Elon vs. Towson Game Recap By DJ Harding
Elon opened the game with a 62-yard, 13-play drive that ended with a field goal. The drive was fueled by the Elon rushing attack, led by running back T.J. Thomas Jr. and quarterback Landen Clark. Thomas Jr. finished the game with 53 rushing yards on 13 carries, while Clark added 81 rushing yards on 17 scrambles.
Towson’s opening drive lasted only six plays before ending in a punt. The Tigers’ defense kept the game close at 3–0 as Elon missed a field goal at the end of its second drive.
Towson’s second drive went worse than the first, as the Tigers went three-and-out, giving the ball right back to Elon.
Elon’s third drive began late in the first quarter and carried over into the second. The Phoenix marched 87 yards in 15 plays, capping off the drive with a rushing touchdown by Thomas Jr.
Elon took a 10–0 lead behind 133 rushing yards from its offense. Joining the Thomas Jr. and Clark rushing tandem was Jimmyll Williams, the reigning Co-Offensive Player of the Week. Williams entered the game coming off a 172-yard, one-touchdown performance against Hampton. Against Towson Tigers, Jimmyll Williams finished with 90 rushing yards on 14 carries.
GROUND. AND. POUND.
— Elon Football (@ElonFootball) October 4, 2025
15 plays, 87 yards, 8:22 off the clock and TJT finds pay dirt!#PhoenixRising | #AED pic.twitter.com/jgg4wtX5Pj
Towson’s third drive ended like the previous two — with a punt — making it three drives and three punts in the first half.
Elon closed the half with another long drive, going 15 plays for 64 yards, but missed a field goal for the second time in the game. The Phoenix still held a 10–0 lead going into halftime.
Towson received the ball to begin the second half but once again went three-and-out, punting for the fourth straight time. The Tigers’ defense kept them in the game, however, when Jasin Shiggs intercepted Landen Clark and returned it 21 yards.
Unfortunately for Towson, the offense went three-and-out again, giving the ball back to Elon. The Phoenix held possession for 10 plays and 35 yards before punting once more.
Towson’s offense finally showed signs of life, putting together an 8-play, 68-yard drive that reached the one-yard line. However, a crucial third-down penalty stalled the drive, forcing the Tigers to settle for a field goal, cutting the deficit to 10–3.
The Tiger defense continued to hold strong, forcing a three-and-out and giving the offense another opportunity. But Elon’s defense answered back, intercepting true freshman quarterback Andrew Indorf. On the very next play, Jimmyll Williams caught a short pass and took it 47 yards to the five-yard line.
Elon finished off the drive with a rushing touchdown by Dan Fredrick, extending its lead to 17–3.
Towson, showing some late fight, drove into the red zone again but faced a fourth-and-one situation. The Tigers were unable to convert, turning the ball over on downs and remaining down 17–3.
Elon, looking to run out the clock and force Towson to use its timeouts, ran three plays for eight yards. The Tigers regained possession with three minutes remaining, still trailing by 14.
Towson reached the red zone for the third time but once again turned the ball over on downs, sealing Elon’s 17–3 victory.
“Very disappointing,” Towson head coach Pete Shinnick said postgame. “We’ve got to find a way to get the team moving.”
Towson had three red zone trips but came away with only three points. The Tigers are now 0–2 at home this season. When asked about the slow home start, Coach Shinnick added, “It’s frustrating.”
Towson will look to secure its first home win of the season next Saturday in another CAA matchup when Monmouth comes to town.
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