'Cats Head to Elon for First Road Test of 2025

GAME 2 | SEPT. 6, 2025 | 6:00 PM | RHODES STADIUM (14,000) | ELON, N.C. | FLOCOLLEGE

DAVIDSON WILDCATS
2025 Record: 0-1 (0-0 PFL)
2024 Record: 6-5 (4-4 PFL)
Head Coach: Saj Thakkar
Davidson Record (Yrs): 1st Year
Career Record (Yrs): 14-7 (3)

ELON PHOENIX
2025 Record: 0-1 (0-0 CAA)
2024 Record: 6-6 (5-3 CAA)
Head Coach: Tony Trisciani
Elon Record (Yrs): 32-32 (8)
Career Record (Yrs): Same

INSIDE THE SERIES
Meetings: 19
Series Record: Davidson leads, 16-3
First Meeting: Davidson Won, 47-0 (11/18/1921)
Last Meeting: Elon Won, 26-23 (2/20/2021)
Streak: Lost 3
In Davidson: 16-1
In Elon: 0-2
Thakkar vs. Elon: 0-0

1ST AND 10

Davidson enters 0-1 following a season-opening setback to Georgetown last weekend.
Saturday's contest marks the 20th all-time meeting between the two in-state foes.
The 'Cats lead the series 16-3, but have dropped the last three including a 26-23 loss at Elon in the Spring of 2021, the first game back from the CoVID-19 pandemic.
Davidson returns all-conference performers Mari Adams (RB), Mason Sheron (RB), Andrew Frazier (WR) and Kyler Herring (OL) from last year's team that finished 6-5 overall and 4-4 in Pioneer Football League action.
Adams, backfield mate Sheron and Herring were selected to the PFL's preseason all-conference squad as voted on by the head coaches last month.
The Wildcats have put together seven straight winning seasons, the longest stretch in program history.
Davidson plays three straight against FCS scholarship programs to open the 2025 campaign.

INSIDE THE SERIES

Saturday's meeting will be the 20th all-time between Davidson and Elon.
The Wildcats lead the all-time series, 16-3, dating back to the series inception in 1921.
The 'Cats won the first 16 matchups, but have fallen in the last three including a 26-23 loss at Elon in the Spring of 2021, the first game back from the CoVID-19 pandemic.

LAST MEETING | ELON 26, DAVIDSON 23 -- FEBRUARY 20, 2021 | 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, 26-23, on February 20, 2021.
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.
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.

UP NEXT

Davidson will conclude its brief road swing next Saturday with a 12 PM (CT) / 1 PM (ET) kick off at nationally-ranked Tennessee Tech.

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