Elon Unveils 2016 Football Schedule

ELON, N.C. – With the release of the 2016 CAA Football schedule today, Nov. 12, the Elon University program has announced its full slate of games for next fall. The Phoenix will play six of its 11 games at home in Rhodes Stadium.

Game times, as well as game distinctions such as Homecoming and Family Weekend, will be announced at later dates.

The maroon and gold will play three non-conference games, beginning with a Sept. 3 home game with Gardner-Webb. Following a game at Charlotte on Sept. 10, the Phoenix will play its final non-league contest at home against Fayetteville State on Sept. 17.

Among the eight league games for the Phoenix squad will be first-time meetings with Albany, Rhode Island and Villanova.

“Our 2016 CAA schedule will be challenging as usual,” said Elon head coach Rich Skrosky. “We will be able to continue our annual games against our CAA south pod foes James Madison, Richmond and William & Mary. It will also be exciting to face Albany, Rhode Island and Villanova for the first time.”

Elon’s 2016 CAA Football slate will begin on the road. The Phoenix will begin league play with a Sept. 24 contest at William & Mary. The Phoenix will be at home in Rhodes Stadium for its next three games, hosting Villanova on Oct. 1, New Hampshire on Oct. 8 and Richmond on Oct. 22. Elon will have a bye on Oct. 15.

Three of Elon’s final four games will be on the road, beginning with an Oct. 29 date at Albany. The Phoenix will then visit Towson on Nov. 5 before hosting Rhode Island in the final home game of the year on Nov. 12. The regular season will come to a close with a Nov. 19 bout at James Madison.

Home and away locations will be swapped with these same teams for the 2017 campaign. Elon will not face Delaware, Maine or Stony Brook in either the 2016 or 2017 seasons.

2016 Elon Football Schedule and Notes

Sept. 3 – vs. Gardner-Webb: Elon and Gardner-Webb renewed a long-standing rivalry in 2015 as the Phoenix defeated the Runnin’ Bulldogs 21-13 in triple overtime in Boiling Springs, N.C. The two competed as members of both the South Atlantic Conference and Big South Conference. Including its win this season, Elon is now 21-9 all-time against Gardner-Webb. The Runnin’ Bulldogs are currently 3-6 overall and 2-3 in the Big South.

Sept. 10 – at Charlotte: The Phoenix is 1-0 all-time against Charlotte, which now competes at the FBS level as a member of Conference USA. Elon defeated the 49ers 20-13 at Rhodes Stadium in 2014, Charlotte’s second season of football. Charlotte currently sports an overall record of 2-7 and is 0-6 in C-USA action.

Sept. 17 – vs. Fayetteville State: Elon and Fayetteville State have met just twice on the gridiron with each team claiming one victory. The Broncos defeated Elon 21-14 on Sept. 15, 1990 in the first meeting before the maroon and gold picked up a 31-0 win in Burlington, N.C., on Sept. 21, 1991. The Broncos are an NCAA Division II member of the CIAA. Fayetteville State finished its season with a 4-6 overall mark and a 3-3 record in conference play.

Sept. 24 – at William & Mary*: Including a recent meeting in 2015, Elon and William & Mary have met just twice with the Tribe earning wins in both contests. William & Mary is currently tied for the CAA Football lead with a 5-1 conference record. The Tribe is 7-2 overall and ranked seventh nationally.

Oct. 1 – vs. Villanova*: Elon and Villanova have never met on the gridiron. The Wildcats currently sport a 5-4 overall record and are 4-2 in CAA Football games.

Oct. 8 – vs. New Hampshire*: A perennial top-25 program, New Hampshire returns to Rhodes Stadium in 2016 for a league bout. The Wildcats have come out victorious in the first two meetings against the Phoenix, including in Elon’s first-ever CAA Football game in 2014. UNH’s record currently stands at 5-4 and 3-3 in conference action.

Oct. 15 – Bye Week

Oct. 22 – vs. Richmond*: Elon will look for its first win in six tries against the Spiders in this game at Rhodes Stadium. Richmond was the opponent for the Phoenix’s lone FCS playoff game in 2009. With an overall record of 7-2 and a CAA Football mark of 5-1, the Spiders are currently tied for the league lead and are ranked ninth.

Oct. 29 – at Albany*: Another new opponent for the Phoenix, Albany currently sports a 3-6 overall record and is 2-4 in CAA Football action.

Nov. 5 – at Towson*: Elon claimed its first victory in five tries against Towson earlier in the 2015 season. It also marked the Phoenix’s first CAA Football win. The Tigers sit just outside the top 25 currently with a 6-3 overall mark and a 4-2 conference record.

Nov. 12 – vs. Rhode Island*: A third new league foe, the Rhode Island Rams are 1-8 overall and 1-5 in CAA Football play.

Nov. 19 – at James Madison*: For the second time in three years in the league, Elon will conclude the regular season with a game at James Madison. This will mark the fifth all-time meeting between the two with the Dukes having come out on top in the first four bouts. JMU sits 11th in the most recent national rankings with an overall record of 7-2 and a CAA Football mark of 4-2.