Elon is still reaching for Appalachian's stature

[Appaholic]

By Lenox Rawlings | Journal Columnist

Published: November 15, 2009

ELON -- On a pristine autumn afternoon, Elon fans opened their tailgates like Appalachian State.

They partied like Appalachian State. They bragged about imminent glory like Appalachian State.

But there was one slight distinction. Elon's football team still doesn't play like Appalachian State. The 27-10 final score -- it wasn't nearly that close -- verified the status quo and certified the Mountaineers' fifth consecutive Southern Conference championship.

About an hour after sundown, Commissioner John Iamarino marched onto the field and awarded the trophy, suitable for bus transport back to Boone. One potential complication: If Western Carolina somehow upsets ASU next week and Elon ties for first, the league would have to spring for a duplicate trophy.

Equality would end right there. This wipeout, with a record Rhodes Stadium crowd of 14,167 watching, assured ASU (8-2, 7-0 SoCon) of the league's automatic NCAA playoff spot. Elon (8-2, 6-1) had been ranked sixth in the national media poll, one rung above ASU, and might get an at-large bid even if it stumbles at Samford.

A Western win in Boone might seem outlandish except for one unknown medical fact. Quarterback Armanti Edwards took a shot while throwing a pass just before halftime and something happened to his right knee, which limited his repertoire thereafter.

Edwards reported minimal pain and maximum uncertainty, pending further tests. He could skip the WCU game as a precaution before ASU pursues its fourth NCAA title in five seasons.

"As long as we stay injury-free," Edwards said, "we'll be a very tough team to go up against."

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009 ... olumnists/

[dbackjon]

Nice article. Good to see the Elon faithful get excited, even if they were disappointed

[PhoenixSupreme]

Hopefully we can rebound from this game and not suffer from that November funk that we have been through the two seasons prior. I don't expect an easy one this week against Samford though, because they know they have a chance to play spoiler to our playoff chances.

[Appaholic]

Hopefully we can rebound from this game and not suffer from that November funk that we have been through the two seasons prior. I don't expect an easy one this week against Samford though, because they know they have a chance to play spoiler to our playoff chances.

Yeah...beware Samford...they are well-coached & tough...attempting to play spolier is all they have left to play for this season...

[ASUMountaineer]

Hopefully we can rebound from this game and not suffer from that November funk that we have been through the two seasons prior. I don't expect an easy one this week against Samford though, because they know they have a chance to play spoiler to our playoff chances.

Yeah...beware Samford...they are well-coached & tough...attempting to play spolier is all they have left to play for this season...

Yeah, this game will tell Elon a lot about what they have. If they can show up and beat Samford...then they will know they have a good team that is on the rise. If they lose, they will show it was a lot of hype. I'm hoping they go down there and rock Samford. Makes our win look better too.