By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Jesse Powell II returned an interception for a touchdown as part of Elon’s strong defensive performance in Saturday night’s 41-19 victory at North Carolina Central in Durham.
Freshman running back T.J. Thomas, Jr. ran for 152 yards on 11 carries, including a 74-yard touchdown sprint to spark Elon (1-1) in avenging a loss from a year ago.
“It was a great environment,” Powell said. “I think we fed off it well. I think it’s easy to get overwhelmed sometimes or just crumble, but we fed off it. Everybody had a lot of energy.”
Matthew Downing threw for 237 yards and a touchdown for the Phoenix, which scored on its first possession of the game. Onuma Dieke gained 109 receiving yards on six catches and Jamarien Dalton had a touchdown grab.
“The best part about it is we beat a really good football program,” Elon coach Tony Trisciani said.
Elon led 24-0 late in the third quarter. But in about a 2½-minute stretch, the Eagles (1-1) posted two touchdowns. They were within 24-13 early in the fourth quarter when Downing was picked off in Elon territory, but a roughing-the-passer penalty negated that play.
“When we had those moments (that went awry), we got that momentum back,” Trisciani said.
Jack Berkowitz drilled a career-long 46-yard field goal to help the Phoenix restore order. Less than a minute later, Powell’s 40-yard pick-6 gave Elon a more comfortable gap.
Powell’s first touchdown in college involved a fascinating return as he made his way down the left sideline, leaping over a falling Eagle. Teammate Kazeem Moore helped him regain his balance after nearly tumbling to the turf.
“I played offense in high school,” said Powell, a redshirt sophomore. “I went back to my roots. I wasn’t even thinking. It was natural.”
Thomas, who had 11 carries, became Elon’s first true freshman with more than 100 rushing yards in a game in six years.
“My play-making in space and my O-line,” Thomas said of what created the big night.
Brandon Tyson and Jonathan Robinson joined Powell with interceptions.
“We have a lot of guys who are hungry to make plays,” Trisciani said.
The game was delayed for about 15 minutes in the third quarter when a portion of lights went out at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
Elon plays its next four games at home across a five-week stretch beginning with a 6:00 p.m. matchup Saturday vs. Western Carolina (0-2).
