Sky divers, a sold out Rhodes Stadium, family weekend and a student section that did not empty by halftime: Saturday’s football game had all the makings for a Phoenix upset of Appalachian State University. Too bad nobody told the No. 5 Mountaineers.

On a day when offense was abundant, Appalachian State [4-1] pulled away from the 24th ranked Phoenix [2-2] with a 28-point fourth quarter, winning 49-32. After the game, Elon head coach Pete Lembo said it was an emotional and exhausting afternoon.

“I thought it was a heck of a football game,” Lembo said. “We were certainly competitive, but down the stretch they made fewer mistakes and more plays.”

The Moutaineers appeared to be breaking the game open on several occasions, but Michael Mayers, Phoenix wide receiver and kick returner had other plans, scoring on a 100-yard kick return and a 21-yard reception and setting up another touchdown with an 83-yard kickoff return. When the day was over he owned the Southern Conference record 387 all-purpose-yards.

“It was great blocking by the return team,” Mayers said of his impressive returns. “Anyone could have run through those holes.”

The previous record was 343 yards, set by Appalachian State’s Devon Fowlkes in 2004.

Unfortunately for the Phoenix, Mayers was the only bright spot the team had in the second half. On the defensive side of the ball, Elon could not contain the combined running attack of running backs Kevin Richardson, Devon Moore and quarterback Trey Elder. Those three players combined for 341 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

“As a football team you have to run the ball,” Richardson said. “Then you let your defense catch its breath. You can’t go in there and just throw bombs every time.”

The Mountaineers’ win can also be attributed to the team converting nine of 15 third downs. The Phoenix had several chances to stop Appalachian State on third and long situations, but the Mountaineers kept finding ways to move the sticks.

“We just didn’t make as many plays as we needed to,” said senior defensive back Walker White.

Offensively, the Phoenix never found a rhythm, quarterback Scott Riddle said. For the first time this season, wide receiver Terrell Hudgins was held scoreless and was neutralized by the Mountaineers’ defensive backs.

The Phoenix may have lost, but most of the record crowd of 13,100 stayed until the Mountaineers’ final touchdown with three minutes left in the game. Senior Nolan Wildfire, who led the Elon crowd with cheers and could be seen standing on the railing with a bright yellow “L” on his chest, was disappointed with the loss, but not with the team.

“I’m disheartened, but the scoreboard was not indicative of our play on the field,” Wildfire said. “Attending this game was a memorable experience for all that were involved.”

The Phoenix does not have time to worry about Saturday’s loss though, it must travel to Western Carolina University this week. The Catamounts [1-4] are giving up more than 42 points-per-game this season. They also surrender almost 200 passing yards-per-game, which bodes well for the pass-happy Phoenix that ranks second in the nation in pass offense.

Lembo is excited and impressed with the way his team is playing, even after Saturday’s loss.

“Every week we’re learning a little bit more about our team,” Lembo said. “We think we can win every game, but we have to play well to do so.”

Last season the Phoenix defeated the Catamounts 37-19. It was the first SoCon win the Phoenix had since 2004.

Sports Editor: Jeff Rickel - 10/03/07