HARRISONBURG, Va. – Returning to CAA play, the Towson University football team is ready to take on the second-ranked team in FCS, heading to Harrisonburg to battle James Madison on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 3:30 p.m.
 
The game will be broadcast locally on MASN2.  Online, Curt Dudley and Arthur Moats will broadcast live from Bridgeforth Stadium on FloFootball.com and MadiZONE.  Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs will have the radio call on CBS Sports 1300.
 
Towson, ranked in the top-20 all season, currently stands at #16 in the STATS FCS Top-25 and #17 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll.  James Madison comes in at #2 in both polls.
 
This will be the 29th meeting between the two programs which are about 170 miles apart.  JMU has won the last three meetings, including the last one 38-17 on Nov. 17, 2018 in Towson, and leads the all-time series 21-6-1.  Towson's last win in the series came on Nov. 23, 2013, a 28-17 victory at home.
 
Towson got back in the win column on Saturday with a 56-7 non-conference victory over Bucknell, coming into the weekend at 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the CAA.  James Madison has won seven in a row, including a 38-10 victory at William & Mary last Saturday, to enter at 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the CAA.
 
The Tigers have five games left in the regular season, all league contests.  This is also the first road contest for Towson in nearly a month, last playing away from Unitas on Sept. 28 at Florida.
 
Game coverage brought to you by Travelstead.

 
TOWSON: TOP-20 TEAM SINCE OCT. 2018
Following the win over Bucknell, Towson is ranked nationally in the FCS top-20 again, being at #16 in the STATS FCS Poll and #17 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.  The Tigers have been in the top-20 since Oct. 2018.
   
On the week of Sept. 16, Towson earned its first top-5 ranking since 2013.  Towson was ranked in the top-12 in the 2019 preseason, the first preseason ranking since 2014.
 
In total, four CAA teams are in each top-25 poll: Towson, James Madison (#2 STATS, #2 AFCA), Villanova (#5, #6) and Delaware (#19, #19).
 
FLACCO, SIMPSON PLACED ON WALTER PAYTON AWARD WATCH LIST
Two Towson players, Tom Flacco and Shane Simpson, have been placed on the Walter Payton Award preseason watch list.  The Walter Payton Award is given to the top offensive player in FCS football.
   
Flacco and Simpson were two of 25 players across all of FCS, and two of three in the CAA, to be honored on the preseason watch list.
 
Each were named to the preseason watch list for the first time.  Flacco was added to the 2018 watch list in October of last season, finishing fifth in the final voting and first among 2019 returners.
 
In the history of the honor, Dave Meggett won the award in 1988.  Flacco, Terrance West (2013), Joe Lee (1999) and Tony Vinson (1993) have all been finalists, all finishing in the top-10.
 
TIGERS NAMED PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA.....
After a strong 2018 season, four Tigers earned preseason All-America recognition from the various publications.
 
Aidan O'Neill was selected as Preseason All-America by Athlon Sports, Phil Steele and STATS, being top-seven in all of FCS last year in field goals per game (1.83) and points scored per game (9.0).
 
Two places, STATS and Phil Steele, named Tom Flacco a preseason All-American.  He ranked top-five in FCS in total offense (332.8) and passing yards (270.9) per game in 2018.
 
Shane Simpson was chosen as a STATS All-American at athlete.  Last year, the now-redshirt senior was second in all of FCS with 171.5 all-purpose yards per game, totaling 2,058 on the year.
 
Shane Leatherbury picked up preseason All-America honors from Phil Steele.  The redshirt senior wide receiver ranked top-30 in receptions per game and receiving yards last year.
 
..... AND FIVE PICKED PRESEASON ALL-CAA
Led by Tom Flacco being selected as the league's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, five Tigers were voted to the 2019 Preseason All-Conference Team.
 
Tom Flacco (QB), Shane Simpson (RB), Shane Leatherbury (WR), Robert Heyward (LB) and Aidan O'Neill were all selected to the preseason all-conference team.  Five more were given honorable mention All-CAA: Jabari Allen (WR), Aaron Grzymkowski (OL), Bryce Carter (DL) and Keon Paye (LB).
 
Five on the all-conference team is the third-most in the CAA, only behind Maine and James Madison.
 
AIDAN O'NEILL APPROACHING CAA FG RECORD
Aidan O'Neill, already Towson's all-time leader in field goals made and attempted, is two field goals away from tying the all-time record in Colonial Athletic Association history.
 
