Game #3 - Elon

In Western's third game of the 2024 season, the Catamounts travel to Elon, NC to face the #22 Elon Phoenix. 

Western plays Elon for the 45th time overall, the two teams last played in Cullowhee in 2013.  Elon finished the 2023 season with a 6-5 overall record, and is 1-1 in 2024 with a loss to Duke and a win over NC Central.  

Game #3 -  Elon Phoenix

When: Saturday, September 14

Time:   6 pm
Where: Rhodes Stadium, Elon, NC

Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV / video: FloFootball 

Conference:  Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) 
Nickname: Phoenix
Colors: Maroon and Gold
Enrollment:  7,117
Message Board:  ElonFans

The Series: In only the 45th meeting between the two teams, the Cats own a 18-24-2 record overall against the former Southern Conference foe.  Western is 6-15-1 against the Phoenix in games played in Elon. 

Last Game vs. Elon (Oct. 26, 2013) - WCU halted a seven-game slide against Elon; it was the Catamounts' first win over the Phoenix since 2005 ... WCU improves to 3-3 against Elon in games played in Cullowhee. Western Carolina head coach Mark Speir won his first game against a NCAA Division I opponent, while also earning his first victory against a Southern Conference opponent;

Head Coach:  Tony Trisciani - Named the 23rd head football coach at Elon University on Dec. 17, 2018, Tony Trisciani will begin his sixth season at the helm of the program in the fall of 2024. Widely familiar with the CAA Football landscape, the 2023 season marked Trisciani's 28th year as a football coach and his 18th year coaching at a CAA Football institution. Known for developing champions, Trisciani's career has featured multiple conference championships on the field while guiding his defensive units to national leaders in multiple categories and coaching numerous all-conference and All-American student-athletes. 

Last Season's Record  (2023): 6-5 overall, 4-2 home, 2-4 away, 6-2 CAA

The Phoenix are picked to finish sixth in the 16 team CAA football poll for 2024, and had two first team All-conference players, Chandler Brayboy a senior wide receiver and Caleb Curtain a junior safety.  Elon All-America safety Caleb Curtain was selected as the preseason Defensive Player of the Year after recording 80 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and a league-high four interceptions in 2023.  Brayboy also received honors on Special Teams as kickoff return. 

Against NC Central, Elon scored on its first drive of the game and never trailed, defeating North Carolina Central 41-19 on the road. Elon had three interceptions from three different players – Brandon Tyson, Jonathan Robinson and Jesse Powell II each had an interception with Powell returning his 40 yards for a touchdown. 

2023 Elon Statistics  (11 games):
Rushing Offense: 1418 yards
Yards per game: 129
Yards per rush: 3.6 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 82
TDs rushing: 10
Passing Offense: 2248 yards or 204.4 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 7.9 yards
Passing 1st downs: 86
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 283-159-6

TDs Passing: 21
Total Offense: 3666 yards or 333.3 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 13-5
3d Down Conversions: 45 of 151 (30%)
4th Down Conversions: 14 of 26 (54%)
Field goal attempts: 12 - 15
On-side kicks: 0-1
Red Zone Scores: 23 of 28
Red Zone Touchdowns: 14 of 28 

PAT-attempts: 32 of 34