Game Information
Elon (0-2, 0-0 CAA) vs. North Carolina A&T (0-2, 0-0 CAA)
Date: Sept. 16, 2023
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Tickets: ElonTickets.com
TV: My48 (Taylor Durham/Khirey Walker/Hannah Bradey)
Streaming: FloSports (Taylor Durham/Khirey Walker/Hannah Bradley) (
STREAMING LINK)
Audio Broadcast (Smart Device): The Varsity Network App (Max Wallace/Bryson Byrnes) (
LINK)
Audio Broadcast (Web-Based): LeanStream via ElonPhoenix.com (
LINK)
Live Stats: ElonPhoenix.com (
LINK)
Game Notes: Elon | North Carolina A&T
Twitter/X: @ElonFootball
Instagram: @ElonFB
SETTING THE STAGE
- After two road games to open the 2023 season, Elon plays its long-awaited home opener Saturday as the Phoenix hosts Triad rival and new CAA foe North Carolina A&T. Elon looks to extend its Rhodes Stadium record six-game win streak with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
- Elon went 5-0 at home a year ago, the first time the Phoenix has posted an undefeated home season inside Rhodes Stadium. North Carolina A&T, on the other hand, has been very comfortable inside Rhodes Stadium in its program history, winning 4-of-5 games. In total, the Aggies lead the all-time series with Elon 8-4, including a 24-21 victory in 2019 -- the last meeting between the two programs.
- For those not in attendance Saturday evening, the game can be streamed on FloSports or watched on My48, with Taylor Durham, Dr. Khirey Walker and Hannah Bradey on the call.
- The audio broadcast begins with the pregame show at 5:30 p.m. and can be heard for free via The Varsity Network app on your mobile device or by visiting ElonPhoenix.com and clicking on Live Audio on the football schedule.
TONY TRISCIANI BEGINS YEAR FIVE LEADING THE PHOENIX
- On Dec. 17, 2018, Tony Trisciani was named the 23rd head football coach in Elon history. In 2022, he led the program back to the FCS playoffs for the first time in his head coaching tenure.
- Trisciani has been a member of the Phoenix staff the last three times Elon has made the playoffs -- as head coach in 2022 and as defensive coordinator in 2018 and 2017.
- While it is his fifth season as head coach, he is in his eighth year overall with the Phoenix, serving as the defensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018 before his elevation to the lead chair. In 2006, Trisciani coached the defensive backs and ran the special teams for Elon.
- Elon has won at least five games in all three fall campaigns in which he has been the head coach. The 2020 season was competed during a shortened spring campaign due to COVID-19.
- Elon has improved in each fall season under Trisciani, going from five wins in 2019 to six wins in 2021 and then eight wins in 2022.
- Under Trisciani, Elon has won 11 conference games in the past two seasons and is the only program to finish in the top three of the CAA standings in both seasons. That came after being picked 12th and sixth in the preseason polls.
- The 2023 season is Trisciani's 28th year as a football coach and his 18th at a CAA Football institution. Since his return to Elon in 2017, he has helped the program defeat 13 FCS Top 25 programs. As head coach, he has notched seven wins over ranked teams.
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
- Head Coach Tony Trisciani has put together an assistant coaching staff that mixes familiar faces at Elon with new staff.
- Offensive Coordinator Drew Folmar has been at Elon since 2017, while Defensive Coordinator Dovonte Edwards is in his third season at Elon and in his second in his current role.
- Defensive Line Coach Seth Payne has been at Elon since 2019. Special Teams Assistant Mike Nall also rejoined the program prior to the 2019 season. Nall also coached at Elon from 2005-08.
- Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach Milo Austin, Inside Linebackers Coach Casey Vance and Running Backs Coach Nate Harris all joined Elon in time for the 2022 season.
- Elon sees four new faces to the staff for 2023. Offensive Line Coach Alex Stadler, Wide Receivers Coach Kyle Perkins, Tight Ends Coach Matt Ford and Cornerbacks Coach Dominique Battle are all in their first year with the Phoenix.
SCOUTING NORTH CAROLINA A&T
- North Carolina A&T enters Saturday night's game with an 0-2 record, following losses to UAB (35-6) and North Carolina Central (30-16). A&T has thrown for just 67 yards in the first two games of the season.
- Saturday's game will be North Carolina A&T's first CAA game in program history. The Aggies joined the conference following membership in the Big South Conference.