O'Neill has 57 field goals as a Tiger in 78 attempts (73%), including four makes in 2019.
 
The current CAA record is held by Greg Kuehn, who made 59 field goals from 2002-25 with William & Mary.
 
TOWSON PICKED SECOND IN CAA PRESEASON POLL
Towson was predicted to finish second in the CAA preseason poll, voted on by the league's head coaches and media relations directors.  The Tigers also picked up three out of a possible 24 first-place votes.
 
This ties the highest predicted CAA finish for the Tigers since 2012: Towson was predicted to finish first in 2012 and second in 2013.
 
Towson earned an NCAA FCS Playoff berth in 2018 after tying for third place in the CAA at 5-3, going 7-5 overall including victories over then-ranked Elon, Stony Brook and Villanova.
 
2019 CAA Football Predicted Order of Finish (1st-place votes, points)
1. James Madison (20), 238
2. Towson (3), 217
3. Maine (1), 201
4. Elon, 164
5. Delaware, 162
6. Stony Brook, 151
7. New Hampshire, 109
8. Rhode Island, 104
9. Villanova, 84
10. Richmond, 62
11. William & Mary, 58
12. UAlbany, 34
 
TIGERS IN THE PROS
Former Towson players are making their mark in the professional ranks, including Jordan Dangerfield and Tye Smith playing in the National Football League. 
 
Two Tigers, Darius Victor by the New York Guardians and Randall Harris by the DC Defenders, were drafted in the newly-formed XFL, which will begin play in 2020.
Tigers in the Pros - 2019
--Jordan Dangerfield: Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL
--Tye Smith: Tennessee Titans, NFL
--Matt Kauffman: New Orleans Saints minicamp, NFL
--Frank Beltre: Toronto Argonauts, CFL
--Darius Victor: Hamilton Tiger-Cats, CFL
--Gerrard Sheppard: Memphis Express, AAF
--Kanyia Anderson: Sioux Falls Storm, IFL
 
FOUR GRADUATES SUITING UP FOR TOWSON
In the true form of student-athlete, four Towson players take the field as college graduates.  Troy Vincent Jr. graduated from Towson in 2018 and is in his second year of graduate school.  Three others graduated from other institutions before coming to Towson, Tom Flacco from Rutgers, Ricky DeBerry from Oklahoma and Darian Bryant from Temple.
 
TOWSON PLAYERS APPROACHING RECORDS
Several Towson players are approaching the top-10 of records for the program.
Bryce Carter (R-Jr. DL)
--Sacks: 12.5
10th: Justin Yelverton, 16.0 (1999-2002)
 
Tom Flacco (R-Sr. QB)
Passing Touchdowns: 42 (t-5th in TU history)
--4th: Kevin Smith, 45 (1995-98)
Passing Yards: 4,890 (7th in TU history)
--6th: Dan Dullea, 6,006 (1973-76)
Passing Attempts: 655 (7th in TU history)
--6th: Dan Dullea, 804 (1973-76)
Passing Completions: 395 (7th in TU history)
--6th: Dan Dullea, 447 (1973-76)
 
Robert Heyward (R-Sr. LB)
Tackles: 239
--10th: Bill Stup, 266 (1985-88)
 
Shane Leatherbury (R-Sr. WR)
Receptions: 130
--9th: Two players, 138
Receiving Touchdowns: 17 (t-5th in TU history)
--4th: Mike Smith, 20 (1986-89)
Career Receiving Yards: 1,676
--10th: Eric Yancey, 1,814 (2003-06)
 
Aidan O'Neill (Sr. K)
Field Goals: 57 (1st in TU history)
--FCS Record: Dan Carpenter, Montana, 75 (2004-07)
Field Goals Attempted: 78 (1st in TU history)
--FCS Record: Chris Snyder, Montana, 107 (2000-03)
 
Keon Paye (R-Sr. LB)
Interceptions: 9 (tied for 8th in TU history)
--6th: Two players, 10
Tackles: 192
--10th: Bill Stup, 266 (1985-88)
 
Shane Simpson (R-Sr. RB)
All-Purpose Yards: 4,751
--1st: Jason Corle, 5,382 (1996-99)
Career Rushing Yards: 1,925 (9th in TU history)
--8th: Matt Romeo, 1,950 (2000-03)
--7th: Nick Williams, 1,985 (2004-07)
Career Rushing Attempts: 376
--10th: Paul Cillo, 421 (1981-82)
100-Yard Rushing Games: 5
--10th: Three players, 7
 
AMBROSE - 3RD LONGEST TENURED CAA COACH
Head coach Rob Ambrose, a Towson graduate of 1993, returns at the helm of the Tigers for his 11th season in 2019 and is the third-longest tenured head coach in the CAA.
 
