TOWSON, Md. - After taking an A to Z look at the 2011 season yesterday, we have to now look ahead to the future for the Tigers. Was this season a fluke? Will the Tigers be selected last again next season in the preseason CAA poll?
There's no doubt that this team was an offensive juggernaut, averaging 34.8 points (13th nationally) and 431 yards per game (17th nationally). Led by freshman Terrance West and a much improved offensive line, the rushing offense averaged 230 yards per game (11th in the nation) while the Tigers passed for 201 yards per game.
So, who led the nation in third-down conversion percentage? The Tigers, who converted 53% of their third down conversions. Towson also made 60% of its fourth down conversions, which was good enough to rank 24th in the nation.
Another very important stat is turnover margin. Last year, the Tigers finished 113th in turnover margin at -1.27. This year, they had 25 turnovers gained as opposed to 17 turnovers lost for a +0.67 turnover margin.
Defensively, the Tigers allowed 26 points and 370 yards per game, including 227 yards per game in the air. They also allowed opponents to convert 45% of their third downs.
Coach Rob Ambrose and his staff will be working hard to improve the strengths of the team and work on their deficiencies before National Signing Day on Feb. 1, 2012.
On offense, sophomore Grant Enders (2,081 yards, 16 TDs, 8 INTs) returns along with everybody on the offensive line except for senior Henry Glackin. At tight end, James Oboh (16 catches for 297 yards) is back for his junior season but the bigger question will be at fullback. Who will replace senior Tyler Wharton (5 receiving TDs)? This will be a key position to fill during the spring.
At wide receiver, Towson is very deep. Rising seniors Tom Ryan (39 receptions for 560 yards) and Gerrard Sheppard (22 rec. for 274 yards) are two huge targets for Enders who make plays in the middle of the field. Leon Kinnard (36 rec. for 402 yards) will be a junior and will have a full spring in the system to utilize his speed and quickness. Alex Blake (17 catches for 187 yards) can stretch the field but did not have a touchdown this year after catching three earlier in his career.
There are other younger receivers who will push for playing time, including kick returner Derrick Joseph, who was just a redshirt freshman this year with explosive speed and another redshirt freshman in Spencer Wilkins, who had 9 catches for 123 yards in limited time this year.
In the spring, true freshman Mac Sanders (5-11, 185) should get a nice look in the spring while the offensive staff can get a longer look at freshman Arione Scott (6-1, 165) and redshirt freshman Justen Davis (6-2, 185), who didn't play this year.
Another loaded position is running back. Tremayne Dameron (274 yards) rushed for over 1,300 yards in his career and will graduate as a junior. But, West (1,294 yards, 29 TDs), Sterlin Phifer (240 yards), Dominique Booker (316 yards) and redshirt freshman Trea Jones (140 yards) are all back.
Phifer, a Boston College transfer, has two more years left and struggled with injuries his first season. He left the door open for West, who had one of the best rookie seasons for any athlete in school history. Jones could be an X-factor after transferring in from Colorado and seeing little time. True freshman Clayton Minott (5-8, 175) will also get a long look in the spring.
Defensively, the Tigers had to replace All-CAA DT Yaky Ibia last year. This season, they return two-time All-CAA DE Frank Beltre (68 tackles, 4 sacks, 12 TFL) and DE Romale Tucker (73 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 9.5 TFL). In the spring, Towson will have a chance to showcase freshmen DEs Olatungie Coker (6-2, 232), Stefan Janik (6-3, 230) and Tyler Magill (6-2, 237).
At defensive tackle, senior Marcus Valentine (3 sacks, 5.5 TFL) will graduate and left it all on the field. Matt Morgan (26 tackles, 2.5 sacks) moved from end to tackle and ended up rotating with two other players. Rob Osborne (33 tackles) also graduates but the key here will be the continued the improvement of sophomore Arnold Farmer (11 tackles, one sack).
Freshman Jon Desir (6-4, 300) sat out this year and could be a major impact player this summer. They could also use a few more bodies here (hint, hint).
The linebackers had a strange season. At times, this was the best unit on the defense by far. Junior Alexander DiSanzo (68 tackles, 3 interceptions) came over from Boston College to give the team size and athletic ability. He and Danzel White (77 tackles, one sack) were athletic playmakers who will be seniors next season. White was back after missing 2010 and ended up having to play the middle after starting at strongside linebacker. A knee injury cost him several games.
The most intriguing player is redshirt freshman Kenton Powell (57 tackles, 3 interceptions), who has great speed and just needs to pick up a few pounds to play every down. An injury to sophomore Kyle Polk (23 tackles, 2 sacks) and junior Trevor Walker (missed entire season) forced the Tigers to move people around.
With injuries and other issues at linebacker came some inconsistencies and erratic play. Players like true freshman Joe McCargo (6-0, 195) and redshirt freshmen Derek Wright (6-2, 205) and Trey Jackson (6-3, 215) could figure into the picture in the spring. Senior Chris Patterson (27 tackles), who started three games this year, will be missed as a player who could come off the bench or start in a pinch.
The secondary returns three of four starters and Jordan Dangerfield (93 tackles, 2 picks) will be the leader of the defense next season.The All-CAA safety will go down as one of the best to ever play the position at Towson if he can stay healthy.
The Tigers need a strong safety as Nick Oates (29 tackles, 2 INTs) graduates, so Towson looks towards the roster (or outside) for his replacement. Thomas Bradley (20 tackles) had a solid redshirt freshman season while players who sat out like freshman Walter Dunston (5-11, 195) will get a chance to show their abilities in the spring.
At cornerback, Tye Smith (49 tackles, 2 INTs) had an impressive true freshman season and true sophomore Corey Ford (54 tackles, one INT, 6 pass breakups) showed some improvement at the position. This is another position where the Tigers need to upgrade in terms of depth and experience.
You can't forget the special teams, including Joseph, who led the CAA in kickoff returns with a 27.9 average, including a touchdown. Sophomore D.J. Soven was able to concentrate on just kickoffs, field goals and extra points. He made seven of eight field goals, including a 47-yarder against Old Dominion and a 45-yard field goal against Lehigh. Freshman R.J. Peppers averaged 35.2 yards per punt with six inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
This was a season to remember from the opening kickoff against Morgan State to the unfortunate safety against Lehigh. No matter what happened in the 40-38 loss at home to the Mountain Hawks in the second round of the FCS playoffs, the 2011 football team set the standard for every Towson football team in FCS.
No other team in Towson's history in I-AA (FCS) had accomplished so much with so little expectations. Those expectations for next season will be different and the challenge will be to stay the course and do the same thing they did last season. That's to think that the only people that truly believe in them are the people in the locker room.