- North Carolina A&T has not beaten itself through the first two weeks, with just one turnover and no interceptions. As mentioned earlier, A&T's passing yardage ranks last in all of FCS. In total, they are only putting up 185.0 yards of offense per contest.
- Taymon Cooke is a dangerous kick returner and has a touchdown on special teams already this year. He is averaging 38.0 yards on kick returns.
- Kenji Christian has 20 carries for 143 yards, averaging 7.2 yards per carry on the season.
TO BE THE BEST, YOU'VE GOT TO BEAT THE BEST
- Heading into the 2023 season, Elon was ranked as having the third most difficult schedule in the country by FCS Analyst, based on opponent win percentage.
- Elon's 11 opponents had a .606 win percentage in 2022, going a combined 80-52. Only Harvard (.648, 68-37) and Nicholls (.610, 83-53) have more difficult schedules.
- Among CAA teams, Campbell (.583, 77-55) has the fifth-tougest schedule in the nation and Delaware (.559, 71-56) is 12th.
- Elon faces four FCS teams currently ranked in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 as well as another two teams receiving votes. The Phoenix also played at Wake Forest, a squad receiving votes in the preseason FBS coaches poll.
- So far in 2023, Elon's 11 opponents have a combined record of 13-9, a .591 win percentage.
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
- Through two games of the 2023 season, Elon has scored just three points in the first half and 41 in the second half.
- After falling behind 24-0 to Wake Forest, Elon outscored the Demon Deacons 17-13 in the season half in the season opener. At Gardner Webb, Elon trailed 13-3 at the half and then outscored the Runnin' Bulldogs 24-21 the rest of the way.
- Elon had just three passing yards and 41 yards of offense in the opening half against Gardner-Webb. But the Phoenix totaled 199 passing yards and 288 yards of offense in the second half.
BAM ON THE MOVE
- When watching Jalen Hampton run the ball, it's easy to see why he has earned the nickname Bam. Unafraid to take on defensive players, Hampton has become one of Elon's most productive running backs in program history in just over one season.
- Hampton became just the third player in Elon's FCS history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, carrying the rock for 1,053 yards in 2022. He's off to an even better start in 2023.
- Hampton carried the ball 15 times for 89 yards against Wake Forest in the season opener, scoring his 11th career touchdown on a 49-yard run in the third quarter. He added 18 carries for 77 yards against Gardner-Webb.
- According to advanced analytic data, Hampton reaching a top speed of 19.5 miles per hour on his touchdown carry against Wake Forest, his fastest clocked speed of the game.
- With 1,219 career rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, Hampton already ranks 10th in both stats in Elon's FCS history (since 1999). He needs 57 yards to pass Reggie Hall (2003-06) for ninth.
- Hampton had four 100-yard games in 2022, topping 130 yards in each of those contests. He was a consistent threat, running for at least 80 yards in eight of the 11 games he played. With 89 against Wake Forest, he now has rushed for at least 80 yards in 9-of-13 games he has played.
- Hampton had a career-high 177 yards against his namesake, Hampton, in 2022 tying his career-high with three rushing touchdowns.
POUND THE ROCK
- Behind an improved offensive line and the emergence of Jalen Hampston, Elon ran for at least 120 yards in 10 of the team's 12 games in 2022.
- Elon rushed for a season-high 240 yards on the ground against then-No. 14 William & Mary. It was the most for the team since running for 255 against The Citadel in the 2019 season.
- Elon topped 200 rushing yards three times last season, doing so against William & Mary as well as Gardner-Webb (205 yards) and Hampton (200 yards).
- In 2021, Elon rushed for 120+ yards as a team just one time, doing so with 146 yards in the season finale against Rhode Island. In fact, the 10 games of 120+ yards rushing are the most for the program since doing so 10 times in 2017 as well.
- Elon averaged 152.3 yards per game rushing, a vast improvement over the 90.4 yards per game the team ran for in 2021. It was the team's highest rushing average in a season since going for 199.5 in 2018.
- Despite playing a Power Five team in the 2023 season opener, Elon still ran for 106 yards as a team, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. The Phoenix followed that with 127 yards against Gardner-Webb and is averaging 116.5 per game thus far.
WINNING IN THE TRENCHES
- Under Head Coach Tony Trisciani, Elon has been nearly unbeatable when winning in the trenches on at least one side of the ball.
