Phoenix try to get back on track against the Presbyterian
Blue Hose
Brad McLaughlin
/Reporter
The Elon football team will face Presbyterian College at
Rhodes Stadium this Saturday at 2 p.m. in its third game of
the year. Presbyterian is a very talented Division II team
that will join Division I-AA as part of the Big South
Conference starting in the 2007-08 academic year. Last year,
Presbyterian finished 10-2 and was champion of the South
Atlantic Conference.
Offensively, the Phoenix will need to play better in order
to beat Presbyterian. Quarterback Wes Pope has looked good
this year at times, but knows that he has more to work on.
Running backs T.J. Clegg and Reggie Hall need to improve the
running average, which is only 2.5 yards per carry to provide
for a more balanced offense. Wide receivers Michael Mayers
and Terrell Hudgins have looked great this year, and should
be able to make some big plays against Presbyterian.
On the defensive side, the Phoenix have looked strong.
Middle linebacker Chad Nkang has continued to be a dominant
force and currently leads the team in tackles. Linebacker
Danny Boback is having a career year and has helped stuff the
run and put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. As a
result of Elon’s pressure up front, Presbyterian will
be forced to throw the ball. The secondary has been thrown on
a lot this year, but has shown they are ready for the
challenge. Karlos Sullivan recently was named Southern
Conference Freshman of the Week for his performance against
Towson.
Special teams has been a bright spot for Elon this year.
Michael Mayers leads Southern Conference in kick return
average. Kicker Andrew Wilcox has been solid this year. When
punter Andrew Fearheily went down with an injury against
Towson, Wilcox stepped in and showed his ability at both
kicking positions.
This year, Presbyterian is currently 2-1 and ranked 14th in
the current Division II standings. The only loss came in a
close 21-13 game against Charleston Southern, a Division 1-AA
team. The team led by a stout defense that features preseason
All-American middle linebacker Antwan Thomas. He leads the
team in sacks this year and is second in tackles.
Three other impact players on defense are defensive end Adam
McKinney, strong safety Chad Burgess and linebacker Cheyenne
Keener.
Presbyterian is led by quarterback Mitch Doolittle. The
offense has struggled this year and will need to improve in
order to score against the Phoenix.
Two other players to watch for will be running back Corey
Fidler and wide receiver Justin Durant. Kicker Bret DiTullio
has had problems this year, hitting only one of four field
goal attempts.
Presbyterian is coached by former Georgia Southern defensive
coordinator Tommy Spangler. Spangler is in his sixth year as
head coach and has led Presbyterian to a 37-20 record in his
tenure. In their meeting last year, the Phoenix defeated
Presbyterian 34-19 in their third game.
Last week the Phoenix lost to Towson, 24-17 in a hard fought
game. The Phoenix struggled in the beginning of the game and
head coach Pete Lembo was not pleased.
“I was disappointed with how the team came out of the
gate,” Lembo said. “You can’t start games
like that against a good team and put yourselves in a hole.
The team did not play smart enough.”
Down 24-3 in the third quarter, many thought the game was
over, but the Phoenix stormed back behind two touchdowns from
running back T.J. Clegg. Elon had a chance to tie it at the
end but were stopped on fourth down after a last minute
drive.
Contact Brad McLaughlin at pendulum@elon.edu or
278-7247. | 
