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Elon football enters FCS Top 25 for first time in ’23

Phoenix riding three-game win streak, upset William & Mary on Saturday

Published

October 2, 2023

Elon beat a top-five ranked opponent on Saturday and moves into the Top 25 for the first time this regular season. (Photo/graphic courtesy Elon athletics).

BY JASON KNAVEL | Elon Associate AD for Strategic Communications

In the midst of a three-game win streak and following on the heels of a 14-6 win over then-No. 5/4 William & Mary, the Elon Football team returned to the top 25 Monday. Elon earned 166 votes in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll, presented by FedEx Ground and voted on by members of the media.

After starting the year 0-2, Elon has posted consecutive wins over North Carolina A&T (27-3), Campbell (28-24) and William & Mary (14-6). The Phoenix are 3-0 in CAA Football play and hold sole possession of first place in the league standings.

Among CAA teams, Delaware leads the way at No. 9 in the poll with William & Mary just a spot behind. Elon is the third CAA Football team in the top 25 poll at No. 25. New Hampshire, Rhode Island, UAlbany and Villanova are all receiving votes and are the first four teams outside of the top 25.

Elon returned to the top 25 for the first time in 2023. The Phoenix ended the 2022 season ranked No. 17 in the country after earning an at-large bid to the NCAA playoffs.

Elon’s next opponent, North Carolina Central, is ranked No. 14 in the country after a 4-1 start to the season. The Phoenix will host the Eagles Saturday at 2 p.m. looking to extend its Rhodes Stadium record eight-game winning streak.