Complete Game Notes
This week’s game
The Terriers take to the road when they travel to Elon on Saturday for a Southern Conference match-up. Wofford is coming off a 42-14 win at home over Western Carolina last week to improve to 3-0 in the conference. The game this weekend will match two of the best offensive teams in the Southern Conference. Wofford is first in rushing offense, while the Phoenix are first in passing offense. In addition, the Elon defense is ranked first in the conference. After eight weeks of the season, Wofford has the nation’s second-ranked rushing offense at 352.0 average yards and the second ranked total offense in the nation with 481.67 average yards. The scoring offense is ninth in the nation, while the passing efficiency is first in the country. The rushing defense is 25th in the nation, allowing only 107.67.0 average yards, and the turnover margin is second in the nation. In the Sports Network Poll the Terriers are fourth and in the FCS Coaches Poll the Terriers are ranked sixth, with one first place vote. Wofford was picked to finish third in the conference by the SoCon Coaches. Elon has begun the season 7-1 overall and are 5-0 in the conference. The lone loss was in the season opener to Richmond. In the conference, they have defeated Georgia Southern, Furman, Chattanooga, Samford and The Citadel. They were picked to finish second in the preseason by the SoCon Coaches. Currently they are ranked third in the Sports Network poll, with one first place vote, and seventh in the FCS Coaches Poll.
About Wofford
Wofford has opened the season 5-1 overall, with wins over Presbyterian, Charleston Southern, Georgia Southern, Chattanooga. The Terriers are the 2008 defending Southern Conference Champions. The Terriers return 43 letterwinners from last season, including six offensive starters, four defensive starters and two specialists. In addition, six other players with at least two starts return for Wofford. Wofford finished the 2007 season 9-4 and were 5-2 in the Southern Conference. Wofford runs the wingbone offense, led by senior quarterback Ben Widmyer. The multiple defense is led by first team All-SoCon linebacker Seth Goldwire.
About Elon
Elon enters the game at 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the conference. Last season they finished7-4 overall and 4-3 in the Southern Conference, tied for third place. Head Coach Pete Lembo is in his third season at Elon and has posted a 12-10 record. Overall, he is 56-24 in eight seaons as a head coach. The Phoenix return 18 starters from last year amd 38 overall lettermen. Elon runs a multiple offense led by 2007 SoCon Freshman of the Year Scott Riddle and a 4-3 defense led by preseason first-team linebacker Corey Weaver.
The Elon Series
Wofford and Elon have faced each other 31 times, with Wofford holding a 21-10 advantage in the series. The teams first met in 1921, a 20-7 win by the Terriers. Since both teams have been members of the Southern Conference, Wofford holds a 4-1 lead in the series. At Rhodes Stadium, Wofford has a 3-0 advantage and overall in North Carolina Wofford has an 8-3 lead. Last season marked the Phoenix first win over Wofford since 1995.
Injury Update
Wofford opened the season without punter Chris Tommie (knee), offensive lineman Grant Duren (leg) and tight end Joseph Inman (knee). All three players are expected to take a medical redshirt and return in 2009. Players that missed the Western Carolina game due to injury were running back Sean Lees (right knee), running back Matthew Boggs (left knee) and safety Trey Diller (pelvis). All three will miss the remainder of the season. Against Western Carolina, linebacker Keaton Thompson (ankle) and Layton Baker (bicep) were injured.
Last Meeting
Wofford College was defeated 24-13 by Elon on October 20 at Gibbs Stadium. Elon took an early 14-0 lead by scoring on their firs two possessions of the game. Wofford had a ten-yard touchdown run by Josh Collier and a three-yard touchdown run by Michael Hobbs for a 14-13 Elon lead at the half. In the second half, the Terriers had a season-high four turnovers on three fumbles and an interception. The Phoenix were able to add a touchdown and field goal for the 24-13 final score. The Terriers were outgained 442 to 400 in total yards.
The loss ended a seven-game winning streak at Gibbs Stadium. The win by Elon was the first over the Terriers since November 4, 1995, as Wofford had won five straight in the series. Wofford committed four turnovers in the game and was held scoreless in the second half. Kevious Johnson had 129 yards rushing.
Wofford in the national rankings
After the first eight weeks of the season, the Terriers are looking good in the national rankings. The rushing offense is second in the nation at 352.0 yards per game and the total offense of 481.67 yards per game is also second. The rushing defense is 25th and the passing efficiency is first in the nation. Wofford is second in the nation with a +1.83 turnover margin. The defense is fourth in the nation with 3.67 sacks per game, while the offense is second in the nation with just .17 sacks allowed per game. Ben Widmyer is 60th in the nation with 69.33 rushing yards per game. Dane Romero is 55th in the nation with 71.8 yards per game. Romero and Patrick Mugan are tied for 21st in the nation with 8.00 points per game. Mike Rucker is 31st in the nation in kickoff returns with 25.05 yards per game. Seth Goldwire is 64th in the nation with an average of 8.50 tackles per game. Mitch Clark is tied for 15th in the nation with 0.83 sacks per game and Matt Norcia and Eric Eberhardt are 81st with 0.50 sacks per game.
The Terriers in the conference rankings
Wofford is also at the top of several categories in the conference rankings after the first eight weeks. Wofford leads the SoCon in rushing offense, total offense, turnover margin, kickoff returns, passing efficiency, sacks, tackles for loss and sacks allowed. The Terriers are second in scoring offense and rushing defense and third in net punting. In the top ten conference rushers, Wofford has Dane Romero (5th), and Ben Widmyer (7th). Widmyer is 6th in the conference in total offense. Mike Rucker is third in the conference on kickoff returns. On defense, Seth Goldwire is fifth in tackles (8.50 per game). Mitch Clark leads the conference in sacks, while Matt Norcia and Eric Eberhardt are tird for fifth in sacks. Clark also is second in the conference in tackles for loss (1.08). Dane Romero and Patrick Mugan are tied for third in scoring.
