In listening to Southern Conference football teleconferences, I’m hearing much praise for Elon University senior quarterback Thomas Wilson from opposing coaches.

Great arm. Accurate. Strong arm.

I highly doubt most of those words were spoken last year, when Wilson was second in the Football Championship Subdivision with 21 interceptions.

That was going to be one of the big stories this year. Would he be able to turn around that number significantly? Through four games in 2012, he’s thrown just four picks, compared to six last year.

That’s significant improvement, right?

“Cutting down on them, that’s what I’ve worked on in the offseason, that’s what I’ve prepared for, cutting down on my turnovers, especially the interceptions,” he said after practice Tuesday. “Since then, since the beginning of the season, it’s paid off and I can see it. Other people can see it and have told me about it. I’m glad it’s worked, I’m glad what I’ve put into in the offseason has worked and paid off to this point. Hopefully, it will continue throughout the season.”

You could easily argue that two of the interceptions were not his fault. One was a fantastic play by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill cornerback Jabari Price in the Phoenix’s 62-0 loss to the Tar Heels, while the other was a pass that bounced out of the hands of Elon junior wide receiver Rasaun Rorie and was snagged by Georgia Southern corner Valdon Cooper in the third quarter of Elon’s 26-23 loss to the Eagles.

Yes, the other two were bad passes, and they’re going to come every now and then if you’re not, oh, I don’t know, it’s hard to make that comparison because everybody’s throwing interceptions now and then. Peyton Manning threw three in one quarter a couple weeks ago.

Elon head coach Jason Swepson credits the experience Wilson has for the lack of numbers in that category.

“He’s a veteran. He’s got games under his belt,” Swepson said. “You hope when you play that many snaps, you’ve got some game experience under your belt and you play in a hostile environment, and play against the good competition, you’re going to get better, and I think we’ve all seen that.”

Something Wilson has appreciated is the amount of targets he has. He and his backup, sophomore Mike Quinn, have thrown passes to twelve different receivers.

“I don’t think anybody expects to throw the ball to 12 different guys on a field,” Wilson said. “With the depth that we have at receiver in the slot and on the outside, and then our tight ends and running backs, spreading the ball out just makes it more difficult for the defense to cover everybody. Having depth at all positions that can go out and catch the ball down the field is good for us.”

[box]Twelve Different Targets Elon senior quarterback Thomas Wilson and sophomore backup Mike Quinn have thrown passes to 12 different receviers this year. They are listed below: Senior WR Aaron Mellette: 24 rec., 246 yds., 5 TD Sophomore WR Kierre Brown: 13 rec., 218 yds., 1 TD Senior WR Jeremy Peterson: 7 rec., 143 yds. Freshman RB Tracey Coppedge: 8 rec., 84 yds. RS-Freshman WR Andre Davis: 6 rec., 68 yds. Junior WR Rasaun Rorie: 6 rec., 50 yds. Senior TE Chris Harris: 1 rec., 17 yds., TD Sophomore RB Karl Bostick: 3 rec., 16 yds. RS-Freshman WR Ricky Brown: 2 rec., 14 yds., TD Freshman TE Doug Warrick: 1 rec., 9 yds. RS-Freshman WR Blake Rice: 2 rec., 8 yds. Sophomore WR Danny Sellers: 1 rec., 5 yds.[/box]

One of those targets, senior Aaron Mellette, has found his stride with Wilson after just six catches and 49 yards and a touchdown in the Phoenix’s first two games. Against West Virginia State University and Georgia Southern combined, Mellette had 18 receptions for 197 yards and four scores.

“It’s been good, getting him back on track,” Wilson said. “He helps our offense get going, and when I get the ball to him, it attracts two defenders to him and it opens up holes for the rest of the guys.”

As the season progresses, the senior from Raleigh will need to continue to play well if Elon has any hope at a SoCon championship. Swepson recognizes that.

“He’s going to continue to get better and not be complacent and just go forward,” he said. “He’s playing good football right now.”