The Elon University football team released its 2022 schedule, which includes 11 total games, eight of which are against Colonial Athletic Association opponents.
Elon begins its campaign on Sept. 3 with a road game against the Vanderbilt University Commodores, a Southeastern Conference opponent. This will be Elon’s only game this season against an FBS opponent. Vanderbilt won the only previous meeting between the schools 45-14 in 2011.
After a game at Wofford University, Elon will play its first game at Rhodes Stadium on Sept. 17 against Gardner-Webb University. The Phoenix open up conference play the next week with a trip to William & Mary on Sept. 24 and play its first CAA home game Oct. 1 against the University of Richmond.
The Phoenix’s final game of the season is at Hampton University on Nov. 12, one of four new members for the CAA this season. The teams have never met before.
Five of Elon’s games will be at Rhodes Stadium, where the Phoenix compiled a 2-3 record in 2021. The other six games will be on the road. This is the second straight season Elon will play five home games and six road games.
For the second straight season, Elon will play its 11 games in consecutive weeks with no byes in between. Head coach Tony Trisciani said in a press release that playing 11 straight weeks could provide a challenge for the team but is confident a week 12 bye following the team’s final regular season could help if the Phoenix qualify for the postseason.
“We will have to manage the volume and intensity of our practices to keep our players healthy and prepared later in the season,” Trisciani said. “Our goal is to win one game a week and be in position to contend for a CAA Championship and NCAA playoff spot in November, so that we can take full advantage of our week 12 bye.”
Season tickets are now on sale and individual game tickets will go on sale at a later date. Tickets are free for students.