Elon, N.C. – The Elon University football team was among teams receiving votes in the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25, as announced Monday. Elon received 61 votes to earn the 33^rd-most votes in the poll.
 
A year ago, Elon had just eight votes in the Stats Perform Preseason Top 25 poll but rose to as high as No. 12 in the country, heading into the FCS playoffs. The Phoenix were ranked No. 17 in the end-of-season Stats Perform Top 25 poll, the program's second-highest final national ranking in program history.
 
Elon's schedule has been selected as one of the most difficult in the country in 2023 and the preseason poll bears that out as five of the team's 10 FCS opponents are ranked and six received votes.
 
After playing at Wake Forest out of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) to open the season Aug. 31, Elon will play at No. 25 Gardner-Webb on Sept. 9. After hosting North Carolina A&T for the home opener Sept. 16 and playing at Campbell, Sept. 23, the Phoenix will host No. 4 William & Mary for Family Weekend on Sept. 30.
 
No. 19 North Carolina Central will be next on the docket with a home game Oct. 7 before Elon heads on the road to face Villanova, a team receiving eight votes, on Oct. 14. The Phoenix hosts Monmouth Oct. 21 for Homecoming before playing at No. 22 Delaware on Nov. 4. Elon's final ranked opponent will be Nov. 11 as the Phoenix face No. 18 Richmond on the road. The season finale will be Nov. 18 at home against Hampton.
 
In total, five CAA teams were ranked, while both Elon and Villanova were among teams receiving votes. Outside of No. 4 William & Mary, No. 18 Richmond and No. 22 Delaware, the CAA also boasts No. 11 New Hampshire and No. 21 Rhode Island.
 
SINGLE-GAME/SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Single-game tickets went on sale Monday for each of Elon's five home games in the 2023 season. Fans can purchase either single-game tickets or season tickets by visiting ElonTickets.com or calling 336-278-6750. E-mail elontickets@elon.edu for more information.
 
ELON ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF PHOENIX FAN FEST
Phoenix Fan Fest is the latest addition to the Elon football tailgating scene and will be open for all five home games during the 2023 season. Pregame entertainment will begin four hours prior to kickoff and will include tailgate games, face painting, inflatable games and bounce house, and a jumbo video screen to watch College Gameday and games around the country. For more information, CLICK HERE.
 
WAKE FOREST TAILGATE INFORMATION
The Elon football team opens the season on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Wake Forest with a kick-off time scheduled for 7 p.m. The Phoenix Club and the Office of Alumni Engagement will be sponsoring a pregame tailgate from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on the southeast corner of Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium (between the baseball and tennis complexes). President Connie Ledoux Book will welcome new Director of Athletics Jenn Strawley during the tailgate and all Phoenix alumni, parents and fans are invited to the tailgate. Pricing for the tailgate is $20 and fans can get a game ticket and admission to the tailgate for just $50. CLICK HERE to register today!