Gonzales, special teams lead Western Carolina in 24-17 comeback win over Elon
ELON, N.C. -- — Cole Gonzales scored on a 6-yard touchdown run to give Western Carolina the lead with just under four minutes left and Ken Moore Jr. later blocked a field-goal attempt that Jordy Lowry returned for a touchdown as the Catamounts beat Elon 24-17 on Saturday.
TJ Thomas darted around the right end and raced 60 yards untouched barely a minute into the second half to give the FCS 22nd-ranked Phoenix a 14-3 lead, but Western Carolina rallied with three straight touchdowns to take a 10-point lead with 1:15 left.
Branson Adams powered in from the 1 midway through the third quarter to start the comeback, but the Catamounts didn't take the lead until Gonzales capped a nine-play, 54-yard drive with his TD leap over Elon defenders with 3:48 left to take a 17-14 lead. Elon attempted a 44-yard field goal to tie with 1:15 left that was blocked by Moore and turned into a 24-14 lead by Lowry. Elon kicked a 33-yard field goal with 14 seconds left to set the final margin.
Gonzales completed 23 of 36 passes for 254 yards to lead Western Carolina (1-2). Adams had 14 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown while Calvin Jones caught six passes for 98 yards.
Matthew Downing was 19-of-30 passing for 285 yards and a touchdown with an interception to lead Elon (1-2). Thomas had 14 carries for 101 yards.
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Game Information
2024 Southern Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 7-1 | 11-3 |
| Western Carolina | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| Chattanooga | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| East Tennessee State | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Samford | 3-4 | 4-7 |
| The Citadel | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| Wofford | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| Furman | 2-5 | 3-8 |
| VMI | 1-7 | 1-11 |
2024 Coastal Athletic Association Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond | 8-0 | 10-3 |
| Rhode Island | 7-1 | 11-3 |
| Villanova | 6-2 | 10-4 |
| Delaware | 6-2 | 9-2 |
| New Hampshire | 6-2 | 8-5 |
| Stony Brook | 5-3 | 8-4 |
| Towson | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Elon | 5-3 | 6-6 |
| William & Mary | 4-4 | 7-5 |
| Monmouth | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| Maine | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| UAlbany | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| Hampton | 2-6 | 5-7 |
| Campbell | 1-7 | 3-9 |
| Bryant | 0-8 | 2-10 |
| North Carolina A&T | 0-8 | 1-11 |
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