Looking ahead to the Elon Phoenix

The eight in a series of looks ahead at WCU 2012 football opponents. 

Game 8 - Elon Phoenix

Date with Elon: Saturday, Oct. 20th, 3:00 p.m 

Site: Rhodes Stadium (11,250 - Natural grass), Elon, NC

Series: Elon leads 23-16-2 (Lost last 6)

Head Coach: Jason Swepson (Boston College ‘92) 

2011 Record: 5-6 (1 yr) overall, 3-5 conference

Record at Elon: same

Career Record: 5-6 (1 yr)

Basic Offense: Multiple

Defense: 4-3

Lettermen Returning / Lost: 34 / 19

Starters Returning / Lost (O/D/S): 17(7/7/3) / 8(4/4/0)

Elon's second year head coach Jason Swepson enters the 2012 season hoping to improve on last year's 5-6 record. The Phoenix return 17 starters, 7 on offense, 7 on defense and 3 on special teams.

Leading the way for the Phoenix will be senior wide receiver Aaron Mellette, who may possibly be the  the SoCon's top receivers. Mellette enters the season as an All-America selection, finished fifth in last year's Walter Payton Award voting. He led the nation in both receptions per game (10.3) and receiving yards per game (149) in 2011.

The Phoenix also will return senior Thomas Wilson at quarterback.  The Phoenix offensive attack will rely heavily on the passing game. While Wilson passed for for 3,057 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, he also threw 21 interceptions.

Swepson's biggest question mark will be the rushing game, Karl Bostick, a sophomore transfer from Akron will most likely carry the bulk of the running attack.

Defensively, the Phoenix, like the Catamounts must improve against the run.

Elon, again like the Catamounts will have one of the youngest rosters in the conference, with a lot of underclassmen that will need to step up their play.