Messer's pick preserves Elon's 35-34 victory
KINGSTON, R.I. -- Davis Cheek threw for 331 yards and three touchdowns and Warren Messer made an interception in the final minute as Elon rallied to beat Rhode Island 35-34 on Saturday for its sixth straight victory.
De'Sean McNair added 126 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Corey Joyner led the Phoenix receivers with 185 yards and a score as Elon (6-1, 4-0 Colonial Athletic Association) rolled up 498 yards offense.
Taking over on its own 20 with four minutes to go after Myles Ross' end-zone interception, Rhode Island drove to the Elon 17 before JaJuan Lawson was picked off by Messer with 28 seconds left.
Matt Pires had given the Rams (1-6, 0-4) a 34-28 lead late in the third quarter with a school-record 90-yard punt return. Elon took the lead back on its ensuing possession, scoring on McNair's 1-yard run to cap a 10-play, 68-yard drive and go on to notch the program's 500th victory.
Lawson finished with 252 yards passing and two scores, T.J. Anderson scored twice on the ground and Aaron Parker made a TD catch for the ninth straight game, extending his school record.
Game Information
2023 Coastal Athletic Association Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| UAlbany | 7-1 | 11-4 |
| Villanova | 7-1 | 10-3 |
| Richmond | 7-1 | 9-4 |
| Elon | 6-2 | 6-5 |
| Delaware | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| Towson | 4-4 | 5-6 |
| Rhode Island | 4-4 | 6-5 |
| William & Mary | 4-4 | 6-5 |
| New Hampshire | 4-4 | 6-5 |
| Campbell | 4-4 | 5-6 |
| Monmouth | 3-5 | 4-7 |
| Hampton | 3-5 | 5-6 |
| Maine | 1-7 | 2-9 |
| North Carolina A&T | 0-8 | 1-10 |
| Stony Brook | 0-8 | 0-10 |
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