Conference play takes center stage for Elon and New Hampshire on Oct. 3 as the CAA rivals square off in Durham, N.H.

The Wildcats enter the weekend looking to protect their home field against a conference rival, while the Phoenix seek an important road victory as the CAA schedule begins to intensify. 

• D3 Football Rankings 2026: Christopher Newport Jumps Into Top 10
• D2 Football Rankings 2026: Undefeated Teams Take Over FloCollege Top 10
• 3 Things To Know About The FCS Week 5 Schedule

With conference standings starting to take shape, Saturday's game could have ramifications beyond Week 5 as both teams pursue postseason aspirations.

New Hampshire Looking to Rebound at Home

New Hampshire enters its next matchup desperately searching for momentum after a difficult start to the season has left the Wildcats chasing the pack in the Coastal Athletic Association. New Hampshire will heavily rely on home-field advantage at Wildcat Stadium, where they are set to host a crucial conference game.

The Wildcats are coming off a tough 20-13 conference loss to Sacred Heart and have also dropped games to Syracuse and Harvard. Their lone victory of the season came in a 42-35 shootout over Stonehill College. 

With conference play in full swing, New Hampshire has a critical opportunity to get its first CAA win of the year and steady its course before the schedule forces them back on the road.

Elon Looking For A Road Statement

Elon heads north searching for a significant conference win against a familiar opponent. The Phoenix opened the season with victories over Glenville State and Davidson before falling to Rhode Island in conference play. Elon rebounded with a win over Sacred Heart to enter Week 5 with some momentum.

Road victories are often difficult to secure in the CAA, making Saturday's contest an important test. A win would give Elon another quality conference result and could help establish the Phoenix as a factor in the race for the upper half of the league standings.

Recent History Between The Programs

The series between Elon and New Hampshire has produced hard-fought matchups over the years as both programs have battled for position within the CAA. However, historical success heavily favors the Wildcats, who hold a 7–2 advantage in the all-time series.

The programs last met during the 2024 season, when New Hampshire traveled to Rhodes Stadium and ground out a tight 17-10 road victory. The two squads did not face each other during the 2025 season. Elon will be looking to reverse the recent trend and secure its first victory over the Wildcats since 2021, when the Phoenix claimed a 24-10 win on their home turf.

With crucial league stakes attached once again, this latest chapter carries added significance as both teams look to improve in the CAA standings.

Watch Elon vs New Hampshire Live

Fans can watch Elon vs New Hampshire live on the FloCollege Football YouTube channel. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 3 from Wildcat Stadium in Durham, N.H.

Watch The 2026 College Football Season On FloCollege

FloCollege is the home of the best FCS, Division II and Division III football action all season long. 

Don’t miss the latest college football action by bookmarking the FloCollege schedule page for the latest games. 

Join The College Football Conversation

• Follow us on Twitter @FloCollegeFB
• Follow us on Instagram @FloCollegeFootball
• Follow us on TikTok @FloCollegeFootball
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook