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Team Offensive Huddle against Towson
Elon Athletics/Nicole Frechette

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Elon Welcomes Villanova On Homecoming Weekend

Phoenix Going For Fifth Straight Home Win

ELON – Elon returns home Saturday to host the Villanova Wildcats. It's Homecoming weekend at Rhodes Stadium and kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET. 
 
The Phoenix looks to remain at the top of the CAA after back-to-back wins to start conference play. Elon has won six consecutive CAA games dating back to last season.  
 
GAME INFORMATION 
Date: Oct. 11, 2025 
Time: 2 p.m. 
Television/Streaming: FloCollege/My48 (PxP: Taylor Durham / Analyst: Dr. Khirey Walker) 
Audio Broadcast (Smart Device): The Varsity Network App (PxP: Grace Stetler/ Analyst: Rylee Marchand)  
Audio Broadcast (Web-Based): LeanStream via ElonPhoenix.com  
Live Stats: StatBroadcast 
Games Notes: Elon | Villanova 
 
SETTING THE STAGE 
  • Elon and Villanova will meet for the fifth time on Saturday. The Phoenix and Wildcats never played until Elon joined the CAA.  
  • Elon trails the all-time series to Villanova 1-3 including an 0-2 record at Rhodes Stadium. The two last met in 2023 when the Wildcats shut out the Phoenix 21-0 in Philadelphia.  
  • Villanova enters the matchup with a 3-2 record following back-to-back CAA wins over William & Mary and New Hampshire.  
  • Mark Ferrante is in his ninth season as the head coach at Villanova. Ferrante has a career record of 60-35 at Villanova.  
  • The Wildcats enter the matchup with the Phoenix after a convincing win over New Hampshire. Villanova scored 30 straight points en route to a 37-7 win on the road.  
 
 
CAA Success  
  • Over the last four seasons, the Phoenix have become accustomed to over performing CAA preseason expectations. Elon has played their best when it is a conference opponent across from them.  
  • Since 2021, the Phoenix has a combined record of 24-10 in CAA play. Elon ranks second among active members in both CAA wins and winning percentage over the last four seasons.  
  • Elon finished their 2024 season on a four-game, CAA winning streak. Elon averaged 38 points per game during that stretch despite averaging less than 20 in the eight games prior.  
  • Rhodes Stadium has become one of the toughest places to play in the CAA. Over the last 16 home, conference games, the Phoenix are 13-3. Over the last three seasons, Elon has lost just two home, CAA games. The Phoenix went unbeaten in the league at home in both 2022 and 2023. 
 
 
Yurk Doin' Work 
  • Under the tutelage of Mike Nall, Elon has become a destination location for kickers and punters at the FCS level. Specifically at punter, Jeff Yurk has developed into one of the strongest punters in the nation across all levels. 
  • Yurk had a career day against Western Carolina earlier this season. Yurk was named the National Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance. He averaged better than 55 yards per punt against the Catamounts in a record-setting effort.  
  • The redshirt senior is tops in the FCS with 12 punts of 50 or more yards.  
  • Prior to the 2025 season, Yurk was named a Preseason All-CAA and an FCS Central Preseason First Team All-American.  
  • The improvement over the course of his career has been eye-opening. As a freshman in 2021, Yurk averaged 37.7 yards per punt before improving that average to 44.1 as a sophomore in 2022. After sitting out 2023, Yurk finished the 2024 season with an average of 47.9 yards per punt. 
 
 
 
SUPPORT THE PHOENIX 
Fans can support Elon Athletics through the Phoenix Club. To purchase 2025 tickets, visit TicketMaster.com/ElonTickets. 
  
STAY POSTED 
For further coverage of Elon Football, follow the Phoenix on X (@ElonFootball) and Instagram (@ElonFB). 
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Jeff Yurk

#97 Jeff Yurk

P
6' 2"
Redshirt Senior

Players Mentioned

Jeff Yurk

#97 Jeff Yurk

6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
P