2019 CAA Preview: Elon Phoenix

2019 CAA Preview: Elon Phoenix

Elon's first year head coach Tony Trisciani will look to lead the Phoenix back into the playoffs for the third consecutive season in 2019.

Aug 15, 2019 by Kyle Kensing
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The 2019 campaign marks the 20th anniversary of Elon’s move to NCAA Division I. An NAIA powerhouse a generation ago, the Phoenix became an independent in 1999 before joining the Big South in 2002. 

Elon celebrated its 10-year D1 anniversary with the program’s first-ever FCS Playoffs appearance. Might the 20-year milestone bring a new first for the program? The Phoenix are coming off a pair of postseason berths in 2017 and 2018, their first since that 2009 run ended in the first round against then-defending national champion—and, as of 2014, Colonial Athletic Association counterpart—Richmond. 

In all three playoff appearances, Elon bowed out in the first round by a mere 16 points combined. 

The 2019 Phoenix have a new, albeit familiar head coach in Tony Trisciani, on staff for each of the last two postseason runs. He inherits a roster capable of celebrating this anniversary season with a playoff run, should it all come together. 

“We’ve done a lot of team-bonding activities, and I know that was one of coach Trish’s main focuses was to get a team that was together,” said running back Jaylan Thomas. “We’re all in this together. I think the transition’s been good, and I’m excited to see this season, what this team has.” 


Head Coach: Tony Trisciani (first year) 

Offensive Coordinator: Drew Folmar 

Defensive Coordinator: Billy Crocker

2018 Record: 6-5 (4-3 CAA); lost in FCS Playoffs first round at Wofford, 19-7

2019 Preseason Poll: 4th, 164 points 


Defense

In his previous role as defensive coordinator, Tony Trisciani oversaw a defense responsible for 75 tackles for loss last season. Warren Messer and Matt Baker, who accounted for 23 of them, are gone. The duo also tallied 11.5 of the Phoenix’s 31 total sacks. 

The 2019 Elon defense isn’t without returning talent capable of picking up the slack, however. Defensive end Marcus Willoughby is a prime candidate to have a monster season, building off a 2018 in which he had 58 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks, and a team-leading seven quarterback hurries. 

Tackle Jordan Dollerson adds a physical presence on the interior, and linebacker Zack Monson can also build off 2018 to be a leading pass-rusher. He made five tackles for loss with 3.5 sacks. 

The secondary may be Elon’s most intriguing defensive unit. The group returns Daniel Reid-Bennett, who broke up seven passes and forced a pair of fumbles last season. Greg Liggs Jr. is a Preseason All-CAA honorable mention honoree after deflecting nine passes and picking off four passes, tied for second-most in the Colonial. The secondary also returns another key contributor from last season, albeit someone whose efforts came in a much different capacity: Jalen Greene. 

The dual-threat quarterback made four starts on offense, but moves to defense in 2019.  

Offense

Elon’s offense has the pieces to put up some of the loftiest point totals in the CAA this season. Running back Jaylan Thomas is a Preseason All-CAA honoree, and one of the most exciting ball-carriers in FCS. 

He broke out as a bona fide star for the Phoenix during the 2018 campaign, leading the multi-pronged rushing attack with 761 yards and a robust 6.6-per carry clip.

While running mate Malcolm Summers is gone, the Phoenix backfield still packs a one-two punch thanks to De’Sean McNair. McNair actually carried the ball second-most among the Elon rotation a season ago, and his six touchdowns led the team. 

The return of quarterback Davis Cheek from injury further ignites what could be an explosive offense. Cheek threw for over 1,000 yards in his six appearances, and completed a healthy 65.8 percent of his attempts. Cheek earned an honorable mention Preseason All-CAA nod. 

If Cheek delivers to his potential, the Phoenix will nicely balance a run game on par with last year’s No. 33 nationally-ranked running attack. Cheek’s not lacking for sizable targets: wide receivers Cole Taylor (6-3), Kortez Weeks (6-0), and first team Preseason All-CAA tight end Matt Foster (6-3) make up the core of Elon’s pass-catchers.

