With the score tied at 31 against Western Carolina University late in the fourth quarter, junior quarterback Thomas Wilson hit junior wide receiver Aaron Mellette for a touchdown pass for the seventh straight game. The score put Elon University ahead with 2:13 left in the game and proved to be the game-winning play, as the Phoenix held on to win 38-31.
"We showed we had the will to win," head coach Jason Swepson said. "Our big time players stepped up. It was a joy to see the group execute the play."
The Phoenix, who will play 3 p.m. Saturday at Samford University, has shown a knack for coming out on the winning end of close games this season. The team's record is 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Southern Conference, but it has won each of the three games decided by seven points or less.
After defeating Division II Concord University 42-10 on Sept. 10, Elon's last three wins have been by a combined 11 points. Senior offensive lineman Logan Hardin attributes the team's will and resilience in the closing moments of games to Swepson's preparation in his first year as a head coach.
"Since the time (Swepson) got here, he urges the fact of winning the fourth quarter," Hardin said. "Our workouts are designed to get to that point, where we're breaking down but we have to fight through to win. Our whole group is battle-tested. We don't ever give up."
Western Carolina had a chance to respond and tie the game, but Phoenix senior defensive back Jonathan Conner intercepted a pass deep in the Catamounts own half. Instead of returning the pick for a score, Conner decided to take a knee so Elon would keep the ball and preserve the win.
"We coached him up," Swepson said. "He does what he's supposed to do. By him taking a knee, we seal the win."
The Phoenix operated a more balanced attack against Western Carolina, running the ball 43 times for 153 yards and four touchdowns. Wilson threw the ball 33 times, completing 24 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown pass to Mellette, who had eight receptions for 124 yards.
Swepson said he was pleased to see a more balanced offense and would like for that to continue against Samford and in the team's remaining SoCon games.
"We have to manage the game and keep their hands off the ball," Hardin said. "We have to eliminate turnovers and play sound football."
The Phoenix will travel to Birmingham, Ala. on Saturday to play the 3-2 Samford Bulldogs. Defensively, Elon is preparing to face some similarities from another team from the state of Alabama, the defending Bowl Championship Series national champions from Auburn University.
Samford's first year offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee served as a graduate assistant the past two seasons under Auburn head coach Gene Chizik and offensive coordinator Guz Malzahn. Swepson said the team is preparing to defend an offense that will look a lot like what Auburn ran a year ago with Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton.
"There'll be a lot of formations, a lot of trickery," Swepson said. "We'll have to be disciplined on defense to stop them. We have to play physical football. It's us against the world."