news-record.com

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Elon solidified its case for a postseason football playoff berth with a 27-7 victory over Samford in Southern Conference action Saturday at Siebert Stadium.

Elon (9-2, 7-1 Southern) will learn its playoff fate when ESPNews televises the FCS selection show at 3 p.m. today. If the Phoenix receives a bid, it would be the first for the program since the move to NCAA Division I play in 1999.

In a battle of two of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision's top 15-ranked defenses, it was Elon that was able to put more points on the board in the regular-season finale for both squads.

The Phoenix's Terrell Hudgins became the all-time NCAA Division I in 100-yard receiving games with his 27th, eclipsing the century mark late in the first half. Also during the first half, the senior wide receiver became the FCS career leader in games with at least one touchdown reception when he hauled in a TD for the 33rd game of his career.

"I felt like our offense just kept hammering and fighting," said Pete Lembo, Elon's coach. "If you just keep fighting, good things are going to happen."

Elon quarterback Scott Riddle passed for 209 yards in the first half to tie the Southern Conference record with the 29th 200-yard game of his career. He completed 18 of 26 attempts in the first 30 minutes of play.

Riddle finished 27-of-41 for 278 yards with no interceptions.

The Phoenix rushing attack was led by A.J. Harris, who carried 13 times for 75 yards. Teammate Brandon Newsome finished with 52 yards rushing.

Hudgins snared 11 balls for 144 yards and is nine receptions shy of tying the FCS record of 120 in a season.

Elon 3 7 14 3 -- 27

Samford 0 0 0 7 -- 7

Elon--FG Shreiner 33

Elon--Hudgins 10 pass from Riddle (Shreiner kick)

Elon--Newsome 1 run (Shreiner kick)

Elon--A.Harris 14 run (Shreiner kick)

Sam--Ri.Fordham 6 pass from Taliaferro (Yaw kick)

Elon--FG Shreiner 22

A--4,283

Elon Samford

First downs 24 12

Rushes-yards 32-119 34-94

Passing 278 126

Comp-Att-Int 27-41-0 16-29-2

Return Yards 47 14

Punts-Avg. 6-42.2 7-45.3

Fumbles-Lost 2-1 1-0

Penalties-Yards 8-61 5-37

Time of Possession 31:58 28:02

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING--Elon, A.Harris 13-75, Newsome 16-52, Riddle 3-(minus 8). Samford, Evans 19-99, Barnett 2-4, B.Johnson 2-(minus 1), Taliaferro 10-(minus 3), Hawkins 1-(minus 5).

PASSING--Elon, Riddle 27-41-0-278. Samford, Taliaferro 16-28-2-126, Ri.Fordham 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING--Elon, Hudgins 11-144, Camp 7-68, Newsome 3-19, Mellette 2-27, A.Harris 2-12, Peterson 2-8. Samford, Ri.Fordham 5-30, Evans 3-8, Alexander 3-4, J.Lowery 2-20, Hawkins 1-50, Barnett 1-7, Covington 1-7.