Beckford, Belcher lift Maine past Elon 24-17

ELON, N.C. -- Nigel Beckford ran for 104 yards and a touchdown and caught one of Drew Belcher 's two touchdown passes as Maine held off Elon 24-17 on Saturday. The Black Bears (5-5, 4-3 Colonial Athletic) limited Elon to 172 yards of total offense, holding the ball more than 21 minutes long, but the Phoenix (1-10, 0-7) cashed in on both Maine turnovers to stay in the game. Elon took a 7-0 lead when Adrian McClendon returned a Belcher pick 30 yards on the third snap of the game. Beckford had a 2-yard run and Belcher hit Damarr Aultman for 4 yards to put the Black Bears up 14-10 at the half. Belcher's 29-yard connection with Beckford in the first minute of the fourth quarter made it 24-10 but on Maine's next possession Julian Moore turned a pick 24 yards to the 17. Mike Quinn hooked up with Kierre Brown for a TD on the next play.