ELON, N.C. (AP) Davius Richard ran for three touchdowns and threw for a score and North Carolina Central pulled away from Elon in the second quarter for a 34-23 win on Saturday.

Elon built a 10-0 lead before Richard rallied the Eagles before the end of the first quarter when he ran it in from the 6-yard line to end a 12-play, 75-yard drive that lasted a little more than six minutes.

On their next three possessions, the Phoenix punted, missed a field goal and turned it over on downs and allowed N.C. Central (5-1) to take the lead for good when Latrell Collier rambled for a 63-yard scoring run and a 14-10 advantage. The Eagles added to the margin when Richard threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Joaquin Davis with 20 seconds before intermission. Richard put it out of reach with an 11-yard scoring run with 9:52 left in the third.

Matthew Downing threw for 163 yards, a touchdown and an interception for Elon (3-3).

---

AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll

Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.