Elon University’s football team defeated the University of Maine 31-25 in the team’s final home game of the season. With over 400 total yards, and three rushing touchdowns from senior transfer running Rushawn Baker and a resilient defense in the second half, Elon led for the entire game.
Elon wasted no time scoring to begin the game. A 46-yard completion from senior quarterback Matthew Downing to redshirt senior Chandler Brayboy would set up Baker for his first touchdown from 6 yards.
The Phoenix went into the second quarter leading Maine 7-3. After trading punts, Elon embarked on a 16 play, 75-yard drive that took up 7:45 before Baker’s second touchdown of the game expanded the lead 14-3.
It marked a career high eight touchdowns for Baker after scoring seven times in each of his last two seasons with Bucknell.
Elon had an opportunity to stop Maine on fourth-and-10 in the second quarter, but sophomore quarterback Peevy Carter kept the drive going with a completion to senior receiver Montigo Moss. Running back Jaharie Martin then broke multiple tackles to score Maine’s first touchdown.
The score cut Elon’s lead 14-10 entering halftime.
Maine had an opportunity to take the lead in the second half when they had the ball at Elon’s 6-yard line. However, redshirt junior safety Caleb Curtain picked off Carter’s pass in the end zone for his second interception of the season.
Curtain said Maine’s tendency to run routes across the field prompted him to anticipate the throw.
“They run a lot of things across the field,” Curtain said in the postgame press conference. “I saw the ball, went up and got it.”
Elon took advantage of the takeaway, driving 84 yards which ended in Baker’s third touchdown of the game.
Baker would finish the game with 156 yards and three touchdowns. Head coach Tony Trisciani credited Baker as well as the offensive line for Elon’s performance on the ground.
“Rushawn Baker was great today, but our whole line stepped up,” Trisciani said. “The job we did at the end of the game was awesome.”
Although Maine scored a touchdown and two-point conversion to make it a 3-point game, Downing found Brayboy downfield for a 70-yard score. It gave Elon a 28-18 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The deep play marked a three-week stretch where Downing has thrown for eight touchdowns and one interception.
He said other players have contributed to his performance, citing the running game and his receivers as two primary reasons.
“The guys around me do such a great job up front,” Downing said. “It starts when we get the run game going and the receivers are then making plays. As a QB, you’re really just dishing it out to let those guys make plays.”
Brayboy in particular finished the game with 3 receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown. Senior wide receiver Onuma Dieke was also impactful with 6 catches for 84 yards.
The defense showed grit, holding Maine to 8 points for most of the second half despite multiple drives starting in their territory.
Curtain said everyone on the defense knows that they have to be capable of excelling in tough situations and credited the unit’s toughness in the second half.
“We know we’re gonna be in tough spots and we have to step up together,” Curtain said. “We can’t let them score points no matter where they take the field.”
The Phoenix rode the momentum throughout the fourth quarter, finishing with a 31-25 win. It is the team’s third straight win after starting the season 2-6.
Although the Phoenix is out of contention for a Coastal Athletic Association Championship, Triciani said he was proud of the team’s resilience during the second half of the season.
“I’m really proud of the job this whole group has done in the back half of the season,” Trisciani said. “To be able to continue and believe in one another with all the injuries in November speaks volumes about our program.”
He also said he wished the seniors on the football team could get a chance to compete for a championship but expressed excitement for the seniors who are moving on.
“I hate that we weren’t able to make a return to the playoffs, but I’m so proud of what they have done,” Trisciani said. “They’ve got winning habits and they’re going to be highly successful in life.”
Downing said he was appreciative of his time at Elon. He said despite challenges along the way, he was glad to be a part of the team.
“I’m so grateful that Elon found me, and I found them,” Downing said. “College has been a unique experience with a lot of adversity, but everything happens for a reason and it led me to Elon. I’m so thankful for this place.”
This game also marked Elon’s last home game of the season.
Trisciani said he was grateful for the fans and was glad they kept coming during the later home games.
“I wish we could’ve won our home games in front of our people early in the season,” Trisciani said. “We had some great crowds and a lot of support. I appreciate that everyone kept coming back and supporting us here on the back end.”
Elon improves its record to 5-6 this season and 4-3 in conference play. The Phoenix play its final game against North Carolina A&T State University at 1 p.m. next Saturday, Nov. 23.