Elon Football Downs Gardner-Webb in Triple-Overtime Thriller

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – After seeing the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs tie the game on the final play of regulation, the Elon Phoenix football squad pulled out a 21-13 win in triple overtime on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Quotable: “Wins are hard. The first one is always good. I can’t be happier for the 64 guys here and the guys who didn’t make the trip because you know how much time they put in. The nice thing to see tonight is that each phase really played a pivotal role. David Petroni, the punts he had were massive. The offense didn’t play great, but in overtime they were able to score a touchdown. The defense rose to the challenge.” – Elon head coach Rich Skrosky

How it happened: With Elon (1-1) leading 7-0 and time running out, Gardner-Webb (0-2) quarterback Tyrell Maxwell hit Mike Estes for a one-yard touchdown as the clock hit 0:00. After both teams traded field goals in the first two overtime periods, the Phoenix got the ball to start the third OT session. On the first play Connor Christiansen went deep for Corey Joyner who secured the ball against tight defense along the side of the end zone to put the maroon and gold on top. Christiansen then hit Doug Warrick for the two-point conversion and a 21-13 Phoenix lead. On fourth-and-11 on the ensuing Gardner-Webb possession, Julius Moore picked off a pass to seal the victory.

Inside the box score: Christiansen completed 15 of his 30 passes for 116 yards and the first two scores of his career… Joyner finished with four catches for 47 yards and two scores… Both Corey Mitchell and John Silasset new personal bests for tackles with 18 and 17, respectively… Elon recorded five sacks, including 2.0 from Rob Sullivan who now has 4.0 on the year… Petroni had another outstanding day punting, hitting four punts 50 or more yards, including a career-long 63-yarder.

Notes: Elon improved to 3-0 all-time in multiple overtime games… The scoreless first half was the first in a game for Elon since a 0-0 tie at the break against Chattanooga in 2005… Elon is now 21-9 all-time against Gardner-Webb and has won four of the last five meetings between the two programs.

Up next: Elon will play its first home game of the year on Saturday, Sept. 19 when the Phoenix plays host to the North Carolina A&T Aggies at 6 p.m.