Special Teams

Both Elon’s punter and placekicker return from the 2018 squad. Hunter Stephenson handled punting duties effectively, most notably pinning opponents inside their own 20-yard line on 18 occasions. 

Placekicker Skyler Davis was virtually automatic from 39 yards and in, connecting on 14-of-15 attempts. 

Defensive back Shamari Wingard did the most damage among the returners, averaging 24.5 yards per opportunity, with a team-best 43-yard long.

The Schedule

@ North Carolina A&T, Aug. 31: Winner in three of the four Celebration Bowls, including each of the last two, North Carolina A&T has established itself as one of the most consistent FCS programs in the nation over this past half-decade. While the MEAC does not send a participant to the Playoffs, this is an important, in-state win for Elon to show the selection committee. The Aggies have proven up to par with the subdivision’s best, last year opening the campaign with a win over perennial Ohio Valley standard bearer, Jacksonville State. 

The Citadel, Sept. 7 | Watch LiveFormer SoCon counterpart The Citadel last faced Elon in 2013, a contest the Phoenix dropped, 35-10. 

@ Richmond*, Sept. 14 | Watch LiveJaylan Thomas struck his now-famous shrug pose after scoring a touchdown in last season’s 38-28 win over the Spiders. 

@ Wake Forest, Sept. 21: This marks Elon’s first game against an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent since losing to Wake Forest in 2015. The Phoenix played ACC teams in four consecutive seasons from 2011 through that season. 

James Madison*, Sept. 28 | Watch LiveA dramatic win in Harrisonburg last season gave Elon a signature win valuable enough to lock up a berth in the Playoffs. This year’s meeting isn’t just a rematch of that: It’s also the return to Elon of Curt Cignetti, the Dukes’ new head coach, who led the Phoenix each of the previous two years. 

@ New Hampshire*, Oct. 5 | Watch LiveA defensively dominant performance for the Phoenix last season powered Elon to a 30-9 win over New Hampshire. Elon travels to Durham in 2019, and it marks something of a homecoming for Tony Trisciani in his new role as head coach. Trisciani was an assistant with and later under Wildcats coach Sean McDonnell, and is a Manchester native. 

Delaware*, Oct. 12 | Watch LiveDelaware scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter to steal a second-half lead from Elon in a 28-16 Phoenix loss. DeJoun Lee and Jaylan Thomas, two of the CAA’s best running backs, will operate on opposite sides in this one. 

@ Rhode Island*, Oct. 26 | Watch LiveJaylan Thomas scored on an 86-yard touchdown run, Warren Messer ran an interception back 86 yards to paydirt, and Greg Liggs Jr. recovered an onside kick in the final minute to preserve a narrow Elon win over Rhode Island a season ago, 24-21. The Phoenix’s second trip to New England in 2019 comes off a bye week.

William & Mary*, Nov. 2 | Watch LiveHurricane Florence smashed the Eastern Seaboard last September, leading to the cancellation of the 2018 matchup. Elon missed out on the Jimmye Laycock farewell tour, but get the opportunity to welcome former Richmond head coach Mike London back to the CAA. London left for Virginia prior to the Phoenix joining the Colonial. 

Maine*, Nov. 9 | Watch LiveDefending CAA champion Maine is one of four CAA programs with first-year head coaches in 2019. Nick Charlton inherits an outstanding Black Bears roster, returning several key players from last year’s national semifinal team that capped the regular season with a 27-26 win over Elon. 

The Phoenix rallied from a two-touchdown deficit but fell just short. 

@ Towson*, Nov. 23 | Watch LiveElon had no answer for CAA Offensive Player of the Year Tom Flacco when these teams met last November. The preseason pick to repeat for the Colonial’s top offensive honor threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-10 contest.