ELON, N.C. ? The Elon University Department of Athletics has announced the 2009 Phoenix football schedule ? its seventh slate as a member of the Southern Conference and 11th as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. The 11-game schedule ? five at home and six away ? consists of six opponents that earned a winning record last season and three that advanced to postseason play.
“The 2009 season promises to be an exciting one for our football program,” Elon coach Pete Lembo said. “In addition to the ever-challenging SoCon lineup, our out-of-conference slate features a perfect mix of opponents for our constituents to enjoy.”
Prior to the eight-game league schedule, the Phoenix will open the slate with three nonconference opponents by hosting Davidson on Sept. 5 and visiting Presbyterian on Sept. 12 and Wake Forest on Sept. 19. Elon will then open SoCon play when Georgia Southern visits Rhodes Stadium on Sept. 26 during the Phoenix’s Family Weekend.
“The Wake Forest game gives us a chance to compete against an in-state FBS opponent and an academic peer. This opportunity will provide great exposure for our football program and for the University as a whole,” Lembo said. “Presbyterian College is a long-time rival of Elon’s on the gridiron and the Davidson game gives us another opportunity to compete against an in-state academic peer.”
After hosting Georgia Southern, the Phoenix will visit Furman on Oct. 3 and host The Citadel on Oct. 10 before observing its open date on Oct. 17. Elon will then welcome Chattanooga to Rhodes Stadium on Oct. 24 for Homecoming before traveling to Wofford on Oct. 31 and Western Carolina on Nov. 7. After that, the Phoenix will conclude the regular season with a home game against four-time defending SoCon champion Appalachian State on Nov. 14 and a trip to Samford on Nov. 21.
Posting an 8-4 record in 2008, the 17th-ranked Phoenix claimed the program's most victories in nine years while knocking off three top-25 FCS foes in the same season for the first time ever and etching a 6-2 league ledger for sole possession of third place in the nine-team SoCon.
2009 Elon Football Schedule
Date ? Opponent (2008 Finish)
September 5 ? DAVIDSON (4-7, 7th PFL)
September 12 ? at Presbyterian (4-8)
September 19 ? at Wake Forest (8-5, T-3rd ACC Atlantic)
September 26 ? GEORGIA SOUTHERN* (6-5, T-4th SoCon) FW
October 3 ? at Furman* (7-5, T-4th SoCon)
October 10 ? THE CITADEL* (4-8, 7th SoCon)
October 17 ? OPEN DATE
October 24 ? CHATTANOOGA* (1-11, 9th SoCon) HC
October 31 ? at Wofford* (9-3, 2nd SoCon)
November 7 ? at Western Carolina* (3-9, 8th SoCon)
November 14 ? APPALACHIAN STATE* (11-3, 1st SoCon)
November 21 ? at Samford* (6-5, T-4th SoCon)
* ? Southern Conference game
FW ? Elon Family Weekend
HC ? Elon Homecoming
ALL CAPS denote home game