Elon University Athletics

ELON – Luke Barnes drilled a game-winning, career-long 52-yard field goal with 1:19 remaining to give the Elon football team a 24-21 victory over CAA newcomer Sacred Heart on Saturday night at Rhodes Stadium.
 
Barnes' decisive kick came just over four minutes after he missed a 34-yard attempt that would have broken a 21-21 tie. Given another opportunity on Elon's next possession, the junior connected from 52 yards to lift the Phoenix (3-1, 1-1 CAA) to its first CAA Football victory of the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After the teams traded punts on their opening drives, Sacred Heart broke the scoreless tie with an eight-play, 58-yard touchdown drive.
• Elon answered with a touchdown march of its own. Jaedon Alford jump-started the possession with a 25-yard reception on third down to move the Phoenix into Sacred Heart territory. Alford made another grab later in the drive to move Elon into the red zone. Facing fourth-and-1 from the Sacred Heart 10-yard line, Elon drew the Pioneers offside to earn a fresh set of downs. Elijah Guttman ran the ball into the end zone on the ensuing play to tie the game at 7-7.
• Brodie Carroll stymied the next Sacred Heart possession with a third-down sack. After getting the ball back, the Phoenix converted another third down when Guttman connected with Landyn Backey for 12 yards. Josiah Payton picked up 26 yards on a reverse on the following play before Backey capped the seven-play, 60-yard drive with a 19-yard touchdown catch to put the Phoenix ahead 14-7.
• Elon's defense forced a second straight three-and-out on Sacred Heart's next possession, but the Phoenix lost a fumble six plays into the ensuing drive to set the Pioneers up in Elon territory. Sacred Heart converted a fourth down with a 28-yard pass down the left sideline before finding the end zone on a six-yard touchdown pass to tie the game.
• The Phoenix continued its third-down success on the next possession when Guttman found Jimmyll Williams for a 19-yard gain to extend the drive. Elon crossed midfield and entered the red zone on a 30-yard completion from Guttman to Jamarien Dalton. Guttman finished the eight-play, 81-yard drive two plays later with a 10-yard touchdown run, his second rushing score of the half, to give Elon a 21-14 advantage with 42 seconds remaining before halftime.
• Elon's opening drive of the third quarter resulted in a punt. Sacred Heart responded with a 96-yard, 11-play touchdown drive, finding the end zone on its second fourth-down conversion of the contest with a 34-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 21-21.
• The Pioneers quickly got the ball back and faced fourth-and-1 in Elon territory. Sacred Heart attempted a run up the middle, but Tony Hart III and Jevean Brown combined to drop the ball carrier for a four-yard loss and force a turnover on downs.
• After the teams traded punts, Elon took over at its own 20-yard line early in the fourth quarter. TJ Crews IV connected with Kenaz McMillian for 35 yards and Kamerin McDowell-Moore for 25 more to move the Phoenix deep into Sacred Heart territory. Barnes came on for a 34-yard field goal attempt, but the kick missed wide left.
• Elon forced a Sacred Heart punt on the ensuing possession and again started from its own 20. A Sacred Heart holding penalty on third down gave the Phoenix a fresh set of downs before Crews found Alford for 25 yards to move Elon across midfield. Barnes eventually came on for a fourth-and-6 from the Sacred Heart 34 and sent a 52-yard field goal through the uprights to give the Phoenix a 24-21 lead with 1:19 remaining.
• Sacred Heart advanced as far as its own 37-yard line on the final possession, but a holding penalty pushed the Pioneers backward. The Elon defense kept Sacred Heart from threatening the lead, and Carroll made the tackle on the final play as time expired.

 
NOTES & STATS

• Barnes' career-long 52-yard field goal was the longest by a Phoenix since Skyler Davis made a 53-yarder against Delaware on Oct. 29, 2022.
• Saturday marked Guttman's first start for the Phoenix. He completed 12-of-19 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown while adding 19 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
• Crews came on in relief during the third quarter and completed 6-of-9 passes for 98 yards. He directed both of Elon's fourth-quarter drives that resulted in field goal attempts.
• Carroll led the Phoenix defense with 16 tackles, including 11 solo stops, while adding a sack and two pass breakups. It marked his second consecutive game with at least 10 tackles.
• Backey finished with five catches for 57 yards, including his first touchdown of the season, after missing the previous three games due to injury.
• Alford led Elon with 62 receiving yards on three catches.
• Rylan Shibley recorded his first sack of the season. Elon now has six players with at least one sack.
• Elon's three sacks by Carroll, Shibley and Hart were a season high.
• Saturday marked the third game this season in which the Phoenix scored at least 21 points in the first half.
• Elon finished with 375 yards of total offense, including 255 through the air.
• The victory was the 41st for head coach Tony Trisciani at Elon, moving him into sole possession of fourth place on the program's all-time wins list.
• The win was Elon's first in CAA Football play this season.
• Saturday's matchup was the first between Elon and Sacred Heart. The Pioneers are in their first season as CAA Football members.

 
UP NEXT
Elon's homestand continues against Maine next Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. ET at Rhodes Stadium.
 
SUPPORT THE PHOENIX
Fans can support Elon Athletics through the Phoenix Club. To purchase 2025 tickets, visit TicketMaster.com/ElonTickets.
 
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