ELON – The Elon football team returns to Rhodes Stadium Saturday to host Sacred Heart in its CAA home opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET.  
 
The Phoenix enters the weekend 2-1 (0-1 CAA) following a 31-10 loss to No. 8/13 Rhode Island last Saturday. Elon is aiming for a second straight CAA home win and the 14th in its last 18 CAA home games.
 
GAME INFORMATION
·       Date: Sept. 19, 2026
·       Time: 6 p.m. ET
·       Location: Rhodes Stadium | Elon, N.C.
·       Television/Streaming: FloCollege/My48 (PxP: Taylor Durham / Analyst: Dr. Khirey Walker)
·       Radio: Varsity Network App (PxP: Jack Marcus / Analyst: Mia Zebley)
·       Live Stats: StatBroadcast
·       Game Notes: Elon | Sacred Heart
 
SETTING THE STAGE

• The matchup will be the first all-time meeting between the Phoenix and Pioneers. Sacred Heart enters the weekend 0-2 (0-1) in its first season as a member of CAA Football. The Pioneers opened the year with a 31-24 conference loss at Monmouth before falling 37-10 at UMass. Sacred Heart was picked 10th in the CAA preseason poll.
• The Phoenix enters the weekend 2-1 after opening the season with victories over Glenville State and Davidson before falling 31-10 at No. 8/13 Rhode Island. Elon has outscored opponents 90-38 through three games and returns home for the first time since a 42-7 victory over Glenville State in the season opener.
• Brodie Carroll has continued his preseason Buck Buchanan Watch List form to start 2026. Carroll has led the Elon defense with 21 total tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss and a sack through three games.
• The Elon passing game has shared the wealth to a number of talented receivers to begin the 2026 campaign. The Phoenix has been led by tight end Dylan Magazu who is coming off a three-catch, 56-yard performance against Rhode Island. Four receivers are averaging 30-plus receiving yards and four different receivers have caught a touchdown pass in the first three games.

 
DOMINATING D                           

• Elon's defense has set the tone through the first three games of the 2026 season, helping the Phoenix to a 2-1 start while allowing just 38 points. Elon opened the year by allowing seven points to Glenville State before shutting out Davidson 38-0, the program's first shutout since 2018. The Phoenix followed by holding No. 8/13 Rhode Island without a touchdown for the first three quarters and took a 3-3 tie into the fourth quarter.
• Even in the 31-10 loss at Rhode Island, the defense limited the Rams to 286 total yards, 15 first downs and 108 rushing yards. Rhode Island scored 21 of its 31 points following Elon turnovers, including an interception returned for a touchdown. The Phoenix defense twice took the field following first-half turnovers in Elon territory and forced three-and-outs on both possessions, helping Elon take a 3-0 lead into halftime.
• Through three games, Elon has recorded 18 tackles for loss and three sacks while allowing just 35 first downs. The Phoenix has been particularly effective at getting off the field, holding opponents to just under 24% on third-down attempts. Elon held Davidson to 3-of-16 on third down and 2-of-6 on fourth down in the victory over the Wildcats.

 
LIGHTS, KAM-ERA, ACTION  

• Freshman Kamerin McDowell-Moore has emerged as one of Elon's top offensive weapons through the first three games of his collegiate career. McDowell-Moore has established a new career high in rushing yards in each game, going from 75 yards against Glenville State to 88 yards and two touchdowns at Davidson before breaking the century mark with 117 yards on 23 carries at No. 8/13 Rhode Island.
• McDowell-Moore has totaled 280 rushing yards through three games, averaging 93.3 yards per contest. He has averaged 5.4 yards per carry and leads the Phoenix in rushing. His 117-yard performance at Rhode Island marked the first 100-yard game of his collegiate career.
• The Tarboro native earned CAA Rookie of the Week honors following his performance at Davidson. McDowell-Moore rushed for 88 yards on 14 carries and scored the first two touchdowns of his career in the 38-0 victory. He became the first Elon true freshman with two rushing touchdowns in a game since Malcolm Summers against William & Mary in 2015.

 
RHODES RUN                  

• Rhodes Stadium has developed into one of the toughest places for CAA opponents to play. Elon enters its first home conference game of 2026 having won 13 of its last 17 CAA games at Rhodes Stadium, a .765 winning percentage.
• Elon continued that success in 2025, opening CAA play at home with a 41-20 victory over Hampton. Elon closed its 2025 home schedule with a 55-17 victory over North Carolina A&T, scoring its most points in a CAA game since joining the conference.
• The Phoenix was particularly dominant in 2022 and 2023, going a perfect 8-0 in CAA home games over those two seasons. The run has included victories over some of the CAA's top teams. Elon defeated No. 17 Richmond and No. 25 Delaware at Rhodes Stadium during its 2022 FCS playoff season before knocking off No. 5 William & Mary 14-6 at home in 2023.

 
 
SUPPORT THE PHOENIX
2026 Elon Football tickets are on sale now at ElonTickets.com. Fans can support Elon Athletics through the Phoenix Club.
 
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