2021 FCS Season Preview: Elon
College Sports Journal Projection: 11th
Elon had a dreadful spring season going 1-5 with the lone win coming against non-scholarship Davidson by three points. To be fair, the Phoenix were riddled with injuries for the spring and never really had a chance. Quarterback Davis Cheek has the talent to be one of the top quarterbacks in the CAA, but he couldn’t stay healthy – Elon was down to their third string quarterback for most of the spring.
When healthy, Elon has a solid offense to match their unique 3-3-5 stack defense that coach Tony Trisciani brought with him from Villanova. The Phoenix are just 3 years removed from a 2018 playoff berth where they started 6-2 before losing their last three games. A lot of the young players from that team are now senior leaders and they will be counted on to pull Elon back into the fight.
Impact Players
QB Davis Cheek has all the talent a coach would want in a quarterback. But he keeps getting bit by the injury bug, similar to former Villanova star John Robertson. If healthy, Cheek can lead this team to wins.
RB Jaylen Thomas has shown he can be the guy. In 2018 he averaged 95 yards per game. They’ll need that and more from him to be successful this season.
DB Omar Rogers played in all six games in the spring. He is still classified as a freshman and should lead this defense for the next four years. He racked up 39 tackles and 2 interceptions in the spring.
Key Game: October 2 at Richmond
Elon
| Home | Time/Results | Away | Venue | Match Day | TV/Streaming | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wofford  | 24 - 22 |  Elon | Rhodes Stadium | Elon. NC | - | - |
| Elon | 24 - 23 |  Campbell | Barker-Lane Stadium | Buies Creek, NC | - | - |
| Elon |  Appalachian State | Kidd Brewer Stadium | Boone, NC | - | - | |
William and Mary  | Elon | Rhodes Stadium | Elon. NC | - | - | |
| Elon |  Richmond | Robins Stadium | Richmond, VA | - | - | |
| Elon |  Maine | Alfond Stadium | Orono, ME | - | - | |
New Hampshire  | Elon | Rhodes Stadium | Elon. NC | - | - | |
| Elon |  James Madison | Bridgeforth Stadium | Harrisonburg, VA | - | - | |
Villanova  | Elon | Rhodes Stadium | Elon. NC | - | - | |
| Elon |  Towson | Johnny Unitas Stadium | Towson, MD | - | - | |
Rhode Island  | Elon | Rhodes Stadium | Elon. NC | - | - |
Worst Case: Injuries keep the Phoenix at bay again and they finish as a 2-3 win team.
Best Case: Davis Cheek bounces back from his injury-plagued spring, has a great season, and the offense leads the Phoenix to a 6-7 win season and contends for a playoff berth.
Jamie is a proud 2002 graduate of James Madison University. He’s witnessed the growth of the program from no one in the stands in 1998, to the hiring of Mickey Matthews, to the 2004 National Championship, to the 2008 team, to the struggles in the early 2010s, and finally the rebuild under Mike Houston. He also allegedly really enjoys Washington, DC-based Stanley Cup winners.
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