Elon Phoenix Unveils Full 2014 Football Slate, Season Ticket Information

ELON, N.C. – The Elon University Department of Athletics has unveiled the full 2014 schedule for the Phoenix football program as well as ticket information for the upcoming season. The 12-game slate features six games at home in Rhodes Stadium. The 2014 campaign will be one of firsts for the maroon and gold as it will be the first under head coach Rich Skrosky as well as the first as a member of CAA Football. Game times will be announced this summer.

Season tickets for the 2014 campaign will go on sale on Feb. 6 and can be purchased at elonphoenix.com or by calling the ticket office at 336-278-6750. Fans who purchase by May 30 will receive a discounted rate on their season tickets. Ticket prices begin at just $25.

Season tickets for chairback seats in section 204 for $150 at the early discount price and $160 beginning June 1. Other options include priority bleacher (sections 202, 203 and 205) for $120 early or $130 as of June 1 and reserved bleacher (sections 201, 206, 207 and 107) for $90 early or $94 starting June 1. Elon faculty and staff can purchase season tickets in the priority bleacher sections for $65 or seats in the reserved bleacher sections for $47. Those who graduated from Elon between 2010 and 2014 may choose to purchase seats in the Young Alumni section (sections 102 and 103) for $50. The Family Zone also returns and includes two adult and two youth (12 and under) tickets in sections 108 and 109 for $120 ($20 for each additional youth). Grass seating is also available for $45 early or $50 starting June 1 (youth grass season tickets sell for $25). Taxes and processing fees are not included in the price of the ticket.

“I am looking forward to the challenge that our 2014 schedule represents,” said Skrosky. “The team has already been working hard to meet the challenges that lie ahead. I am thrilled we have six opportunities to play at Rhodes Stadium — two regional opponents and four members of our new conference, CAA Football. The four non-conference games represent another 12-game season in 2014. Those games are indicative of what we hope to have every season with a BCS opponent in addition to quality regional opponents from the FCS level. I am also thrilled that several of our road games will be in locations where many of our alumni reside — at Delaware, Towson, and William and Mary.”

The Phoenix will open its 2014 schedule on Saturday, Aug. 30 at Duke. Elon will welcome CAA Football foes New Hampshire (Oct. 4), Stony Brook (Oct. 18), Richmond (Oct. 25) and Maine (Nov. 15) to Rhodes Stadium in its first season in the league.

Elon’s 2014 slate features matchups against four teams that finished the 2013 season ranked in the top 12 nationally on the FCS level, including national runner-up Towson (Nov. 1).

Following a bye in week two, Elon will open the home portion of its schedule on Sept. 13 by hosting North Carolina A&T on Hall of Fame Weekend. The following week the maroon and gold will be back in Rhodes Stadium hosting the Charlotte 49ers on Sept. 20 for Family Weekend.

Elon’s non-conference slate concludes on Sept. 27 with a trip to Coastal Carolina.

Elon’s first CAA Football contest will come on Oct. 4, as the maroon and gold will host the New Hampshire Wildcats. The Phoenix will celebrate Community Day on this weekend.

Delaware will be the opponent in Elon’s first road CAA Football match-up on Oct. 11. The following two weeks, the Phoenix returns home. First, Elon will host Stony Brook for Homecoming on Oct. 18 and then will welcome in Richmond for the annual Live Pink game on Oct. 25.

Three of four November contests will come on the road for Elon. The Phoenix visits Towson, who rated second in both polls at the end of the 2013 season, on Nov. 1 before traveling to Williamsburg, Va. for a tilt at William & Mary on Nov. 8.

The lone home game of the month comes on Nov. 15 when the maroon and gold hosts Maine on Nov. 15 and Military Appreciation Day.

The 2014 regular season comes to a close on Nov. 22 with a trip to James Madison.

2014 Elon Football Schedule and Notes

Aug. 30 – at Duke: Elon and Duke have met eight times before on the gridiron with the most recent contest coming on Sept. 4, 2010. The maroon and gold is 0-7-1 in those games. Duke is the defending ACC Coastal Division champion. The Blue Devils posted a 10-4 overall record (6-2 in the ACC) and played in the Chikc-fil-A Bowl following the 2013 campaign. This will mark Elon’s seventh game against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent and its fifth against an ACC foe.

