Bill and Mary

[eu96]

Another program defining win. Certainly the biggest in the Coach T era, no doubt about it. And in front of 13,000 fans, simply awesome!
Next up, Central. As I said preseason, really lousy scheduling sticking a non-conf game right in the meat of CAA play. And against a really good team to boot! Maybe it couldn’t have been helped, I don’t know. But it’s still lousy, and really it’s an all risk, little reward scenario. Especially considering it’s really all about your conference record at the FCS level. I just hope we come out of the game with few injuries.
Again, great win!

[phawkes]

Yes, a great win for the program. I nominate the entire defense for CAA defensive player of the week. Best play of the game: Downing block on reverse! The team on the field today is certainly capable of defeating NCCU and competing with remaining CAA schedule. Every game will be tough.

Go, Phoenix!

[bjiyf]

I’m very surprised at the lack of discussion about our huge win! A few observations: Downing has improved significantly. He’s not the same QB we saw at Wake. Frankly, he’s had significant improvement since last week at Campbell. Until yesterday, he’d had a very difficult time connecting with Brayboy. They seem to have figured something out. If Downing continues to improve, this could be one of our best seasons ever.

I was expecting a better team than I saw yesterday in W&M. Their rushing attack was impressive, but I remember their QB as being a much better passer. Yes, they were missing Yoder, but their D wasn’t as good as hyped either. We were absolutely the better team yesterday. Their O line had to hold our D line on nearly every play, (never called by the officials), which contributed to their rushing success. They probably should have used Lucas more. He was definitely the more effective RB.

I didn’t see or hear about any significant injuries. So hopefully the overall improvement continues next week against NCCU, the second of four ranked teams we play this season. Looking forward to it!

[fearthephoenix]

I was just able to finally watch the game on FloSports since I was only able to listen on radio yesterday and I definitely agree with some of your thoughts, Bjiyf. I think Downing has showed growth. Slow growth, but steady and it seemed as Folmar finally gave him the keys because he simply had to. It was funny on the TV broadcast because Walker said that Downing is going to have to win Elon this game because William and Mary began to fully sell out against the run and that was exactly what happened.

I will disagree with you on the W&M defense because we were absolutely shut out for three quarters lol. Those guys were physical (and at times overphysical after the whistle), but our boys competed well. I have never seen Coach Trisciani that fired up and the guys kept alluding to it on the broadcast that the lack of calls of holding/late hits were getting out of hand. Regardless, a big win with what looked like a huge crowd.

Central had an insane comeback against Campbell and is looking for their third CAA win on Saturday. Hopefully we will get some of our dinged up guys back because we have a battle on our hands next weekend.

[euphoenix99]

Huge win Saturday. As others have said, defense was phenomenal. I thought that bonehead taunting penalty when Elon had all the momentum in the 3rd was going to kill us, but D stepped up and bailed us out. Same after the poorly executed/timed fake punt. Things started to finally click in the 4Q and thankfully the D had kept the game within reach.

Football the lone bright spot for fall sports right now. 3 conference wins. All other programs combined....1 conference win.

Go Phoenix!

[epx]

I've complained about Downing this season, but give credit where credit's due. Downing has definitely picked up his game. Now lets kick the crap out of NCCU!!

[phawkes]

Downing is definitely showing us something. The TD pass to Brayboy was beautifully thrown. Also, I checked Elon records, and if I'm reading them right, the 76-yard pass to Brayboy (perfectly thrown, BTW) is the longest Phoenix pass play since Scott Riddle to A.J Harris 91 yards in 2008 (I attended that game and remember the play well). Why aren't the Elon media shouting this from the rooftops?

Go, Phoenix!