Furman Paladins @ Elon Phoenix
Elon scores in 1st minute, beats Furman 45-7 in home opener
ELON, N.C. -- Greg Ligg picked up a fumble 53 seconds into the game and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown, sparking Elon to a 45-7 win against Furman in its home opener Saturday night.
Sophomore quarterback Davis Cheek completed 12 of 15 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. Five different players scored touchdowns on offense for the Phoenix. Kortez Weeks caught seven passes for 114 yards.
Elon (1-1) was ranked 15th and Furman 21st in an FCS coaches poll.
Furman freshman Darren Grainger was sacked for an 8-yard loss by McAllister Ingram on the second play of the game and fumbled. Ligg recovered and took it to the end zone for Elon's first fumble recovery for a TD since October 2016.
JeMar Lincoln got the Paladins (0-2) on the board with a 7-yard run to cap an 11-play drive late in the game. The TD was his first.
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Game Information
Elon, NC
2025 Standings
| Southern Conference | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 8-0 | 9-3 |
| Western Carolina | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| East Tennessee State | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Wofford | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Chattanooga | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Furman | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| The Citadel | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Samford | 1-7 | 1-11 |
| VMI | 0-8 | 1-11 |
| Coastal Athletic Association | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 8-0 | 11-3 |
| Villanova | 7-1 | 12-3 |
| New Hampshire | 6-2 | 8-5 |
| Monmouth | 6-2 | 9-3 |
| William & Mary | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| Maine | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| Elon | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| Stony Brook | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| Towson | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| North Carolina A&T | 2-6 | 2-10 |
| Campbell | 2-6 | 2-10 |
| Bryant | 1-7 | 3-9 |
| UAlbany | 1-7 | 2-10 |
| Hampton | 0-8 | 2-10 |
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