Elon football dominates North Carolina Central 42-19 in key win

On Saturday, Elon University faced North Carolina Central in Durham, North Carolina, achieving a decisive 42-19 victory. The game marked a significant turnaround for Elon, who had previously suffered a 26-3 loss to Duke in their season opener. Matthew Downing led the offense with 237 passing yards and a touchdown, while TJ Thomas Jr. contributed significantly with 152 rushing yards and a touchdown, helping the team establish a commanding 24-0 lead by the second quarter. North Carolina Central managed to score late in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 24-6 with a 2-yard touchdown run by J’Mari Taylor. However, Elon quickly responded with a field goal and a defensive touchdown from Jesse Powell II, who returned an interception for a score. This sequence of events underscored Elon's dominance throughout the game. The Eagles attempted to rally with a touchdown pass from Walker Harris to Joaquin Davis, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit. Harris completed 16 of 24 passes for 181 yards, but his performance was marred by three interceptions. J’Mari Taylor was a bright spot for NCCU, rushing for 54 yards and a touchdown. This victory not only snapped Elon’s five-game nonconference losing streak but also marked their first nonconference road win since September 2022. Coach Tony Trisciani's career record improved to 27-26, reflecting a positive trajectory for the program following a challenging start to the season.