Sept. 6 – BYE WEEK

Sept. 13 – vs. North Carolina A&T (Hall of Fame): The Phoenix has won its last five home openers. Elon and the Aggies will be meeting for the 10th time on the gridiron. A&T defeated Elon 23-10 a year ago to claim a 5-4 edge in the series that dates to 2006. The Aggies went 7-4 overall and 4-4 in the MEAC last year.

Sept. 20 – vs. Charlotte (Family Weekend): This will be Elon’s first-ever football game against Charlotte which will play just its second season of football in 2014. The 49ers were 5-6 as an FCS Independent program in their first season. Charlotte will begin the transition to FBS play with the 2015 season.

Sept. 27 – at Coastal Carolina: Elon will visit Coastal Carolina for just the second time. The other was a 23-20 victory over the 25th-ranked Chanticleers on Sept. 2, 2006. The Chants finished the 2013 campaign ranked seventh in both The Sports Network and coaches polls after going 12-3 (4-1 Big South) and advancing to the FCS quarterfinals. This will mark the fourth football meeting between the Phoenix and Chants.

Oct. 4 – vs. New Hampshire* (Community Day): The maroon and gold’s first year of play as a member of CAA Football will begin with a home date against New Hampshire. The Wildcats (10-5, 6-2 CAA) ended 2013 ranked fifth in both national polls and advanced to the semifinals of the FCS playoffs. New Hampshire finished tied for second in CAA Football in 2013. This will be Elon’s first-ever game against New Hampshire.

Oct. 11 – at Delaware*: Another new opponent for the Phoenix will come in its first road CAA Football tilt in Delaware. The Blue Hens wrapped up the 2013 season with a 7-5 overall record and went 4-4 in league play to tie for fourth.

Oct. 18 – vs. Stony Brook* (Homecoming): One CAA Football member that Elon does have a history with is Stony Brook. The two programs have met twice, with Elon winning both contests. The Phoenix defeated Stony Brook 38-23 in Rhodes Stadium in 2007 before claiming a 30-20 win in a monsoon on the road in 2008.

Oct. 25 – vs. Richmond* (Pink Game): Elon and Richmond (6-6, 4-4 in 2013) have met four times prior to the 2014 meeting at Rhodes Stadium. Richmond has come away victorious in all four previous meetings. The last two were memorable contests. In 2009, Elon travelled to Richmond for the first FCS Playoff game in program history. After falling behind 13-3 at halftime, the maroon and gold rallied within a field goal thanks to big days from quarterback Scott Riddle (25-42, 309 yards, 1 TD) and receiver Terrell Hudgins (12 receptions, 167 yards, 1 TD) before falling 16-13. The following year Elon was the first opponent for the Spiders in new Robins Stadium and scored a touchdown thanks to a 25-yard grab by Aaron Mellette from Riddle on the final play of regulation that forced overtime. The Spiders would score a touchdown in OT to cliam a 27-21 victory.

Nov. 1 – at Towson*: Defending national runner-up Towson finished 2013 ranked second in both national polls with an overall record of 13-3. The Tigers went 6-2 in conference play to tie for second in the league. Elon and Towson have met three times before, all Tiger victories. The last meeting came in 2006 at Rhodes Stadium. Elon’s last trip to Towson came in the 2004 season opener.

Nov. 8 – at William & Mary*: Another newcomer to Elon’s schedule in 2014 will be the Tribe of William & Mary. W&M went 7-5 overall and 4-4 in CAA Football play in 2013.

Nov. 15 – vs. Maine* (Military Appreciation Day): Defending CAA Football regular season champion Maine will visit Elon for the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The Black Bears were 10-3 overall and 7-1 in league play in 2013 and advanced to the second round of the FCS Playoffs.

Nov. 22 – at James Madison*: The final game of the 2014 regular season will mark the third all-time meeting between Elon and James Madison. The Dukes have won both previous contests. The most recent game between the two came on Sept. 1, 2001 in Harrisonburg, Va.