Despite leading in almost every statistical category against The Citadel Sept. 24, it took everything the Elon University men's football team had to kick a 33-yard field goal in overtime and scrape by with an 18-15 win against The Citadel.
Although Elon heads into this weekend's matchup against Georgia Southern University at 3-1, two of Elon's wins have come in the last drive of the game, and by a combined four points.
The Phoenix knows what it needs to work on and what to change as it hosts the No. 1 ranked Eagles Saturday, Oct. 1.
"Going against the No. 1 team in the country, we can't be careless with the football," head coach Jason Swepson said. "We were lucky these past two weeks because we were better than the two other teams, but when you're the underdog, you can't be giving freebies away."
Swepson said this referring to the game against The Citadel, as well as the Sept. 17 matchup against North Carolina Central University where the Phoenix lost 5-0 in the turnover battle, yet still managed a 23-22 victory, Elon knows turnovers need to be averted to have a chance to win.
"It's going to take no turnovers on offense and an increased presence from the defense to beat Georgia Southern," senior running back Jamal Shuman said.
Junior quarterback Thomas Wilson has had six interceptions and two fumbles lost in four games.
"We're going to get Thomas (Wilson) corrected this week," Swepson said. "It's hit home with him, especially in conference play, and I have full confidence that he won't be careless with the football heading forward."
Luckily for the Phoenix, the Eagles play the same base offense as Elon saw in its previous game against The Citadel. Employing a triple-option attack, Georgia Southern leads the Southern Conference in rushing with 416 yards per game, scoring 48.3 points per game.
Since the Elon defense got an example of defending the triple option against The Citadel, the team will look to employ the same strategies against the Eagles.
Saturday's game will pit Georgia Southern's No. 1 overall offense in the conference against Elon's No. 1 defense in the SoCon so far this season.
"Against The Citadel, the defense played outstanding for us and kept us in the game," Swepson said. "It put our offense in a good position to move the ball."
Two notable players from the game against The Citadel will be relied on heavily as Elon faces the Eagles this weekend.
Junior kicker Adam Shreiner connected on four of six field goals for the Phoenix against The Citadel, including the game-winner in overtime. His performance garnered him SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week with his career-best four field goals. Junior defensive back Blake Thompson was honored by the College Football Performance Awards as an honorable mention selection for Defensive Back Performer of the Week. Thompson recorded a career-high 13 total tackles against The Citadel.
"We have confidence in our team, we just need to put it all together this weekend against one of the best teams in the nation," Swepson said.