ELON, N.C. (Interstat) — Wofford leaned on a dominant defensive performance and timely kicking to shut out Elon 16-0 in a NCAA Football Championship Division game Saturday at Rhodes Stadium. The Terriers improved to 4-3, and the Phoenix fell to 4-3. Attendance at Rhodes Stadium was 5,379. Wofford never allowed Elon to reach the end zone and preserved the shutout with three interceptions and a blocked field goal. The win gave Wofford its fourth victory of the season and handed Elon its third loss.

Wofford’s scoring came through Conner Deviney’s leg and one touchdown pass. Deviney made field goals from 42, 22 and 37 yards to stake the Terriers to a 9-0 lead. Kaeden Gilstrap later connected with Anjuan Coleman Jr. on a 6-yard touchdown pass, and Deviney’s extra point made it 16-0. Deviney missed a 40-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter, but Wofford’s defense answered when Nicholas Mathious blocked Luke Barnes’ 40-yard field goal attempt for Elon. The Phoenix could not convert any of their scoring chances, and the Terriers finished off the road shutout.

J.T. Fayard, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound quarterback from Katy, Texas, led the Wofford passing attack by completing 11 of 25 passes for 130 yards. Fayard managed the offense and helped Wofford control field position. Brady Stober, Elon’s 6-foot, 185-pound quarterback, completed 6 of 21 passes for 40 yards. The Phoenix struggled to move the ball through the air and finished without a point. Elon’s passing game never found a rhythm, and Wofford’s secondary made several key plays.

Gilstrap, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound quarterback, completed 3 of 7 passes for 20 yards and one touchdown. Coleman, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound wide receiver, caught two passes for 11 yards and the game’s only touchdown. Wofford’s defense made sure that score stood up.

Jacobi Hatter recorded four tackles for Wofford. Alijah Williams added four tackles and one quarterback hurry, while Logan McCloud led the Terriers with nine tackles. Aiden Morris finished with five tackles. Eli Campbell anchored the secondary with six tackles and two interceptions, repeatedly ending Elon possessions. Elijah Washington contributed three tackles. Zayd Rogan added one tackle and one interception, and Nicholas Mathious recorded two tackles, one quarterback hurry and the blocked field goal.

Wofford also received contributions from several offensive players. Cooper Williams caught one pass for 1 yard. Colby Alexander had one reception for 6 yards, and Jack Purdy also caught one pass for 6 yards. Jaden Fowler made two catches for 17 yards. Terrence Honeywood recorded two receptions for 32 yards. Ivory Aikens had one catch for 41 yards. John Jaraczewski carried once for 2 yards.

Cillian Bonner punted seven times for 284 yards, helping Wofford win the field-position battle. Gavin Batt returned one punt for 7 yards. Tyree Myrick, Whit Blackburn, Trenton Kintigh, Marek Marcellus and Dh’King Brown each recorded one tackle. George Rouse, Cole Walker and Mark Arthur also had one tackle apiece. Jeremiah Shelby and Tyce Donnelly each made two tackles. Ky’Ree Murphy and Jake Thorner each finished with three tackles.

Gerald Modest Jr. powered the Wofford running game with 24 carries for 107 yards, and he added three receptions for 27 yards. His production helped the Terriers drain clock and keep Elon’s offense on the sideline. Conner Deviney handled the kicking duties and made all three of his field-goal attempts before missing from 40 yards. The extra point after Coleman’s touchdown was good.

Elon’s defense kept the Phoenix within striking distance for much of the game. Derek Hite led Elon with nine tackles. Brodie Carroll added eight tackles. Jevean Brown finished with five tackles. Kamerin McDowell-Moore recorded two tackles while also carrying 25 times for 164 yards and catching two passes for 11 yards. His rushing effort was the bright spot for the Phoenix offense.

Elon quarterback Elijah Guttman completed 1 of 4 passes for 6 yards and ran once for 8 yards. Jimmyll Williams carried once for 9 yards. Tyler Hart caught one pass for 33 yards. Dylan Magazu had one reception for 20 yards. Landyn Backey caught two passes for 9 yards and returned one kickoff for no gain. Jaedon Alford caught one pass for 6 yards. Kenaz McMillian had one reception for no gain. Josiah Payton returned one kickoff for 14 yards and one punt for no gain.

Connor Dunn completed 1 of 1 pass for 33 yards and punted five times for 201 yards for Elon. The Phoenix moved the ball at times, especially through McDowell-Moore, but could not finish drives. Wofford’s defense tightened in key moments and kept Elon off the scoreboard.

Wofford’s defense limited Elon’s quarterbacks to a combined 7-of-25 passing for 46 yards. The Terriers also forced three interceptions and blocked a field goal. Elon’s longest completion of the day went for 33 yards to Hart, but the Phoenix could not turn that gain into points. McDowell-Moore’s 164 rushing yards kept Elon moving between the 20s, but Wofford’s red-zone defense held firm.

Wofford entered the game after a 32-25 win at Furman, while Elon had lost 30-23 at New Hampshire. The Terriers have wins over Citadel, Gardner-Webb and Furman, with losses to Kent State, Chattanooga and Tennessee Tech. Elon has wins over Glenville State, Davidson, Sacred Heart and Maine, with losses to Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Wofford is scheduled to host Virginia Military Institute next, with later games at Samford, at Western Carolina, against East Tennessee State and at Ole Miss. Elon is set to visit Stanford next, then travel to North Carolina A&T, host Hampton and Campbell, and visit Towson.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Elon 35, Wofford 24. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Elon with a 77.6 percent probability to win. Wofford had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +4. The total score of 16 went over the over/under line of 46.5.