Elon upsets No. 2 James Madison, ends 20-game CAA win streak
HARRISONBURG, Va. -- Davis Cheek connected with Avery Jones on a 15-yard touchdown pass with 1:17 to play and Elon upset FCS second-ranked James Madison 27-24 on Saturday, ending the Dukes' record 20-game Colonial Athletic Association winning streak.
It was James Madison's first conference loss since a 44-41 defeat to William & Mary on Oct. 31, 2015.
Set up by Gregg Liggs Jr.'s fumble recovery, Cheek engineered a 10-play, 74-yard drive and found Jones in the corner of the end zone. Connor Christianson sealed it with an easy interception in the closing seconds.
Malcolm Summers' career-long 59-yard TD run -- Elon's longest play of the season -- put the Phoenix (4-1, 2-0) up 20-12 early in the fourth quarter, but the Dukes (4-2, 2-1) closed to 20-18 on Trai Sharp's 6-yard run and pulled ahead 24-20 after DiNucci hit Riley Stapleton on 10-yard touchdown pass.
But Stapleton fumbled on James Madison's next possession and Elon took advantage.
Cheek was 16 of 32 for 286 yards passing and Summers gained 186 yards on 20 carries.
DiNucci was 24 of 41 for 316 yards for the Dukes, who entered the game riding an FCS-best 19-game home win streak. Ethan Ratke kicked four field goals.
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 |
2023 Sun Belt Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| James Madison | 7-1 | 11-2 |
| Appalachian State | 6-2 | 9-5 |
| Coastal Carolina | 5-3 | 8-5 |
| Old Dominion | 5-3 | 6-7 |
| Georgia State | 3-5 | 7-6 |
| Marshall | 3-5 | 6-7 |
| Georgia Southern | 3-5 | 6-7 |
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Troy | 7-1 | 11-3 |
| Texas State | 4-4 | 8-5 |
| South Alabama | 4-4 | 7-6 |
| Arkansas State | 4-4 | 6-7 |
| Louisiana | 3-5 | 6-7 |
| Southern Miss | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| UL Monroe | 0-8 | 2-10 |
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