By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Rushawn Baker ran for three touchdowns and 156 yards as Elon’s football team won its home finale, beating Maine 31-25 on Saturday afternoon at Rhodes Stadium.
The Phoenix (5-6 overall, 4-3 CAA) has won three games in a row going into Saturday’s finale at North Carolina A&T.
“I wish we could’ve won our home games in front of our people early in the season,” Elon coach Tony Trisciani said. “We had some great crowds and a lot of support. I appreciate that everyone kept coming back and supporting us here on the back end.”
Matthew Downing threw for 299 yards and one touchdown, and Chandler Brayboy racked up 138 receiving yards on three catches.
Elon never trailed, but Maine (5-6, 3-4) kept it interesting.
With the Black Bears in position to take the lead in the third quarter, Caleb Curtain intercepted Maine quarterback Carter Peevy in the end zone. The Phoenix then marched 84 yards, with Baker scoring from 6 yards out for a 21-10 lead.
It took Maine only three plays to answer with a touchdown and two-point conversion, closing within 21-18.
Elon trumped that, with Brayboy’s 30-yard kickoff return followed immediately by Downing’s 70-yard TD strike to Brayboy.
Luke Barnes’ 40-yard field goal expanded Elon’s lead to 31-18. The final points came on Maine’s touchdown with two seconds remaining, and the Phoenix recovered the ensuing onside kick.
With T.J. Thomas Jr. out with an injury, Baker has become Elon’s main ball carrier. He had 27 of the team’s 30 carries against Maine.
