Gonzales, special teams lead Western Carolina in 24-17 comeback win over Elon

ELON, N.C. — Cole Gonzales scored on a 6-yard touchdown run to give Western Carolina the lead with just under four minutes left and Ken Moore Jr. later blocked a field-goal attempt that Jordy Lowry returned for a touchdown as the Catamounts beat Elon 24-17 on Saturday.

TJ Thomas darted around the right end and raced 60 yards untouched barely a minute into the second half to give the FCS 22nd-ranked Phoenix a 14-3 lead, but Western Carolina rallied with three straight touchdowns to take a 10-point lead with 1:15 left.

Branson Adams powered in from the 1 midway through the third quarter to start the comeback, but the Catamounts didn't take the lead until Gonzales capped a nine-play, 54-yard drive with his TD leap over Elon defenders with 3:48 left to take a 17-14 lead. Elon attempted a 44-yard field goal to tie with 1:15 left that was blocked by Moore and turned into a 24-14 lead by Lowry. Elon kicked a 33-yard field goal with 14 seconds left to set the final margin.

Gonzales completed 23 of 36 passes for 254 yards to lead Western Carolina (1-2). Adams had 14 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown while Calvin Jones caught six passes for 98 yards.

Matthew Downing was 19-of-30 passing for 285 yards and a touchdown with an interception to lead Elon (1-2). Thomas had 14 carries for 101 yards.