is a hard worker. He puts his head down and runs hard," offensive lineman Jabril Williams said. "We are looking for another season like that. You love to have it as an offensive lineman."

The Phoenix will be without their two leading receivers from 2022 – receivers Bryson Daughtry and Jackson Parham. Instead, returning contributors in both the wide receiver and tight end rooms will look to make big leaps to replace the lost production.

Leading the effort will be redshirt junior Chandler Brayboy and redshirt senior Jordan Bonner. The two have combined for over 1,500 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in their careers with the maroon and gold. The Phoenix also welcomes back tight end Johncarlos Miller II, who earned preseason All-CAA honors. 

"If you are going to break in a new quarterback, you want to have that support around them," Trisciani said.

NEW-LOOK DEFENSE

On the other side of the ball, the Phoenix only returns four starters across its defense and special teams. Last year, Elon finished third in overall defense in the CAA, allowing 21.3 points per game to opposing offenses.

Defensive back Bo Sanders, who finished last season third on the team in tackles, will return as the lone preseason all-conference nominee on the defensive side of the ball for the Phoenix. Sanders said he expects his teammates to make the most of the opportunities and continue to execute.

"If I was to make a list of people who impress me, I'd be here all day," Sanders said.

In 2022, the Phoenix was led on defense by the now graduated First-Team All-American linebacker Marcus Hillman, who led the team in tackles (83), tackles for loss (18.5) and sacks (8.5). Hillman's "spur" role will be taken by defensive back Dylan Tucker, who missed all of last season with an injury.

"He is a talented defensive back for us," Trisciani said. "Marcus did a great job at that spot for us last year, but Dylan is really talented and we think he will be able to sit right in there and be an impact player."

BRIGHT LIGHTS

After an impressive season at home in 2022 with an undefeated record at Rhodes Stadium, the Phoenix hopes to replicate the hometown success this season.

"It is really important that we win in front of our people," Trisciani said. "We want to defend our home field."

The Phoenix will play at home five times in the 2023 regular season, including a Saturday night home opener against newly minted CAA member North Carolina A&T on Sept. 16th.

"We have been able to get some good crowds and community support," Trisciani said. "We want to continue to build on it, but it has been a great atmosphere here for our kids to play."

The Phoenix will open their season on the road against a formidable opponent in the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

Home Cooking – The Phoenix will remain in North Carolina for their first six games of the season. The team's first out-of-state matchup will be on Oct. 14 against the Villanova Wildcats.

Expanded Competition – The CAA will feature 15 members after adding Campbell and North Carolina A&T for 2023. The Phoenix will face both teams this season. 

Preseason Stars – The CAA announced that Johncarlos Miller II, Bo Sanders, and Chandler Brayboy were named preseason all-conference, while Jalen Hampton and Jabril Williams earned honorable mention status.
 

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'Rising Phoenix' is a new student-led initiative to cover Elon Athletics. Through innovative content creation and storytelling, Elon University students will have the opportunity to highlight the moments, people and events that make an impact, leveraging the athletic department's various web and social media platforms for distribution. Follow Rising Phoenix on Twitter (@EURisingPhoenix) and Instagram (@elonrisingphoenix). Interested in joining this initiative as a content creator (video, graphics, writing, storytelling, or more)? Contact Jacob Kisamore at jkisamore@elon.edu.

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