- Elon is 6-0 when rushing for at least 200 yards in a game under Trisciani and 8-1 when holding opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing. Ironically, Elon's first loss in that scenario came in week one against Wake Forest, as the Demon Deacons had just 98 yards on 2.8 yards per carry.
- Elon reached both milestones against Gardner-Webb in 2022, rushing for 205 yards and holding the Runnin' Bulldogs to just 43 yards on the ground.
CURTAIN CALL
- Redshirt sophomore Caleb Curtain had a solid season in 2022, getting his feet wet with 12 tackles, an interception and a sack. But he made his mark in the 2023 season opener.
- Curtain had four tackles, a sack, and most importantly, a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown at Wake Forest.
- Curtain's interception return was Elon's first pick-six since Greg Liggs Jr. had one in 2019. Liggs Jr. is Elon's career interception leader, with 15, and single-season interception leader, with eight in 2019.
- According to analytic tracking data, Curtain reached a top speed of 20.58 miles per hour on the interception return, his fastest reading of the game.
PEARSON IS A PROBLEM
- Redshirt senior defensive end Marvin Pearson will have opposing offensive line coaches scratching their heads all year long. He was dominant against Wake Forest and is considering Elon's top NFL prospect this year.
- Pearson recorded seven tackles, three for loss, and a sack in week one at Wake Forest. His sack came on Wake Forest's second drive as the Demon Deacons were facing a third-and-short and forced a Wake Forest punt.
- Pearson also had a three-yard tackle for loss on another third-and-short play in the first quarter and added a fourth quarter TFL to stall out another Wake Forest drive.
CAZEEM THE DREAM
- Starting opposite Marvin Pearson at defensive end, sophomore Cazeem Moore makes it very difficult for offensive lines to protect the quarterback.
- As a true freshman a year ago, Moore was just too talented to redshirt and he played in all 12 games, starting the final two. He was second on the team with 4.0 sacks and added four quarterback hurries.
- In the 2023 season opener at Wake Forest, Moore was again a factor, posting three tackles and a sack. His fourth quarter sack came on third down to shut down a Wake Forest drive.
- Against Gardner-Webb, he had three more stops, a TFL and a pair of quarterback hurries.
JOHNSON GETS HIS MOMENT
- Junior defensive lineman Josh Johnson often gets overshadowed by guys like Marvin Pearson and Cazeem Moore, but he got his moment in the sun (or dark since it was a night game) Saturday at Gardner-Webb.
- Johnson posted his fifth career sack in the contest but he came up really big when Elon rolled the dice on a fake punt. Johnson took the short snap and rumbled 35 yards for a first down on the first and only carry of his career, proving that defensive linemen can be versatile and add to the offensive stats as well.
DEION MAKES HEADLINES BUT SO DOES BO
- Deion Sanders and his son Shedeur may be grabbing national headlines at Colorado, but another Sanders is leading the defense much like Deion did in his playing days.
- Senior captain Bo Sanders has a team high 16 tackles, posting nine against Wake Forest, along with two pass break-ups and a quarterback hurry.
- Deion was also a factor in the return game during his playing days and Bo does the same. He is averaging 8.3 yards on three punt returns in 2023.
NO LINEBACKERS? NO PROBLEM
- Elon graduated all of its starting linebackers from 2022, but redshirt sophomore Nick Veloz, redshirt freshman Brandon Tyson, and redshirt freshman Marco Patierno have filled the gap nicely.
- Veloz was set to make an impact a year ago but was limited to just four games in 2022. He had a career-best nine tackles against Wake Forest, along with a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry. He had three more tackles and a pass break-up against Gardner-Webb.
- Tyson had seven tackles against Wake Forest and then jumped on a loose ball late in the fourth quarter against Gardner-Webb for a fumble recovery that started Elon's game-tying touchdown drive.
- After recording three tackles against Wake Forest, Patierno was all over the field against Gardner-Webb, finishing with seven tackles and 0.5 tackle for loss.
FILLING BIG SHOES
- True freshman kicker Jack Berkowitz has huge shoes to fill in replacing Skyler Davis, the best kicker in Elon history and the best kicker in all of FCS in 2022. But Berkowitz has been flawless so far, making every kick he has attempted.
