Towson (1-1, 0-0 CAA)
at Villanova (1-1, 0-0 CAA)
Sept. 17 - 3:30 p.m. - Comcast SportsNet
Villanova Stadium - Villanova, Pennsylvania
| Stadium |
Villanova Stadium |
| Capacity |
12,500 |
| Surface |
Artificial Turf |
| Kickoff |
3:30 p.m. |
| TV |
Comcast SportsNet |
|
Rob Carlin (PxP) and Brad Jackson(Analyst) |
| Radio |
HFS 104.9 FM |
|
Spiro Morekas (PxP) and Gordy Combs (Analyst) |
| Internet |
TowsonTigers.com |
| Series Record |
Villanova leads 7-5 |
Story Lines
The Tigers open CAA play on the road as they travel to face Villanova on Sept. 17. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and can be seen live on Comcast SportsNet.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback
Ellis Knudson could be making his first career start on Saturday. A decision on who will start at quarterback will be made later in the week. He came off the bench to go 10-for-22 for 301 yards and two touchdowns in the victory over Saint Francis. He also rushed for 22 yards and a touchdown.
Wide receiver
Christian Summers is coming off a career day in which he caught six passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns. He caught a 94-yard touchdown, the second longest in Towson history.
Saturday will mark the third time that the Tigers have opened CAA play against Villanova. The Tigers opened the 2010 and 2011 CAA seasons against the Wildcats. Towson lost on the road in 2010, but won at home in 2011.
The Game
Towson opens Colonial Athletic Association action as it travels to take on Villanova. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet.
Radio Coverage
The Tigers contest at Villanova can be heard live on HFS 104.9 FM. The voice of the Tigers, Spiro Morekas, will once again be joined by Gordy Combs to call the action.
TV Coverage
Saturday's game at Villanova will be carried live on Comcast SportsNet. Rob Carlin will provide the play-by-play, while Brad Jackson will provide the commentary.
Saturday Weather
The weather is calling for temperatures in the low 80s with a very slight chance of rain on Saturday. The wind is expected to be around 10mph.
vs. Villanova
The Tigers and Wildcats are meeting for the 13th time on the gridiron. VU holds a 7-5 advantage in the series, but the Tigers won last year's meeting. It is the ninth meeting between the school's as members of the CAA. The Tigers are just 3-6 in those contests.
Date Location Result
10/23/04 Villanova, Pa. L, 6-41
11/5/05 Towson W, 40-19
10/21/06 Villanova, Pa. W, 21-13
11/10/07 Towson L, 12-14
11/15/08 Villanova, Pa. L, 31-34
11/14/09 Towson L, 7-49
9/18/10 Villanova, Pa. L, 7-43
9/10/11 Towson W, 31-10
10/27/12 Villanova, Pa. W, 49-35
10/12/13 Towson L, 35-45
11/8/14 Villanova, Pa. L, 14-42
10/24/15 Towson W, 28-21
On this Date: Sept. 17
Saturday's game marks the sixth time the Tigers will play on Sept. 17. The Tigers are 2-3 in the previous five contests. This is the first time the Tigers will play on Sept. 17 under current head coach Rob Ambrose.
Year Opponent Result
1977 James Madison W, 13-7
1983 @ Liberty W, 13-3
1988 @ Indiana (Pa.) L, 21-24
1994 vs. Delaware State W, 42-18
2005 New Hampshire L, 21-62
CAA Openers
Towson is opening its 10th season in the CAA. The Tigers are 3-6 in conference openers dating back to 2007.
Year Opponent Result
2007 @ UMass L, 15-36
2008 @ Richmond L, 14-45
2009 New Hampshire L, 7-57
2010 @ Villanova L, 7-43
2011 Villanova W, 31-10
2012 William & Mary W, 20-17
2013 @ Stony Brook W, 35-21
2014 Maine L, 24-27
2015 @ Elon L, 13-17
CAA Opener vs. Villanova
Saturday's game will mark the third time the Tigers have opened CAA play against Villanova. The teams split the previous two meetings, with both teams winning on their home field.
Knudson Throws for 300
Quarterback Ellis Knudson came off the bench to throw for 301 yards in the victory over Saint Francis. It marked the first 300-yard passing game for a Tiger since Peter Athens threw for 301 yards against Fordham in the opening round of the 2013 FCS Playoffs.
Fewest Completions With 300 Yards
Quarterback Ellis Knudson completed only 10 passes in throwing for 301 yards. It was the fewest completions ever by a Tiger QB throwing for 300 yards.
QB Yards Comp
Ellis Knudson (2016) 301 10
Peter Athens (2013) 301 13
Dan Crowley (1994) 308 14
Jay Amer (2002) 309 18
Dan Crowley (1993) 317 18
Theron Richards (1986) 327 18
Kevin Smith (1996) 307 19
Dan Dullea (1974) 344 19
Summers Career Day
Senior wide receiver Christian Summers had a career day against Saint Francis as he caught six passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns.
Player Yards Opponent
Mark Orlando 266 American Int. (10/22/94)
Mark Orlando 244 Kutztown (11/5/94)
Mark Orlando 238 Buffalo (9/10/94)
Marc Brown 233 Bucknell (9/25/82)
Christian Summers 232 Saint Francis (9/10/16)
Longest TD Passes
Christian Summers caught a short pass in the flat, made a defender miss, then raced for a 94-yard touchdown against Saint Francis. The play went down as the second longest touchdown pass in school history, trailing only the 95-yard pass from Dan Crowley to Shawn Ward against Kutztown in 1994.
Player Yards Opponent
Dan Crowley-Shawn Ward 95 Kutztown (11/5/94)
Ellis Knudson-Christian Summers 94 Saint Francis (9/10/16)
Kevin Smith-Adam Overbey 89 Monmouth (9/12/98)
Kevin Smith-Shawn Ward 88 Wagner (11/16/96)
Second Half Shutout
The Tigers defense was dominant in the second half as they held Saint Francis to just 72 yards, including just 12 in the third quarter. It was the second time in the last three games the Tigers have shutout their opponents in the second half. Towson shut out Rhode Island in the 2015 season finale.
Block Party
D'Sean Cummings may have had one of the biggest plays in the win over Saint Francis as he blocked a field goal midway through the fourth quarter to keep the game tied at 28.
Up Next
The Tigers will have a bye on Sept. 24 before returning to the field Oct. 1 at No. 2 Richmond. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and can be seen live on Comcast SportsNet.
