Elon @ Wake Forest preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 19, 2009 ) Elon University 7, Wake Forest 35

Wake Forest attempts to remain unbeaten against Elon when it hosts the Phoenix in Thursday's season-opening contest. The Demon Deacons are 9-0-1 against Elon, an FCS school located about 50 miles east of Winston-Salem.

Wake Forest is rebuilding under second-year coach Dave Clawson and suffered through a 3-9 campaign last season. The Demon Deacons ranked last in the nation among the 125 FBS teams in total offense (216.3) and next-to-last in both scoring offense (14.8) and rushing offense (39.9). Wake Forest suffered a recent blow when receiver Jared Crump (32 catches in 2014) suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Elon enters with a nine-game losing streak and its only win last season came against Charlotte.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: NL.

ABOUT ELON (2014: 1-11, 0-8 CAA): The Phoenix will be breaking in a new quarterback as either redshirt freshman Connor Christiansen or freshman Daniel Thompson will draw the start. Tracey Coppedge (663 yards) is the team's leading returning rusher while Demitri Allison (55 catches, 525 yards) is back at receiver. A trio of good defensive players return in middle linebacker John Silas (100 tackles), safety Chris Blair (98 tackles) and cornerback Julius Moore (four interceptions).

ABOUT WAKE FOREST (2014: 3-9, 1-7 ACC): Quarterback John Wolford threw more interceptions (14) than touchdown passes (12) while passing for 2,037 yards as a freshman and it is hoped he will be better due to the experience. He has a fine target in tight end Cam Serigne (54 receptions in 2014) but a thin receiving corps is even slimmer after Crump's injury. The Demon Deacons return seven defensive starters, including three with more than 100 tackles in free safety Ryan Janvion (115) as well as linebackers Brandon Chubb (109) and Marquel Lee (101).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Wake Forest won 35-7 in the most-recent meeting in 2009.
2. Elon has scored 19 total points and been shut out seven times in the series with the Demon Deacons.
3. Wake Forest starting DE Duke Ejiofor (concussion) will likely sit out the contest.

PREDICTION: Wake Forest 19, Elon 3