ELON – The Elon football team rode a strong rushing performance and dominant defensive effort to victory against the Hampton Pirates on Saturday. The 24-6 win broke a four-game losing streak for the Phoenix, getting the team back on track heading into the final stretch of the season.
 
The rushing attack carried the day for the offense, punching in all three of Elon's touchdowns. Running back Kamerin McDowell-Moore took center stage, picking up 171 rushing yards, his second highest mark this season and sixth straight game over the century mark. His two rushing touchdowns also boosted him to second place for single-season rushing scores in Elon's FCS history with 10.
 
McDowell-Moore, who was named CAA Rookie of the Week on Monday, had the pleasure of kicking off and closing out the scoring for Elon's offense. His first touchdown put the Phoenix on the board early, taking a direct snap at the goal line and walking in untouched for six. His second score was more akin to the highlight reel plays he's made all season.
 
Midway through the fourth quarter, McDowell-Moore took a carry and burst through the line and into the open field. He then showed off his treasure chest of ball carrier moves, using a hard plant and juke to send a Hampton defender flying before pulling out a stiff arm and spin move en route to a dagger touchdown.
 
"It was just instinct," McDowell-Moore said. "I was hyped, but I just kept it pushing."
 
The Tarboro native has been the engine of the Phoenix offense all season and that was no different against the Pirates. He ended the game with 30 total touches, and his 188 yards from scrimmage accounted for almost half of Elon's offensive productivity. However, despite his impressive resume, he gave the credit to his support system.
 
"I wouldn't say I'm the engine," McDowell-Moore said. "I have to give it to my offensive line first. Without them, I'm nothing. And all my coaches trust me with the ball."
 
While it was a team effort for Elon defensively as well, one player showed up again and again in the game's biggest moments. Redshirt junior safety Tony Hart III was the x-factor for the Phoenix, and his impact checked off almost every category on the stat sheet.
 
Hart opened the game with a statement, flying off the edge on third down to bury the quarterback for a sack and force a three-and-out on the opening drive. Later in the first half, he struck again, this time lurking over the middle of the field and picking off a pass for his first interception of the season. However, his best play came at a decisive moment in the second half.
 
After taking the football away late in the third quarter, Hampton had momentum and was in position to potentially take the lead with a touchdown drive. However, on the first play of the series, Hart came flying downhill and delivered a massive hit on the ball carrier, jarring the football loose. The defensive back then recognized the pigskin on the turf and pounced, securing a takeaway that would eventually turn into a touchdown for the Phoenix.
 
"My coach was getting on my tail about me fitting that play because I used to fit it slow," Hart said. "So, when I saw it and knew we were in that type of coverage, I was like, 'Yeah, I'm going to fit this fast.' I trusted my ability to fit it and then made the tackle."
 
Stopping the run was no problem for the Phoenix, which limited the Pirates to just 75 rushing yards and 2.6 yards per carry. Elon's dominance in the trenches was due in large part to its edge duo of Trey Woods and Rylan Shibley, who each had four tackles. Woods made several plays chasing Hampton's quarterback near the line of scrimmage while Shibley flustered the opposing quarterback whenever he dropped back, eventually finding paydirt with a sack to end the first half.
 
"What they bring is disruption," head coach Tony Trisciani said. "They get off the ball, that whole group up there. Coach JB Lageman is rolling guys in and keeping fresh bodies, and they're pushing hard and just being really disruptive. It's tough to get to the linebackers because of how disruptive we are up front."
 
Disruptiveness on defense will need to be Elon's calling card heading into its next matchup against Campbell, who leads the CAA in total points and yards. Trisciani feels this win will give the Phoenix confidence to face its in-state foe.
 
"We're hungry," Trisciani said. "We have an opportunity to play a ranked team, one of the top teams in our league and an in-state regional rival. It's a big football game next week. I expect us to come out with a bunch of energy, prepared for this football game. I expect us to keep playing defense the way we are."
 
The Phoenix will be back at Rhodes Stadium on Nov. 14 to take on Campbell at 2 p.m.