FCS-CFB Game Preview: Elon Phoenix (1-1) vs. Western Carolina Catamounts (0-2)

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Venue & Game Info

Kickoff: 2:30 PM ET

Location: E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field, Cullowhee, North Carolina

Broadcast: ESPN+ (streaming)

Notable: In-state non-conference matchup; Western Carolina won last year’s meeting 24–17 in Elon

Weather Outlook (as of Sept. 11)

Forecast: Mostly sunny, light breeze

Temperature at Kickoff: ~78°F, rising to low 80s by mid-game

Wind: 5–7 mph from the southwest

Impact: Ideal football conditions; minimal weather effect on passing/kicking

Injury & Availability Report

Elon:

No major starters reported out after Week 2 win over Davidson

Freshman QB Landen Clark healthy after 4-TD performance vs. Davidson

RB Jalen Hampton (All-CAA 2024) available; 2 TDs in 2025

Western Carolina:

No confirmed absences for key starters

QB Charlie Dean healthy; threw for 250+ yds in opener vs. Gardner-Webb

WR Censere Lee (team-high 14 catches) available

Recent Form

Elon:

W 55–7 vs. Davidson — nearly 550 total yards, defense forced 3 turnovers

L 45–21 at Wake Forest — struggled to contain ACC opponent’s speed

Western Carolina:

L 42–10 at Wake Forest — offense stalled after halftime

L 52–45 vs. Gardner-Webb — shootout loss despite 500+ total yards

Series History

All-Time: Western Carolina leads recent series 1–0 (modern era)

Last Meeting: 2024 — WCU 24, Elon 17 in Elon

Note: First meeting in Cullowhee since 1980s

Betting Trends

Elon: 4–2 ATS in last 6 games; Over in 3 of last 4

Western Carolina: 1–4 ATS in last 5; Over in 5 of last 6 home games

Last year’s meeting went Under (41 total points)

Game Odds

Elon Phoenix                                     – 4.5

Western Carolina Catamounts   58.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025