Elon’s Thomas, Messer Earn CAA Football Weekly Honors

ELON, N.C. – Elon University running back Jaylan Thomas and linebacker Warren Messer have been named CAA Football Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, on Monday, Nov. 5, by the league office after standout performances over the weekend against Rhode Island.

Thomas, a rookie from Carrollton, Ga., carried 18 times for 222 yards and a touchdown to help the Phoenix to the 24-21 win while Messer had 14 tackles – seven solo – to go with 2.5 tackles for loss, a team-high 2.0 sacks, two quarterback hurries and an interception returned 86 yards to the house for his first-career touchdown.

Late in the second quarter, Thomas broke loose for an 86-yard touchdown run to mark the fifth-longest carry in Elon football history. It also marks the longest carry of Elon’s Division I tenure to date. Just 90 seconds later, Messer picked off a batted ball and returned it 86 yards for the score for the seventh-longest interception return in program history. The touchdown is the first of Messer’s career and he’s now had interceptions in each of his last two games against Rhode Island.

With 222 yards on the ground, Thomas’s total marks the ninth-most in a game in program history. It’s also the second-most by a rookie ball carrier in program history and the third-most in a game by a rookie in the country this season.

Elon will be back in action for a big Senior Day matchup against No. 15 Towson on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 12 noon. Elon is 4-0 at home this season and is one of three teams remaining in the CAA with just one conference loss.