Davidson College Athletics
[21] Elon
Are You Ready For Some Football?! 'Cats Return to the Field Saturday at Elon
2/17/2021 12:05:00 PM | Football
| WEEK 1 - DAVIDSON at ELON |
| Date | Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021 | |
| Kickoff | 1:30 P.M. | |
| Location | Elon, N.C. | |
| Stadium | Rhodes Stadium | |
| Capacity | 11,250 | |
| Game Notes | Davidson | Elon | |
| #HashTag | #CatsAreWild #WE | |
| Live Stats | ElonPhoenix.com | |
| Live Audio | DavidsonWildcats.com (WHIP 99.3 FM/1350 AM, TuneIn App) | |
| Live Video | FloFootball | |
| The Coach's Corner | Episode 1 | |
| Social Media | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook |
THE SERIES
Davidson leads the series all-time 16-2 dating back to the series inception in 1921. The 'Cats won the first 14 matchups, but have fallen in the last two including a 56-0 loss at Elon in 2009.
LEADING THE PACK
Senior quarterback Tyler Phelps returns for his fourth season to lead the offense, while Jalen Jefferson, Chibuike Odo and Cade Vela captain a Davidson defense that soared to the top of the FCS in 2019. Junior Eli Turner Jr. also will don captain duties throughout the season.
WHERE WE LEFT OFF
Davidson won their most Division I tilts in a season, beating six FCS foes including Georgetown of the formidable Patriot League. The vaunted Wildcat rushing attack finished second in rushing (322.6), first in third down conversions (57.1%) and second ion time of possession (34:35). Where Davidson made their biggest improvement was on the defensive side, finishing fourth in the FCS in total defense (278.9) and among the top 10 in rushing defense and passing yards allowed.
BIG SHOES TO FILL
Davidson will be without some record-setting players this spring, the program's all-time leading rusher, Wesley Dugger, and defensive tackle Bryce Perry-Martin '20. Perry-Martin graduated last spring as the program's all-time leading sacker. Classmate Ethan Steinbacher '20 joined Perry-Martin and Dugger on the All-PFL first team in 2019. Steinbacher was a force on Davidson's offensive line, one of the most productive rushing units in the nation over the past two seasons.
SETTING A P.A.C.E. FOR CHANGE
In response to the racial tension, social unrest and the prevalence of systematic racism in our country, Davidson football created P.A.C.E. (Progress, Advocate, Cooperate, Educate). The mission of P.A.C.E. is to lead the team, campus, community and country in promoting equality, unity and opportunity. In late August, the team hosted a gathering on the front lawn of Chambers to speak out against racism and actively fight for change.
SCOUTING THE PHOENIX
Elon remains one of the premiere FCS programs heading into the spring campaign. The Phoenix checked in at number 21 on the HERO Sports FCS Preseason Poll and are "on the cusp," ranked number 26 in the Athlon Sports Preseason Top 25. Elon returns seven starters on offense and eight on defense from a squad that finished 5-6 in 2019.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can connect directly with the Davidson Football staff on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Davidson-Football), Twitter (@DavidsonFB) and Instagram (@DavidsonFootball). Head coach Scott Abell is on Twitter and can be found at @Scott_AbellFB.
Be sure to check out The Coach's Corner with Scott Abell every Monday powered by Atrium Health. Coach Abell will discuss the previous week and look ahead to the upcoming opponent, giving fans an inside look into the Wildcat football program.
ON DECK
The Wildcats return in a few weeks with their Pioneer Football League opener at Stetson on Saturday, March 13. Kick-off from Deland, Fla. is slated for 1:00 p.m.
