Elon to Host #4 New Hampshire in First CAA Football Contest

ELON, N.C. – A new era in Elon football will begin this weekend as the Phoenix welcomes in fourth-ranked New Hampshire to Rhodes Stadium for the maroon and gold’s first-ever CAA Football game. Following special pregame ceremonies, Saturday’s bout will begin at 1:30 p.m.

Fans in attendance will receive commemorative tickets to recognize Elon’s first CAA Football contest. Elon students will also receive a special t-shirt (supplies limited).

Fans unable to attend the game can listen to the game on WPCM 95.1 FM and 920 AM or at elonphoenix.com. The radio broadcast will start at 12:30 p.m. Fans can also listen to all Elon football games via the TuneIn Radio app. This app is free to download to your smartphone. The WSOE tailgate show can be heard on 89.3 FM beginning at 11:30 a.m.

CONNECTIONS:
• Elon K Karl Garvy and Elon TE Doug Warrick attended Connecticut’s Cheshire Academy as did UNH TE Matt Torrey and DB Nick Cefalo.
• Cefalo also spent time at New Jersey’s Ridge High, alma mater of Elon QB Conor Hughes.
• Elon LS Michael Crispi and UNH WR Jake Klose both graduated from Half Hollow Hills West (N.Y.).
• Phoenix head coach Rich Skrosky was a member of the staff at Rutgers University with Kevin Carty, Sr. Kevin is the father of current UNH offensive coordinator Ryan Carty.

A NEW HOME:
After spending the past 11 seasons as a member of the Southern Conference, Elon has joined the Colonial Athletic Association and CAA Football. The Phoenix officially transitioned to CAA Football on July 1, 2014.

The CAA geographic footprint provides an attractive match with Elon’s student and alumni populations. Elon draws a large proportion of its enrollment from mid-Atlantic and New England states where many CAA teams are located. About 1,850 current students came to Elon from areas close to CAA member schools. Alumni populations in CAA cities are equally strong, with about 5,300 Elon alumni living within 50 miles of CAA member schools.

ELON VS. NEW HAMPSHIRE:
Elon will be facing New Hampshire for the first time ever. The Wildcats are one of five new opponents on the Elon slate this season. The others are Charlotte, Delaware, William & Mary and Maine.

WE’RE CLOSE
Dating back to 2013, six of Elon’s last 11 games have been decided by seven points or less.

HIGHLY RANKED
New Hampshire enters this weekend’s tilt ranked fourth in The Sports Network and sixth in the coaches poll. Since moving to NCAA Division I play for the 1999 season, Elon has never played top-five opponents in back-to-back games. The Phoenix played third-rated Coastal Carolina last weekend.

Elon’s last win over a top-25 foe was a 42-34 victory at #17 Furman on Nov. 12, 2011. The highest-ranked team the Phoenix has defeated at the FCS level was #7 Wofford by a 24-13 score on Oct. 20, 2007. It is the lone win over a team ranked in the top 10.

WINNING THE TO BATTLE
Over its last three games, the Phoenix has posted a +6 in turnover margin. The maroon and gold has three turnovers (all interceptions), but has forced nine (four interceptions and five fumbles). Elon has yet to fumble the ball this season.

Last year, Elon forced a total of 17 turnovers (eight interceptions and nine fumbles).

TACKLING MACHINE
Senior linebacker Jonathan Spain currently boasts 279 career tackles. That number ranks fourth in program history during Elon’s FCS tenure and eighth on the school’s all-time tackles chart.