THE PENDULUM

Cullowhee, N.C – On the first play of the game, the suspense was taken out of the air with a 44-yard pass from Elon junior quarterback Scott Riddle to senior wide receiver Terrell Hudgins. With this catch, Hudgins became the all-time leader in career receiving yards in the FCS passing Jerry Rice who had 4,697 career receiving yards. Elon was held scoreless on this drive, but goes into halftime with a 21-14 lead.

Elon scored first on a 26-yard rush by Elon junior running back Brandon Newsome with 3:26 left in the first quarter. Western Carolina responded on its next drive, scoring on a 9-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Zack Jaynes to wide receiver Chris Everett to tie the game with 20.4 seconds left in first quarter.

The Phoenix was able to capitalize on a Western Carolina turnover. The Catamounts fumbled on a punt return and Elon recovered on the 18-yard line by senior defensive lineman Jordan Daniel. Two plays later, Newsome was running into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game on an 18-yard run to put the Phoenix up 14-7 with 11:47 left in the second quarter.

But the Catamounts quickly responded again with Jaynes completing a 35-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marquel Pittman with 9:49 left in the half.

Elon marched up the field on its next drive with a 46-yard pass from Riddle to Hudgins to put the Phoenix in the red zone again. The Phoenix completed its seven- play , 71-yard drive on a touchdown from Riddle to Hudgins from the 2-yardline on fourth and goal.

Hudgins has six catches and 124 total receiving yards in the first half with one touchdown reception. Riddle is 13-15 with 157 yards and one touchdown pass.

Elon sophomore running back Jamal Shuman leads all Phoenix rushers with 57 running yards. Western Carolina running back Michael Johnson leads all rushers with 93 total yards.