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Post by topher99 on Jan 10, 2023 14:18:52 GMT -5
2023 ELON FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Thursday, Aug. 31 – at Wake Forest Saturday, Sept. 9 – at Gardner-Webb Saturday, Sept. 16 – North Carolina A&T* (Hall of Fame Weekend) Saturday, Sept. 23 – at Campbell* Saturday, Sept. 30 – William & Mary* (Family Weekend) Saturday, Oct. 7 – North Carolina Central Saturday, Oct. 14 – at Villanova* Saturday, Oct. 21 – Monmouth* (Homecoming) Saturday, Nov. 4 – at Delaware* Saturday, Nov. 11 – at Richmond* Saturday, Nov. 18 – Hampton* elonphoenix.com/news/2023/1/10/2023-elon-football-schedule-announced.aspx
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eu96
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Post by eu96 on Jan 10, 2023 14:40:11 GMT -5
I would like to see us play someone other than Wake or Vandy. These private schools don’t exactly pack the stands, they can’t possibly offer the financial benefits of other, larger Power 5 programs. Plus, a change of opponent would be nice just from a competitive standpoint. How bout Missouri? West Virginia? Louisville? UCF?..anyone! Also not thrilled about a non-con game in the middle of the season. I know why we schedule a team like NCCU..they will bring 3,000 to 4,000 fans over from Durham. It’s good for the bottom line. Just not thrilled with it. Lastly, can we find someone other than Gardner-Webb?? Home and home with Western Carolina??? VMI??? Plenty of teams we could play that would not require a plane ride. All in all, this schedule just seems stale.
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Post by euphoenix99 on Jan 10, 2023 16:36:16 GMT -5
I really like this schedule. 9 of 11 games within a 3 hour drive of Elon. Glad to see W&M and Richmond still on there and no trips to New England.
We do start a home and home series with WCU in 2024 and one with Norfolk State in 2027.
Go Phoenix!
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eu96
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Post by eu96 on Jan 11, 2023 11:07:36 GMT -5
Sorry…Norfolk State doesn’t exactly scream excitement. Wouldn’t mind seeing a Patriot League opponent in the future. And every year we should have one SoCon team on the schedule. Glad to see though we have apparently moved on from scheduling D2 teams.
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Post by fearthephoenix on Jan 11, 2023 22:57:23 GMT -5
I would like to see us play someone other than Wake or Vandy. These private schools don’t exactly pack the stands, they can’t possibly offer the financial benefits of other, larger Power 5 programs. Plus, a change of opponent would be nice just from a competitive standpoint. How bout Missouri? West Virginia? Louisville? UCF?..anyone! Also not thrilled about a non-con game in the middle of the season. I know why we schedule a team like NCCU..they will bring 3,000 to 4,000 fans over from Durham. It’s good for the bottom line. Just not thrilled with it. Lastly, can we find someone other than Gardner-Webb?? Home and home with Western Carolina??? VMI??? Plenty of teams we could play that would not require a plane ride. All in all, this schedule just seems stale. I’d like to see more FBS games but we don’t make that call. FBS schools will let us know if they are interested, so if we are only get contacted by in-state schools, then we have to take those. At this point, the goal is clear and it’s to get butts in seats. It makes more sense to stay nearby so opponents can travel better. It’s not the best schedule in the world, but it has some intrigue to it.
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eu96
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Post by eu96 on Jan 12, 2023 9:36:42 GMT -5
I understand FBS teams aren’t burning up Blanks phone line, however nearly every Power 5 school (minus the Big 10) schedules a FCS game. That is where Blank has to “work the phones” and utilize his network of contacts to get Elon bigger games, and in turn bigger payouts. Also, if we do indeed pick up Western Carolina next year, that means we probably drop Gardner-Webb. Which means our scheduling agreement with GW was a “1 for 2”…one home game and two road games with the Bulldogs. Which of course favors GW, and generally is negotiated by the “stronger program”. If we can’t get scheduling leverage over a Big South team, good grief.
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Post by euphoenix99 on Jan 12, 2023 13:25:47 GMT -5
While I still do like the 2023 schedule, after reading a little more I see that the Campbell and A&T games are the only ones guaranteed every year.
Pods: Campbell, A&T, Elon Hampton, UR, W&M Delaware, Towson, Nova Albany, Monmouth, Stony Brook Maine, UNH, URI
I'm good with A&T and Campbell, but I feel like this is going to lead to some crappy conference schedules in the future. I really enjoy playing W&M and Richmond every year and feel like we should be. Apparently outside of the two other schools in the pod, we'll rotate H&H with the remaining schools over an 8 year period.
If that's the case, I'd like for the CAA to add one more football-only school and get to true North/South divisions.
Go Phoenix!
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eu96
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Post by eu96 on Jan 12, 2023 22:43:49 GMT -5
That’s a great catch euphoenix99. And a real shame. I think we were developing a really nice rivalry with Bill and Mary, maybe a little less so with UR, but still a featured game for both teams I feel. I can’t say I share your excitement about the Camels and the Aggies. Meh..
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