The Georgia Southern Eagles were able to take advantage of two early Elon turnovers and lead the Phoenix 24-7 at halftime.
Elon took a 7-0 lead after junior quarterback Thomas Wilson threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Taylor Berry. The touchdown pass capped off a 7-play 66-yard scoring drive.
Later in the first quarter, a Wilson interception was returned by Georgia Southern defensive end John Douglas to the Elon 5 yard line. Running back Dominique Swope then scored on a 5-yard run to tie the game at 7-7.
Wilson threw his second interception of the game on the next play from scrimmage as the ball bounced of junior wide receiver Jeremy Perterson's hands and into the arms of a Georgia Southern defender. Georgia Southern started its second-straight drive from inside Elon's 25 yard line and settled for a field goal to take a 10-7 lead.
The nation's second ranked offense had little trouble moving down the field in the second quarter. Georgia Southern's option attack gained 160 rushing yards in the first half, compared to just 22 rushing yards for the Phoenix.
Georgia Southern quarterback Jaybo Smith had only three completions in the first half but two of them were touchdown passes to running backs Dominique Swopes and Jonathan Bryant, the second of which came with just nine seconds left before the break.
Georgia Southern outgained Elon in total yards 191-140.
Wilson has thrown for 118 yards and a touchdown and two picks. Elon junior wide receiver Aaron Mellette has five grabs for 54 yards.