Elon Football has steamrolled everyone in its path through the first two weeks of the 2026 season. Now, the undefeated Phoenix face their biggest test yet as they prepare to take on No. 13 Rhode Island in a massive early-season CAA showdown.
Elon is 2-0 for the first time since 2009 after beating Glenville State 42-7 and shutting out Davidson 38-0. The Phoenix have outscored their first two opponents 80-7, but Saturday brings a major jump in competition against No. 13 Rhode Island.
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The Rams enter at 1-1 after opening with a 34-7 win over Merrimack before battling FBS opponent Temple in a 38-14 loss. Rhode Island now returns home looking to defend its place among the CAA's top contenders against one of the hottest teams in the conference.
Saturday is the CAA opener for both teams, pitting the conference's preseason No. 1 against its preseason No. 3 in an early-season showdown that could tell us plenty about the CAA championship race.
Elon Gets An Early Shot To Be The CAA Favorite
Rhode Island and Elon both entered the season with championship expectations.
The Rams were picked to finish first in the CAA preseason poll, earning 12 first-place votes and 144 points, while Elon was close behind in third with 115.
Saturday marks the CAA opener for both programs. Elon enters 2-0 overall after nonconference wins over Glenville State and Davidson, while Rhode Island is 1-1 overall after nonconference games against Merrimack and FBS opponent Temple.
Both teams enter Saturday 0-0 in CAA play.
That gives this matchup added importance as Rhode Island begins its defense of back-to-back CAA championships and Elon gets an immediate opportunity to challenge the conference's preseason favorite.
A win would put either team at 1-0 in conference play and provide an early advantage as the CAA schedule gets underway.
Elon head coach Tony Trisciani has also shown an ability to win against ranked competition. He enters the weekend with 10 career victories over FCS Top 25 opponents, including five on the road.
Elon Football Is Dominating To Start 2026
Elon could hardly have asked for a better opening two weeks.
The Phoenix have outscored their first two opponents 80-7. After beating Glenville State 42-7 in the opener, Elon went on the road and handed Davidson a 38-0 loss.
How? Elon's defense.
The Phoenix have allowed just 384 total yards through two games. Davidson finished with 251 yards and 11 first downs while converting only 3 of 16 third-down attempts.
The victory moved Elon to 2-0 for the first time since 2009. Beating Rhode Island would give the Phoenix their first 3-0 start since 1999.
Elon's Running Game Gives The Rams Plenty To Prepare For
Elon hasn't needed to rely on one running back to produce on the ground.
Freshman Kamerin McDowell-Moore rushed for a career-high 88 yards and two touchdowns against Davidson, earning CAA Rookie of the Week honors. Elon senior Jimmyll Williams added two more rushing touchdowns.
McDowell-Moore became the first Elon true freshman since Malcolm Summers in 2015 to rush for multiple touchdowns in a game.
Rhode Island presents a much different test than either of Elon's first two opponents. If the Phoenix can continue producing on the ground against the Rams, it could go a long way toward showing whether their early success is sustainable against CAA competition.
No. 13 Rhode Island Has A Bad Taste In Its Mouth
Last week’s loss to Temple dropped Rhode Island five spots from No. 8 to No. 13 in the latest Coaches Poll. Rhode Island kept things close early, pulling within 17-14 late in the second quarter.
Temple answered just before halftime and took control from there, scoring the final 21 points of the game to pull away for a 38-14 win.
Rhode Island's defense still showed an ability to create pressure. The Rams recorded three sacks against Temple after also producing three in their match against Merrimack.
Saturday is Rhode Island's home opener, giving the Rams an opportunity to wash that bad taste out while beginning CAA play against another team expected to contend near the top of the conference.
Can Elon Slow Down Marquis Buchanan?
If there is one Rhode Island player Elon needs to know where he is at all times, it's wide receiver Marquis Buchanan.
Buchanan entered 2026 after leading the FCS with 1,337 receiving yards on 78 catches last season. He also scored eight touchdowns and earned first-team All-America recognition.
His production hasn't yet stalled this season.
Buchanan caught nine passes for 137 yards and a touchdown against an FBS defense in Temple. His score came on a 35-yard pass from quarterback Tyler Budge on Rhode Island's opening possession.
Elon's defense has overwhelmed its first two opponents, but Buchanan will give the Phoenix secondary its biggest challenge of the young season. Keeping Rhode Island's top playmaker from producing explosive plays could be critical if Elon wants to leave Pawtucket unbeaten.
Rhode Island's Quarterback Situation Is Worth Watching
Quarterback Devin Farrell entered the season as the CAA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 3,745 yards in 2025.
His status for Elon remains unknown following an offseason foot surgery.
Tyler Budge has started Rhode Island's first two games and gives the Rams another option behind center. Against Temple, Budge threw for 195 yards and a touchdown while adding 38 rushing yards and another score.
Regardless of who is behind center, Rhode Island's passing game has Buchanan and other experienced targets available. Whether Budge or Farrell is behind center, the Phoenix will have to contend with a dangerous Rhode Island passing attack.
Elon vs. Rhode Island Players To Watch
Elon RB Kamerin McDowell-Moore: The freshman is coming off the best performance of his young career after rushing for 88 yards and two touchdowns against Davidson.
Elon RB Jimmyll Williams: Williams scored twice against Davidson and gives the Phoenix another proven option in a deep backfield.
Elon DB Codey Larkins: Larkins made a major impact on special teams against Davidson with a muffed-punt recovery and a blocked punt.
Rhode Island WR Marquis Buchanan: The All-American receiver is coming off a 137-yard performance against Temple after leading the FCS in receiving yards last season.
Rhode Island DL Case Mankins: Mankins recorded two sacks and forced a fumble against Temple and entered the season as a preseason All-American.
Rhode Island LB Rohan Davy: The preseason All-American is another key piece of an experienced Rhode Island defense.
Rhode Island Has Won The Last Two Against Elon
The Rams have had the upper hand in the series recently.
Rhode Island beat Elon 34-20 in 2025, giving the Rams their second consecutive victory over the Phoenix after Elon won four straight meetings from 2017 through 2021.
The teams meet for the eighth time Saturday, Sept. 12.
Last year's matchup was particularly difficult for the Elon rushing attack. The Phoenix were held to just 30 rushing yards in the loss.
With Elon's running game playing a major role in its 2-0 start this season, how much that changes in the rematch will be worth watching.
When Is Elon vs. Rhode Island Football?
Elon and No. 13 Rhode Island play at noon ET on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
The game is the CAA opener for both programs and Rhode Island's first home game of the 2026 season.
How To Watch Elon vs. Rhode Island Football
Elon vs. Rhode Island will stream live on FloCollege and the FloSports app.
The game gives Elon an opportunity to move to 3-0 for the first time since 1999 and pick up a road victory over a nationally ranked opponent, while Rhode Island begins its CAA schedule looking to rebound from its first loss of the season.
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