- Berkowitz stepped onto a college football field for the first time in front of a sold-out Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium at Wake Forest and went 2-for-2 on extra points and 1-for-1 on field goals. His 28-yard field goal came with just one second remaining in the game and split the uprights.
- The true freshman followed that up by making both of his field goal attempts at Gardner-Webb and all three extra points. He connected on a career-long 39-yarder late in the first quarter of that game.
ROMENICK KEEPS BOOTING BOMBS
- Transfer punter Kyle Romenick made the most of his first game at Elon, punting eight times at Wake Forest, averaging 43.4 yards per punt. He dropped one inside the 20 and had a pair of 50-yarders.
- He followed that up with a 44.5 yard average on six punts at Gardner-Webb. He again had a pair of 50-yarders (including a season-best 61-yarder) and dropped two inside the 20.
- Romenick's season-long 61-yard punt at Gardner-Webb flipped the field and was downed at the 4-yard line.
- At 43.9 yards per punt this season, Romenick ranks 16th nationally in punting average. Within the CAA, he is second behind only UAlbany's Tyler Pastula at 46.8 yards per punt.
BONNER BREAKS OUT
- Redshirt senior wide receiver Jordan Bonner has patiently waited for an opportunity to be featured in the Elon offense and he has made the most of his opportunity so far in 2023.
- Bonner had a team-high seven catches at Wake Forest, easily surpassing his previous career-best of four receptions. He followed that up with four more catches at Gardner-Webb.
- On the season, Bonner leads Elon with 11 catches and 101 receiving yards. He also has a touchdown reception, which he caught on the opening drive of the second half at Gardner-Webb.
- After averaging 1.7 receptions per game in 2022, Bonner is having a career year with 5.5 catches per contest.
DOWNING UP THE DEPTH CHART
- Graduate transfer Matthew Downing is projected to start at quarterback Saturday against North Carolina A&T.
- Downing started in the season opener, but struggled at Wake Forest. He was replaced by Justin Allen, who sparked the Elon offense. Downing then replaced Allen to start the second half at Gardner-Webb, and threw for 199 yards and three TDs in the final 30 minutes.
- Downing is well-traveled, beginning his career at Georgia. As a true freshman in 2018, he played in four games for the Bulldogs.
- After transferring to TCU, Downing redshirted the 2019 season before playing in seven games over two years from 2020-21. He earned his first collegiate start in the 2020 season opener against Iowa State, going 11-of-21 for 158 yards and touchdown.
- Following his time at TCU, Downing transferred to Louisiana Tech, playing in four games in 2022, going 33-of-62 with three touchdowns and 356 yards passing. He suffered a season-ending knee injury with the Bulldogs.
THE RED ZONE IS FOR SCORING
- Both Elon and Elon's opponents have been highly effective when reaching the red zone so far in 2023.
- Elon has been inside its opponents' 20-yard line six times and has come away with five scores, including three touchdowns. The Phoenix did have one interception at Wake Forest in the red zone.
- Elon's opponents are now 11-for-11 when reaching the red zone, scoring six touchdowns and knocking home five field goals. Dating back to 2022, opponents have scored in 17 straight trips to the red zone.
EXPERIENCE ON THE LINE
- Elon returns four players on the offensive line who combined to start 48 games in 2022 (all 12 games for each of the four).
- Zane Gilbert and Jabril Williams each have 28 career starts under their belt. Gilbert has started 28 in a row and Williams 26 straight dating back to the 2021 spring season. Caleb Krings has also made every start (25) over the past three seasons and Kevin Burkett has started 23 consecutive games.
- Jack Cutler joins the quartet on the offensive line. He earned his fourth career start Saturday at Gardner-Webb.
- In total, the five members of the offensive line first unit have started 111 career games.
SEEING 200/200
- In Elon's 30-24 win over Gardner-Webb last year, the Phoenix offense totaled 205 yards rushing and 279 yards passing. Elon followed that up with 240 yards rushing and 207 passing against William & Mary.
- Those numbers have proven rare for Elon. It's the first time in the program's FCS history that the Phoenix reached 200 yards rushing and passing in back-to-back games.
- Under Head Coach Tony Trisciani, Elon has only reached 200/200 one other time. That came in a 35-28 win over The Citadel in 2019 when the team had 255 yards rushing and 226 passing.
