Saturday, February 20
Elon, N.C.
1:30 p.m.
Davidson College
0-1
23
at
26
[21] Elon
1-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
DAV
0
20
3
0
23
ELON
6
6
6
8
26
Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
Football Takes No. 21 Elon to the Brink in 26-23 Setback
2/20/2021 6:24:00 PM | Football
Abell Postgame Radio Interview
ELON, N.C. – Davidson football returned to the field for the first time in over 450 days and nearly recorded an upset over nationally ranked number 21 Elon on the road at Rhodes Stadium Saturday, 26-23.
The Wildcats naturally got off to a slow start, but found their legs in the second quarter.
Trailing 9-0 early in the second, Davidson went to work. Sophomore running back Dylan Sparks found the end zone first for the 'Cats, breaking free up the middle and scampering 32 yards to pay dirt.
On the ensuing Phoenix possession, junior defensive end Chibuike Odo made his presence felt, popping the ball away from Elon tailback McKinley Witherspoon. Classmate Tyler Solomon made the recovery and Davidson went back to work.
Junior running back Coy Williams got majority of the touches on the next drive, carrying it four times and on the fourth attempt broke away for a 30-yard touchdown to push the road team up, 13-9.
After Davidson held Elon to a field goal, which was successful, senior quarterback Tyler Phelps orchestrated a third second quarter scoring drive, connecting with a wide-open Jayden Waddell for a layup touchdown and a 20-12 halftime lead.
Elon received the second half kick and quickly cut into the deficit with a 48-yard scoring scamper, but the 'Cats responded with clock eating drive that chewed up over eight minutes of game time and ended with a Caden Bonoffski 36-yard field goal. Davidson's edge was back out to five, 23-18.
In the final frame, Phelps and the 'Cats grinded out a possession that lasted nearly 10 minutes in duration, but it eventually stalled out and the ball was turned over on downs. The Phoenix rose to the occasion and pieced their way down the field, scoring the eventual game-winner with 32 ticks on the clock.
"I'm incredibly proud of our guys," said head coach Scott Abell after the game, "I think we truly expected to win this game once we got into the fight … Midway through that first half our guys expected to win. And that's exactly what this program has turned into. And for that I'm incredibly proud of them, but we've got to learn how to finish these games and finish these moments, but there's so much to take away."
The 'Cats gained 423 total yards of offense, 267 on the ground led by Williams with 113 and Sparks' 98 yards. Phelps completed 14-of-20 passes for 156 yards.
Newcomer Jonathan Hammond made a name for himself in his collegiate debut, forcing a fumble collected by junior Jalen Jefferson. Jefferson led a balanced defensive effort with six tackles.
The Wildcats open Pioneer Football League play on Saturday, Mar. 13 at Stetson. Kick off from Deland, Fla. is slated for 1 p.m.
ELON, N.C. – Davidson football returned to the field for the first time in over 450 days and nearly recorded an upset over nationally ranked number 21 Elon on the road at Rhodes Stadium Saturday, 26-23.
The Wildcats naturally got off to a slow start, but found their legs in the second quarter.
Trailing 9-0 early in the second, Davidson went to work. Sophomore running back Dylan Sparks found the end zone first for the 'Cats, breaking free up the middle and scampering 32 yards to pay dirt.
On the ensuing Phoenix possession, junior defensive end Chibuike Odo made his presence felt, popping the ball away from Elon tailback McKinley Witherspoon. Classmate Tyler Solomon made the recovery and Davidson went back to work.
Junior running back Coy Williams got majority of the touches on the next drive, carrying it four times and on the fourth attempt broke away for a 30-yard touchdown to push the road team up, 13-9.
After Davidson held Elon to a field goal, which was successful, senior quarterback Tyler Phelps orchestrated a third second quarter scoring drive, connecting with a wide-open Jayden Waddell for a layup touchdown and a 20-12 halftime lead.
Elon received the second half kick and quickly cut into the deficit with a 48-yard scoring scamper, but the 'Cats responded with clock eating drive that chewed up over eight minutes of game time and ended with a Caden Bonoffski 36-yard field goal. Davidson's edge was back out to five, 23-18.
In the final frame, Phelps and the 'Cats grinded out a possession that lasted nearly 10 minutes in duration, but it eventually stalled out and the ball was turned over on downs. The Phoenix rose to the occasion and pieced their way down the field, scoring the eventual game-winner with 32 ticks on the clock.
"I'm incredibly proud of our guys," said head coach Scott Abell after the game, "I think we truly expected to win this game once we got into the fight … Midway through that first half our guys expected to win. And that's exactly what this program has turned into. And for that I'm incredibly proud of them, but we've got to learn how to finish these games and finish these moments, but there's so much to take away."
The 'Cats gained 423 total yards of offense, 267 on the ground led by Williams with 113 and Sparks' 98 yards. Phelps completed 14-of-20 passes for 156 yards.
Newcomer Jonathan Hammond made a name for himself in his collegiate debut, forcing a fumble collected by junior Jalen Jefferson. Jefferson led a balanced defensive effort with six tackles.
The Wildcats open Pioneer Football League play on Saturday, Mar. 13 at Stetson. Kick off from Deland, Fla. is slated for 1 p.m.
Team Stats
DAV
ELON
Total Yards
423
395
Pass Yards
156
173
Rushing Yards
267
222
Penalty Yards
47
30
1st Downs
23
20
3rd Downs
10
8
4th Downs
2
0
TOP
37:25
22:35
1st Quarter
DAV 0, ELON 6
ELON - J. Baughman 8 yd run (S. Davis kickfailed), 14 plays, 75 yards, TOP 7:25
2nd Quarter
DAV 0, ELON 9
ELON - S. Davis 23 yd field goal 9 plays, 66 yards, TOP 3:45
DAV 7, ELON 9
DAV - SPARKS, Dylan 32 yd run (BONOFFSKI, C. kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:58
DAV 14, ELON 9
DAV - WILLIAMS, Coy 30 yd run (BONOFFSKI, C. kick), 5 plays, 55 yards, TOP 2:25
DAV 14, ELON 12
ELON - S. Davis 28 yd field goal 10 plays, 64 yards, TOP 2:42
DAV 20, ELON 12
DAV - WADDELL, Jayden 36 yd pass from PHELPS, Tyler (BONOFFSKI, C. kickfailed) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 0:52
3rd Quarter
DAV 20, ELON 18
ELON - J. Thomas 48 yd run (J. Baughman rushfailed), 5 plays, 67 yards, TOP 1:48
DAV 23, ELON 18
DAV - BONOFFSKI, C. 36 yd field goal 16 plays, 56 yards, TOP 8:11
4th Quarter
DAV 23, ELON 26
ELON - D. Williams 2 yd pass from J. Baughman (J. Parham pass) 7 plays, 68 yards, TOP 2:24
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
14
TD
1
YDS
156
INT
0
Players Mentioned
K
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DL
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LB
/ Football
DE
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DE
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RB
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WR
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RB
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