WCU Football Game #3 - Elon Phoenix

Game #3 - Elon Phoenix 

In the season's third game, the Catamounts return to Cullowhee to face former Southern Conference foe, the Elon Phoenix from the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). This is the Phoenix first trip back to Cullowhee since the 2013 season.  

Where: E. J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

When: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Time: 2:30 pm (EST)
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
     -announcer: Gary Ayers
TV/video: ESPN+
Game Notes: Western Carolina   -    Elon 
Conference: Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)
Mascot: Phoenix
Colors: Maroon and Gold
Students: 6,337

Message Board: Elon Fans

The Series: The Cats own an 18-24-2 overall record against the Phoenix, and come into the game on two game win streak. The Cats picked up a 24-17 last year at Elon.   

Elon's 2024 Record:  6-6 overall, 2-4 home, 4-2 away, 5-3 conference (CAA)

Head Coach: Tony Trisciani -  The 23rd head football coach at Elon University, he completed his sixth season at the helm of the program in the fall of 2024. Widely familiar with the CAA Football landscape, the 2024 season marked Trisciani's 29th year as a football coach and his 19th 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.

Trisciani's record vs. WCU: 0-1

Bell's record vs. Elon:  1-0

Elon was picked to finish eighth in the 14 team CAA football preseason poll, and Jeff Yurk was selected as the Preseason All-CAA punter. So far this season the Phoenix played both Duke & Davidson.  

In Saturday's home opener, Phoenix redshirt freshman QB Landen Clark threw for three touchdowns and ran in another as Elon picked up 41 first-half points en route to a 55-7 win over Davidson at Rhodes Stadium. The Elon defense held Davidson to 93 passing yards, and 65 yards rushing, in their 55-7 win over helpless Davidson.  

2025 Elon Statistics (2 games):
Rushing Offense: 452 yards
Yards per game: 226
Yards per rush: 4.8 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 27
TDs rushing: 6
Passing Offense: 370 yards or 185 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 7.9 yards
Passing 1st downs: 17
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 47-27-0
TDs Passing: 3
Total Offense: 822 yards or 411yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 1-0
3d Down Conversions: 13 of 30 or 43%
4th Down Conversions: 3 of 5 or 60%
Field goal attempts: 3 of 3
On-side kicks: 0-0
Red Zone Scores: 10 of 11
Red Zone Touchdowns: 7 of 11
PAT: 9 of 9