PRESEASON ALL-CAA ANNOUNCED
- Five members of the Elon Football team were named CAA Preseason All-Conference, as voted on by the league's head coaches. Tight end Johncarlos Miller II, safety Bo Sanders, and specialist Chandler Brayboy were named All-CAA. Running back Jalen Hampton and offensive lineman Jabril Williams earned honorable mention status.
- Among other preseason All-CAA polls, Phil Steele named seven Phoenix to his teams. Hampton, Miller II and Sanders were all named to the second team, while Marvin Pearson earned third team recognition. Kevin Burkett, Cazeem Moore and Jaidyn Denis were named fourth team.
- Bluebloods named Hampton, Miller II, Williams and Sanders to their second team preseason All-CAA list.
GENERATING TURNOVERS
- Under the tutelage of Defensive Coordinator Dovonte Edwards, Elon has become one of the best in the country at forcing turnovers, particularly fumbles.
- With 13 fumble recoveries, Elon ended the 2022 season ranked No. 7 in the country in that category. In total, the Phoenix generated 21 turnovers with a +0.58 turnover margin, ranking No. 21 in FCS Football.
- Those turnovers proved to be critical as Elon went 7-0 in 2022 when forcing more turnovers than their opponent in a game.
- Elon has again begun forcing fumbles in 2023. The Phoenix had two fumble recoveries at Gardner-Webb. Jaidyn Denis forced both and recovered one. Brandon Tyson had the other fumble recovery.
SACK MASTERS
- A year ago, Elon average 2.83 sacks per contest, ranking No. 13 in FCS Football. With a veteran line that boasts just one senior on the two-deep -- Marvin Pearson -- Elon has potential to again be one of the best nationally.
- Against a Power Five offensive line in the season opener, Elon had four quarterback sacks with four different players registering at least one. Pearson was one of those and he also finished with three tackles for loss. Caleb Curtain, who added a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown, Cazeem Moore and Chazz Harley all added sacks.
- Elon is 9-1 in the tenure of Head Coach Tony Trisciani when recording four or more sacks in a game. Ironically, the Wake Forest game was the first time the Phoenix had lost a game while recording four sacks.
FIRST-TIME STARTERS
- In the season opener at Wake Forest, four players made their first Elon starts -- two on offense and two on defense.
- Matthew Downing got the starting nod at quarterback. As a graduate transfer, he had earned starts at previous schools, but earned his first Elon start.
- Wide receiver Christian Da-Silva started his first game as well, while linebacker Brandon Tyson and defensive back Caleb Curtain picked up their first starting nods on defense.
- Redshirt freshmen Jesse Powell II and Senquavious Alsobrooks earned their first career starts Saturday at Gardner-Webb. Powell II started in the spur position and Alsobrooks started as cornerback.
HIGH FIVE
- Discounting the abbreviated 2021 spring campaign, Elon has recorded at least five overall wins and four conference wins in four consecutive fall seasons.
- With four straight fall seasons of at least five overall wins and four conference wins, it equals the longest such streak the program has had in FCS. Elon also accomplished that feat from 2007-10.
EARNING THAT DEGREE
- Seventeen current players on the Elon football team already have their degrees.
- Justin Allen, Jordan Bonner, Chandler Brayboy, Carson Crisp, Jack Cutler, Wayne Dixie III, Matthew Downing, Zane Gilbert, Chazz Harley, Caleb Ogunmola, Marvin Pearson, Kyle Romenick, Bo Sanders, Trey West, Antonio White, Ryan Wilkins and Jabril Williams all have their degrees.
PHOENIX IN THE NFL
- Former Elon offensive lineman Oli Udoh is set to begin his fifth season in the NFL in 2023. He has played in every game and started 17 over the course of the last two seasons and is currently listed as the back-up at right tackle.
- Elon saw numerous members of the 2022 team earn professional opportunities. Defensive back Cole Coleman spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, while kicker Skyler Davis was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Quarterback Matthew McKay had workouts with the Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots, and wide receiver Bryson Daughtry spent time with the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League.
PURA VIDA
- As part of Elon's commitment to diversity and global engagement, members of the Elon Football team spent a week in March in Costa Rica.
- The team's trip included many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, such as a wildlife expedition, football clinics, investing in the lives of local youth, hiking around an active volcano, swimming in waterfalls, beach cleaning, jet-ski riding, ATV adventures and snorkeling
-- ELON --
