Complete Game Notes (pdf)
This week’s game
The Terriers will return home this Saturday to face Elon in a key Southern Conference match-up ... Wofford will enter the game coming off their first conference win of the season, a 35-26 victory at Western Carolina ... The Phoenix defeated Chattanooga 45-10 on Saturday to remain undefeated in SoCon play ...Wofford has won six of the last seven in the series, however Elon won the last meeting in Spartanburg ... Wofford has the nation’s best rushing attack and are fourth in the country in sacks allowed ... Elon is fourth in the nation in total offense and have the second-best rushing defense along with the third best scoring defense in the nation ... Injuries have been taking their toll on the Terriers this season and as a result, Wofford has had 34 different players earn starts this season ... The Terriers are not ranked, while Elon is ranked sixth in the nation by The Sports Network and in the FCS Coaches Poll.
About Wofford
Wofford is 2-5 so far in the 2009 season with a 40-7 loss at the University of South Florida, a 42-14 win at home against Charleston Southern, a 44-14 loss at Wisconsin, SoCon losses to Chattanooga, Georgia Southern and Appalachian State, plus a win over Western Carolina. Wofford returns 44 letterwinners from last season, including four offensive starters, five defensive starters and three specialists. In addition, three other players with at least two starts return for Wofford. Wofford runs the wingbone offense, led by sophomore quarterback Mitch Allen and backs Mike Rucker and Sean Lees. The rushing offense is first in the nation with 274.00 yards per game, but the passing offense is last in the NCAA. The multiple defense is led by first team All-SoCon defensive lineman Mitch Clark and senior linebacker Gary Blount. Wofford had five players named to the Preseason All-SoCon Team. OL Pat Illig and DL Mitch Clark earned first team honors, while OL Trey Johnson, LB Gary Blount, DL Eric Eberhardt and DB Mychael Johnson were named to the second team. The Terriers were picked to finish second in the Southern Conference by the coaches and third by the media in the 2009 Preseason Polls.
About Elon
Elon is 6-1 on the season and 4-0 in Southern Conference play after a win over Chattanooga. Head Coach Pete Lembo is in his fourth season as head coach with a 26-15 and a 70-29 overall record in nine seasons. The Phoenix return 36 lettermen and 20 starters from the 2008 season in which the team posted a 8-4 record. They were 6-2 in SoCon play to finish third. On offense, they are led by quarterback Scott Riddle162-of-252 with 16 tochdowns and three interceptions. He is eleventh in the nation in total offense. Receiver Terrell Hudgins has 71 catches for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns and is first in the nation in receptions per game and receiving yards per game. Jamal Shuman has 112 carries for 583 rushing yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Joshua Jones leads the team with 52 tackles, including six tackles for loss and two interceptions. Andre Campbell has six sacks and ten tackles for loss, while Cameron McGlenn and Karlos Sullivan each have three interceptions.
The Elon Series
Wofford and Elon have played 32 times, with the Terriers holding a 22-10 lead in the series. Wofford has won six of the last seven meetings, however the Phoenix won the last meeting at Gibbs Stadium. In five meetings in Gibbs Stadium, Wofford holds a 4-1 advantage and are 13-7 all-time in Spartanburg. Since both teams joined the Southern Conference, Wofford has a 6-1 series lead. In the last meeting at Gibbs Stadium, Elon won 24-13 in 2007.
Terrier Top Ten
Here are the top ten notes of interest heading into the Elon game:
• The Terriers are first in the nation in rushing with 274.00 yards per game in 2009
• Fourteen players made their first career starts at South Florida and a total of 20 players have marked their first starts this season
• The Terriers have had only ten players start all seven games this season
• Wofford had five players named Preseason All-SoCon
• Wofford has six players among the top 25 rushers in the conference
• The Terriers have been led in tackles by five different players in the seven games this season
• Mike Rucker is second all-time in kickoff return yards with 1,833 and second in kickoff
returns with 81
• Wofford leads the SoCon in rushing and fewest sacks allowed
• Wofford opened the season 1-5 for the first time since the 1987 season and were 0-3 in
the SoCon for the first time since 2001
• The offensive line has not allowed a sack in the last three games
Injury update
Wofford opened the season without running back Jeremy Marshall, who is still recovering from a knee injury suffered in the 2008 Appalachian State game. Freshmen HB Cody Burris (clavicle) and TE Kenny Barnes (knee) will also miss the season after injuries in August camp. LB Ricco Braxton (knee, out for season), FB Eric Breitenstein (knee, out for season), DE Mitch Clark (pectoral muscle/ankle), OL Nate Page (concussion), HB Derek Boyce (knee, out for season), Hunter Hobson (knee, out for season), HB Brad Nocek (foot), TE Brad Miller (shoulder), SeQuan Stanley (back) and LB Mike Niam (knee, out for season) were out of the Western Carolina game due to injury. During the Western Carolina game, there were no significant injuries.
Wofford in the National Rankings
Seven games into the regular season, several Terriers are listed in the national rankings. Mike Rucker is 55th in the nation with a 67.57 rushing average. Rucker is also 30th among all-purpose rushers with 129.43 yards per game and he is 76th in kickoff return yards. Stephon Shelton is 40th in kickoff returns with a 23.45 average. The team is first in rushing offense, 22nd in punt returns, 39th in sacks, 34th in net punting and 4th in sacks allowed per game.
