Elon’s football team is going into the 2022-23 season looking to improve on its 6-5 record from last season. After the team’s Aug. 20 scrimmages before the beginning of the season on Sept. 3, head football coach Tony Trisciani said that the practice was high intensity and physical.

“Guys flew around, played hard,” Trisciani said. “Typically the first scrimmage, the defense seems to be a little ahead of the offense, and we saw that today.” 

Following the departure of former quarterback Davis Cheek, the team will need to fill the offensive gap this year. Trisciani said the search for a new quarterback is a two-man race between redshirt junior Joey Baughman and redshirt senior Matthew McKay.

“We rotated Joey and Matt through the ones and the twos so they got about equal reps with each group. And we’ll go back and evaluate that film,” Trisciani said. “We’re looking at the full body of work here through camp, and we’ll continue to do that through next week.”

McKay, a Raleigh native, transferred to Elon this past year. He began his career in 2017 at North Carolina State, where he played for two seasons before transferring to Montana State to play the 2021 fall season. Trisciani said McKay makes smart decisions at quarterback.

“He’s a quick decision maker, he’s calm out there, he makes fast decisions and he has the ability to run the ball,” Trisciani said.

Joey Baughman, from Wadsworth, Ohio, came to the Phoenix in 2018 and has waited his turn for minutes. Trisciani praised his ability to throw and run the ball.

“He’s a dual-threat quarterback,” Trisciani said. “He’s a great runner. He can also throw the ball — he threw for over 3,000 yards in high school. So Joey, he’s not just a wildcat quarterback, even though that’s what we’ve used him for some in the past.” 

The team will look to choose between the two and tweak any problems before it faces the first matchup of the season against Southeastern Conference opponent Vanderbilt University on Sep. 3. The Phoenix last played Vanderbilt back in 2011 and lost 14-45. 

Sixth-year senior and defensive line Torrence Williams said he will prepare the same way he has throughout his career.

“I just take it day by day. I’m doing what I’m supposed to, taking care of my body and making sure I’m healthy so that when the game comes, I’m ready to play and give it 100%.” Williams said.

This season, the Phoenix has its sights set on major accomplishments such as a trip to the CAA championship and a return to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. But Trisciani agreed with Williams’ philosophy and is coaching his team to treat each day like a new challenge. 

“We want to compete for a national championship, but we’re going to go out there and try to win one game a week,” Trisciani said. “That’s the plan.”