The Towson University football team is off this week. The break comes at a good time for the Tigers as it gives them a chance to heal up before starting the second half of the season. Towson lost this past week to Villanova, 24-9. It was another game where the defense played well, but the offense just couldn't do quite enough. The Wildcats came into the game fourth in the nation in yards allowed rushing per game. They were giving up just 60 yards per game. The Tigers couldn't quite crack Villanova's rush defense, as Towson mustered only 44 yards on the ground.

The Tigers were missing several players who were supposed to start due to injury. This week off could certainly help that situation. Good news to report though, Justice Pettus-Dixon, who was carted off the field and taken away to the hospital, was back on campus that night. Not sure that the Tigers' fine cornerback will be ready to play against Richmond a week from Saturday, but the news that he did not suffer a serious injury was a blessing. The stadium became eerily quiet as the athletic training staffs from both teams worked on Justice. Coach Ambrose told me the only time he has ever heard Unitas® Stadium that quiet is when he shows up for work at five in the morning. We hope to see number 17 back on the field real soon.

Something we have to look forward to next year is the 50^th anniversary of Towson football. Plans have begun for events to surround this momentous occasion. I think fans and former players will be thrilled with what will be coming next year. One thing to think about, the Tigers have only had four head coaches in their 49-year history. All four of those head coaches will be participating in next year's events. How many schools can say that they can gather every head coach in their history at one time. Towson is one of the few schools that can do that. Stay tuned for more on the 50^th Anniversary.

Finally, the Towson men's basketball team started practice late last week. Coach Pat Skerry and his squad are looking forward to a banner year. The Tigers will certainly be well travelled, as they will play in Florida, Northern Ireland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

I ran into Tiger big man Alex Thomas this week, and Alex says practice is going extremely well, and that the team is really looking forward to the upcoming season. He says the one area they are really working on is cutting down turnovers.

When the preseason rankings come out in the next couple of weeks, look for the Tigers to be in the top third or fourth in the conference. It should be a heck of a year.

I almost forgot! Coach Shawn Nadelen and his men's lacrosse team will play a couple of international scrimmages this weekend. The Tigers will take on the US National Team and the Israeli National Team on Sunday. The games will be played at William G. Tierney Field in Sparks, Maryland. Tickets are $10, with the proceeds going to the US National team fund. Should be a great time.
 
Until next week, GO TIGERS!!!