During these dog days of summer, while looking forward to the college football season ahead, NC Football News is also scouring YouTube channels for some of the best memories from 2022. Today we revisit back-to-back, late-game comeback wins for Elon against nationally ranked Colonial Athletic Association foes William & Mary and Richmond.
The victories, one on Sept. 24 and the other Oct. 1, put the Phoenix in prime position to earn an FCS playoff spot by season’s end – the school’s first since 2018.
Jalen Hampton played the hero role in both contests, twice rushing for game-clinching touchdowns.
Hampton’s 15-yard carry with 1:07 left against William & Mary capped an 18-point second-half rally, giving the Phoenix a 35-31 triumph in Williamsburg – in what would be William & Mary’s lone regular season loss.
Elon outscored the Tribe 19-0 in the final period. Hampton finished with three TDs and 145 rushing yards on the day.
Hurricane Ian made for a rainy Family Weekend game the following week against Richmond. Despite sloppy conditions Skyler Davis booted a 42-yard field goal with 37 seconds left in regulation to tie the contest 17-17.
Johncarlos Miller II and Hampton both scored in the overtime periods, with Hampton sealing the 30-27 triumph with an 11-yard run – untouched by the defense – in the second extra period. Quarterback Matthew McKay threw three touchdown passes on the day, helping vault Elon into the national rankings.
Below are two YouTube highlight reels we found on the two games. The first comes from the William & Mary perspective. The second, Elon’s win over Richmond, comes from the Elon News Network.
The Phoenix, who went on to finish 8-4 in 2022, will open the 2023 campaign at Wake Forest on Thursday, Aug. 31. William & Mary will be the guest for Elon’s Family Weekend game this year on Sept. 30. The rematch with Richmond will be on the road this time, on Nov. 11.
