TOWSON, Md. – Towson University quarterback
Ryan Stover hit
Sam Gallahan in back corner of the end zone to give the Tigers a thrilling, 18-17, Homecoming victory over No. 23 Delaware Saturday afternoon at Johnny Unitas® Stadium.
How it Happened
- Trailing by six points, the Tigers (3-5, 1-4 CAA) got the ball on their own 48 yard line with 3:55 to play.
- After picking up a first down, the Tigers went for it all with a deep pass down the right sideline that just missed being a touchdown.
- Facing a third down four plays later, Stover threw the ball toward the back pylon and Gallahan made a one-handed grab for the game winner with 35 seconds left in the game.
- Aidan O'Neill booted the extra point for the one-point lead.
- UD (5-3, 3-2 CAA) got the ball on their own 35 and moved the ball into Towson territory with less than 10 seconds to play.
- Pressure from Malik Tyne forced an incompletion and Tyron McDade broke up a pass on the final play of the game.
- Towson jumped out to the early 3-0 lead as O'Neill kicked a 33-yard field goal just over five minutes into the game.
- The Blue Hens would take the lead on a touchdown pass on the first play of the second quarter and then extend lead to 14-3 with rushing score on the opening-drive of the second half.
- The Tigers came back later in the quarter and capped a nine-play drive with a 39-yard scoring strike from Stover to John Tsimis. Tsimis did most of the work on his own as he covered the final 25 yards after the catch.
- Towson went for two and got it when Stover swung the ball out to Ellis Knudson who powered his way into the endzone.
- Things looked a little gloom for the Tigers midway through the fourth as they muffed a punt inside their own 20-yard line.
- The defense held strong and forced a field goal to keep the deficit at just six.
Inside the Numbers
- The Tigers knocked off their first ranked opponent since defeating No. 22 Villanova on Homecoming in 2015.
- It is the second time in the last four years the Tigers have scored in the final minute to defeat the Blue Hens. In 2014, Darius Victor scored from 17-yards out with 49 seconds left for the 24-17 victory.
- Ryan Stover finished the day 20-of-32 for 187 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the team with 56 yards on eight carries.
- Sam Gallahan caught four passes for 33 yards and a score, while John Tsimis had five grabs for 79 yards and a touchdown.
- Shane Simpson returned to the lineup for the first time since the third week of the season and ran for 33 yards on eight carries.
- The Tiger defense held the Blue Hens to just 35 yards passing on 7-of-16 passing. The Tigers allowed just 14 yards on three completions in the last meeting at Unitas Stadium.
- Robert Heyward led the defense with 12 tackles, including 1.5 tackles-for-loss.
- Monty Fenner added 11 stops.
- Tyron McDade had three pass break-ups, while Bryce Carter added two sacks and three tackles-for-loss.
Up Next
The Tigers will play their fifth-straight ranked opponent when the travel to face Elon on Nov. 4. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.