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 | 5-1 | 8-1 |
| Western Carolina | 4-1 | 5-4 |
| Chattanooga | 4-2 | 5-4 |
| East Tennessee State | 3-2 | 5-4 |
| Samford | 2-3 | 3-5 |
| The Citadel | 2-4 | 4-5 |
| Wofford | 2-4 | 4-5 |
| Furman | 1-3 | 2-6 |
| VMI | 1-4 | 1-8 |
2024 Coastal Athletic Association Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 5-0 | 8-1 |
| Richmond | 5-0 | 7-2 |
| Villanova | 4-1 | 7-2 |
| Delaware | 4-1 | 7-1 |
| Stony Brook | 4-1 | 7-2 |
| William & Mary | 3-2 | 6-3 |
| New Hampshire | 3-2 | 5-4 |
| Towson | 2-3 | 4-5 |
| Hampton | 2-3 | 5-4 |
| Monmouth | 2-3 | 4-5 |
| Maine | 2-3 | 4-5 |
| Elon | 2-3 | 3-6 |
| Campbell | 1-4 | 3-6 |
| UAlbany | 1-4 | 3-6 |
| Bryant | 0-5 | 2-7 |
| North Carolina A&T | 0-5 | 1-8 |
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