Elon, N.C. – No. 22 Elon built a 14-3 third quarter lead but the Western Carolina football team rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Phoenix 24-17 Saturday night in front of 5,104 fans at Rhodes Stadium.
 
Elon falls to 1-2 on the season with the loss, while Western Carolina improves to 1-2.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After forcing a Western Carolina punt on the first possession of the game, Elon struck quickly.
• Chandler Brayboy rushed around end for 16 yards and then, two plays later, he caught a 58-yard pass over the top to put Elon ahead 7-0 with 9:49 to play in the opening quarter.
• Western Carolina kicked a 20-yard field goal in the second quarter but Elon took a 7-3 advantage into the halftime break.
• On the first possession of the second half, freshman TJ Thomas Jr. broke free for a 60-yard touchdown jaunt that gave the Phoenix a 14-3 lead.
• Western Carolina was able to cash in on an Elon miscue and scored on a 14-yard drive that brought the Catamounts back within four at 14-10 after three quarters.
• In the fourth, Western Carolina went ahead 17-14 with less than four minutes to play. Elon drove down the field but a potential game-tying field goal was blocked and returned for a game-sealing touchdown.
• Jack Berkowitz made a 33-yard field goal with 14 seconds remaining but Elon failed to recover the onside kick and Western Carolina ran out the clock.

 



NOTES

• Matthew Downing threw for 285 yards and a touchdown.
• Onuma Dieke led the Elon receiver unit with five catches for 75 yards.
• True freshman TJ Thomas Jr. went over 100 yards rushing for the second straight game, finishing with 101 on 14 carries.
• Jeff Yurk, who entered the contest with an FCS-best 51.1 yards per punt, averaged 52.8 yards on six punts.
• Freshman Khamari Brown led Elon with 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He had five tackles and a forced fumble as well.
• Caleb Curtain, Marco Patierno and Ishmel Atkins each had eight tackles.
• Elon has allowed just three points in the first quarter this year.
• True freshman Isaiah Fuhrmann recorded his first career reception in the second quarter.
• Elon fell to 24-18-2 all-time against WCU.
• After compiling a +3 turnover margin in the first two games of the season, Elon committed two turnovers Saturday night and did not force any.

 
UP NEXT

• Elon continues its four-game homestand by hosting ETSU Saturday at 6:00 p.m.