RICHMOND, Va. – Following outstanding performances in Elon football’s 34-31 victory at Furman, Phoenix freshmen Davis Cheek and Owen Johnson were honored with weekly awards from CAA Football. Cheek was selected as the conference’s rookie of the week, while Johnson was named the league’s special teams player of the week.
In just his second career start, Cheek completed 26 of his 35 pass attempts for 301 yards and three touchdowns. The freshman from Matthews, N.C., became the first Phoenix quarterback to throw for three scores in a game since 2014 and engineered a game-winning drive in the final minute. On that final drive, Cheek threw for 23 yards and ran for five to set up the game-winning field goal attempt.
Johnson kicked the first two field goals of his career, including a game-winning 36-yarder with five seconds remaining, in Elon’s 34-31 win over the Paladins. Johnson also booted a game-tying 23-yard field goal in the third quarter and was 4-for-4 on extra points. The Louisville, Ky., native accounted for 10 of Elon’s 34 points, the most scored by the team since 2013.
Other weekly CAA Football accolades were awarded to Maine running back Josh Mack (offensive), Richmond defensive lineman Andrew Clyde (co-defensive) and New Hampshire defensive lineman Jae’Wuan Horton (co-defensive).
The Phoenix will open its home schedule on Sept. 16 by hosting Charleston Southern at 6 p.m.