Freshman Thomas runs for 222, Elon edges Rhode Island 24-21

ELON, N.C. -- Freshman Jaylan Thomas ran for 222 yards -- the eighth-biggest game in Elon history -- and scored a touchdown to help the Phoenix turn back Rhode Island 24-21 on Saturday. Thomas scored on an 86-yard run, going untouched up the middle before outrunning the defense for the fifth-longest run in school history, late in the second quarter. Just 90 seconds later Warren Messer returned a deflected pass 86 yards -- the seventh-longest interception return in school history -- to make it 21-7 19 seconds before halftime. Skyler Davis kicked a 19-yard field goal with 2:41 remaining, critical for the Phoenix (6-2, 4-1 Colonial Athletic Association), ranked sixth by coaches in the FCS, as they struggled to contain Rams wide receiver Aaron Parker .