Three straight losses have left the Elon University football team in a hole with two games left against plus-.500 teams.
Head coach Jason Swepson took the bye week to work on the essentials.
"We did a lot of individual work and going back to the basics," Swepson said. That included not turning the ball over, tackling and blocking, he said.
The Phoenix, 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the Southern Conference face Furman University in Greenville, S.C. Saturday, in its second-to-last game of the season before taking on Appalachian State University in the finale Nov. 19.
"These last two games have been circled on my calendar since I got the schedule," senior tight end Andre Labinowicz said.
Swepson echoed Labinowicz's excitement for the last stretch of the season.
"I'm anxious for these two games because I believe we've got a group of seniors who are going to take us to a winning season," Swepson said.
One of those seniors, running back Jamal Shuman, remains suspended indefinitely following some comments he made on Twitter after Elon's loss to Wofford College Oct. 29.
"He took it like a man," Swepson said. "He knew what he did was wrong. He's working on his image. He's still part of our team."
But Swepson does not think that Shuman will play on Senior Day, saying that decision will be made after the Furman game.
The Paladins (6-3, 5-2) who are ranked No. 21 in the FCS, are on a roll as of late, racking up three straight wins against tough opponents: Wofford Oct. 22, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Oct. 29 and Appalachian State Nov. 5. Both Wofford and Chattnooga have already defeated Elon this year and the Phoenix take on Appalachian State Nov. 19.
"They're doing a great job of moving the chains and staying on schedule," Swepson said. "(Elon's) defense will be challenged but we'll be ready for them."
The Paladins and their pro-style offense are led by senior quarterback Chris Forcier, who was named the SoCon Offensive Player of the Week after completing nine of 16 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 64 yards against Appalachian State. Forcier is third in the SoCon in passing yards per game (195.0) and first in passing touchdownsa with 19.
"Right now he's at a high level, making smart decisions out there," Swepson said. "He's probably playing the best in the conference."
On defense, Elon junior quarterback Thomas Wilson, second behind Forcier with 17 passing touchdowns this season, will have to deal with Furman junior linebacker Mitch McGrath.
"That's somebody we've got to focus on," Swepson said. "Tremendous speed, great awareness. He's basically a blitzing linebacker."
The Phoenix's turnover struggles have continued. After an interception and a fumble by junior David Wood on a punt return against Wofford (both of which led to Terrier touchdowns), Elon has 31 turnovers on the season, second in the FCS to Jackson State University, while Wilson's 18 picks are first. Furman has the best turnover margin in the SoCon at plus 1.11.
To pull off a big win, the Phoenix must hold onto the ball and play tight defense against a confident offense.
"They're playing with confidence and a belief they can win," Swepson said of Furman. "We're running out of games but hopefully we can put two together"