Elon University Athletics

ELON – Elon football used explosive plays, disruptive special teams and another strong defensive performance to earn a 43-17 victory over Maine Saturday afternoon at Rhodes Stadium. The Phoenix (4-1, 2-1 CAA) improved to 4-1 overall for the first time since 2022.
 
Freshman running back Kamerin McDowell-Moore rushed for a career-high 126 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, including a career-long 55-yard score. Dylan Magazu found the end zone twice, hauling in a career-long 57-yard touchdown reception before adding his first career rushing score. Elijah Guttman threw for a career-high 179 yards and a touchdown, while the Elon defense held Maine to 148 passing yards and forced the Black Bears to go 0-for-4 on fourth down.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Elon special teams set the tone in the opening quarter. Luke Barnes opened the scoring with a 39-yard field goal before Tyler Owens blocked a Maine punt and recovered it at the Black Bears' 14-yard line. Later in the quarter, CJ Hector blocked another punt out of the end zone for a safety, giving Elon a 5-0 advantage.
• Maine cut the lead to 5-3 with a 24-yard field goal early in the second quarter, but the Phoenix responded with two explosive touchdowns late in the half. Guttman connected with Magazu for a 57-yard score with 5:11 remaining before McDowell-Moore broke free for a 55-yard touchdown run three minutes later, sending Elon into halftime with a 19-3 lead.
• Maine pulled within 19-10 on a 30-yard Rashawn Marshall touchdown run early in the third quarter. Elon answered after Jevean Brown's sack helped force a punt, with Josiah Payton returning the kick 24 yards to the Maine 43. Guttman then found Jaedon Alford for 37 yards before McDowell-Moore finished the two-play drive with a 6-yard touchdown. Barnes added a 34-yard field goal later in the quarter for a 29-10 advantage.
• The Phoenix put the game away with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. TJ Crews IV connected with Kenaz McMillian for a 39-yard score before McDowell-Moore carried four straight times for 30 yards to set up Magazu's 1-yard touchdown run. Maine added a late touchdown for the final margin.

 
NOTES & STATS

• Elon has three blocked punts through five games this season. Saturday marked the first time the Phoenix blocked two punts in a game since Oct. 8, 2011, against Western Carolina.
• Elon is now 15-4 in its last 19 CAA home games.
• Dylan Magazu's 57-yard touchdown reception was his first receiving score of the season and the longest reception of his career. It was also Elon's longest play of the season. He later added his first career rushing touchdown.
• Kamerin McDowell-Moore rushed for a career-high 126 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns. His 55-yard score was a career long.
• McDowell-Moore now has four touchdowns this season and recorded multiple scores in a game for the second time in 2026.
• Saturday marked Elon's first game with at least two plays of 50 or more yards since Nov. 22, 2025, against North Carolina A&T.
• The Elon defense did not allow a first-half touchdown for the fourth time in five games this season. The Phoenix have surrendered just 17 first-half points through five games.
• Jevean Brown recorded his first sack of the season, dropping Maine quarterback Eddie Buehler for a 14-yard loss.
• Elijah Guttman's 179 passing yards were a career high. He finished 11-of-29 with one touchdown.
• Elon has yet to allow 200 passing yards in a game this season. Maine finished with 148 through the air Saturday.
• Kenaz McMillian's 39-yard touchdown reception was his first score of the season.
• At 4-1, Elon has matched its best five-game start since opening the 2022 season with the same record.
• Derek Hite led the Phoenix with 10 tackles, while Brodie Carroll added nine and Tony Hart III finished with eight.
• Nhycer Kelly recorded two tackles for loss, including a sack, while Elon totaled six tackles for loss, two sacks and eight quarterback hurries.
• Luke Barnes went 2-for-3 on field goals, connecting from 39 and 34 yards, and made all five of his extra-point attempts.

 
UP NEXT
The Phoenix treks north for a CAA road game at New Hampshire next Saturday. Kickoff in Durham, New Hampshire, is set for 1 p.m. ET.
 
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).