Elon Football Bounces Back With 24-6 Win Over Hampton Led by McDowell-Moore

Kamerin McDowell-Moore nears all-time scoring record in Elon victory

Kamerin McDowell-Moore is one touchdown away from becoming the all-time single-season scoring leader at Elon University. The freshman running back secured his place in the record books on November 7, 2026, as the Elon Phoenix defeated Hampton University 24-6, snapping a four-game losing streak to bring their season record to 5-5, according to reports from elonnewsnetwork.com.

Get ready, Elon fans! Kamerin McDowell-Moore scored three TDs today, leading Tarboro to the 2A state championship over Murphy. 2,000+ rushing yards, 30+ TDs this season. Love seeing great players staying in-state! https://t.co/6kRAKoUE2M

— https://x.com/NCFootballNews/status/2000000614655484398

The victory was defined by a stark contrast between a dominant defensive performance and a volatile offensive struggle characterized by high-stakes turnovers. While the Phoenix defense stifled Hampton, the offense grappled with decision-making errors that threatened to derail the momentum. McDowell-Moore served as the primary engine for the offense, totaling 1,182 rushing yards on the season and becoming the 10th player in program history to reach that milestone in career Football Championship Subdivision rushing yards.

The game began with immediate adversity for the Elon offense. On the opening drive, quarterback Brady Stober threw an interception on his second dropback, a pass intended for redshirt junior Zimere Winston that was tipped by a Hampton defender. This error contributed to a difficult start where Stober, who had entered the game with only two interceptions on the season, ultimately threw four interceptions—the first such performance by an Elon starting quarterback since 2019.

Defensive dominance offsets quarterback struggles

Despite the offensive volatility, the Phoenix defense provided the stability necessary to maintain a lead. The unit recorded three sacks, forced a fumble via redshirt junior safety Tony Hart III, and held Hampton to two touchdowns. The defense also proved effective in short-yardage situations, including a crucial fourth-down stop during Hampton’s final attempt to close the scoring gap.

The scoring sequence reflected the team’s uneven rhythm. Hampton took an early 6-0 lead following two quick touchdowns, but a missed PAT allowed Elon to respond. McDowell-Moore initiated the comeback with a 2-yard touchdown run to take a 7-6 lead. Later in the half, Luke Barnes converted a 43-yard field goal and a 40-yard field goal to extend the advantage, though the latter was blocked—marking Elon’s third blocked field goal of the season.

“We have to be better with the football. We can’t put it up for grabs,” head coach Tony Trisciani said, noting that turnovers had been a recurring issue earlier in the season. “We’ll be a really tough team to stop offensively if we can clean up the decision-making.”

McDowell-Moore and Guttman drive second-half surge

The second half saw a shift in offensive personnel that helped stabilize the Phoenix. Following another interception by Stober, redshirt freshman quarterback Elijah Guttman entered the game. Guttman provided a spark, spinning through defenders for a three-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 17-6. This marked the first touchdown scored by an Elon player other than McDowell-Moore since September.

Elon Football Bounces Back With 24-6 Win Over Hampton Led by McDowell-Moore — Photo: espn.com

McDowell-Moore capitalized on the momentum, completing a 22-yard touchdown run where he utilized a juke to evade a defender. He noted that the move was largely instinctual.

Player	Key Statistic/Milestone
Kamerin McDowell-Moore	1,182 rushing yards; 10 touchdowns in a season
Brady Stober	4 interceptions (first 4-pick game since 2019)

With 10 touchdowns on the season, McDowell-Moore is now one of only three players in Phoenix history to reach that mark. If he finds the end zone in his next appearance, he will stand alone as the university’s all-time single-season touchdown leader.

The Phoenix now look toward a high-stakes matchup against a ranked opponent as they attempt to maintain this defensive momentum. Elon is scheduled to host Campbell University at Rhodes Stadium on November 14 at 2 p.m.