Going into its 51st season, Towson football has had four head coaches, with three, including Ambrose, serving at the helm for at least 10 seasons.  Ambrose was formerly an assistant under Gordy Combs from 1992 to 2000.
 
Ahead of Ambrose in years is New Hampshire's Sean McDonnell (21st season) and Stony Brook's Chuck Priore (14th season).
 
ALUMNI BACK TO COACH THE TIGERS
Along with Ambrose, several Tiger assistant coaches are also Towson graduates. 
--Scott Van Zile (QBs Coach, Recruiting Coordinator): 1999
--Konstantinos Kosmakos (DL Coach): 2006
--Collin Bauer (OLB Coach): 2013
--Lance Yaniger (Director of Operations): 2011
 
Tigers in the Community
The Towson University athletics department deems community service as one of its highest priorities to give back to the Greater Baltimore area.
 
For the 7th consecutive year, the department exceeded 10,000 hours of community service to the Greater Baltimore region, finishing with 11,162 hours of community service in the 2018-19 academic season.
   
Towson ranked #1 nationally for community service and won the 2018 National Championship for Community Service through the Helper Helper NCAA Team Works Competition.
 
Towson had a 97% participation rate, attended 118 community service opportunities and volunteered with 19 organizations.
 
Towson won the 2018 Volunteer of the Year Award from Susan G. Komen of Maryland.
 
LAST GAME (#18/20 TOWSON 56, BUCKNELL 7)
(10/19/19, TOWSON, MD.):
#18/20 Towson had a dominant performance on each side of the ball for Homecoming, taking down Bucknell 56-7 on Saturday night.
Important Stat:
Towson - Six passing TD, two 100+ yard rushers
Bucknell - Bitikofer surpassed 1000 passing yards in '19
Top Passer:
Towson - Tom Flacco: 16-22, 203 yards, 6 TD
Bucknell - Logan Bitikofer: 10-20, 100 yards
Top Rusher:
Towson - Yeedee Thaenrat: 8 rush, 112 yards
Bucknell - Jared Cooper: 9 rush, 10 yards, 1 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Shane Leatherbury: 6 catches, 84 yards, 5 TD
Bucknell - Brandon Sanders: 5 catches, 37 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Bryce Carter (DL): 5 tkls., 3.0 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF
Bucknell - Connor Romango (S): 10 tkls., 2 BrUp
 
INTERNATIONAL TIGERS
Towson's influence is growing across the world with four international players in 2019, including three from Europe.
 
Redshirt senior linebacker Malik Tyne, from Canada, has played 31 career games for Towson, coming into 2019 with 56 tackles, including 18.5 for loss and 6.5 sacks.
 
From Belgium comes Tibo Debaillie who, despite injury last season, has played in 13 games on the defensive line.
 
Two new players from Europe will serve as offensive linemen this year: Roman Wahrheit from Germany and Vaino Paakkonen from Finland.  From 2014-17, Towson had another offensive lineman from Europe, KJ Brandal, who hailed from Norway.
 
FROM UP AND DOWN THE EAST COAST...
The Towson roster nearly covers every state along the East Coast, including 12 states along the coastline and 15 states total in the country.
 
Away from the Eastern Seaboard, Towson has players from California, Michigan and Illinois.
 
...AND REPPING THE HOME STATE
The Towson roster represents the Old Line State well, sporting 35 players from the home state of Maryland.
 
This includes four players from Baltimore City: Marcel Allen (Milford Mill Academy), Sam Grace (Boys Latin), Sean Jefferson (Dunbar) and Myles Wright (St. Frances Academy).
 
SCOUTING JAMES MADISON:
James Madison, picked to finish first in the CAA in the preseason coaches poll, is coaches by Curt Cignetti in his first year with the program, coming to the Dukes from Elon.  This game is JMU's annual Homecoming.
 
JMU ranks first in the CAA in scoring offense, with 40.4 points scored a game, and second in scoring defense, allowing 16.9 points a contest.  Much of JMU's production comes from is running game, with five different Dukes all having at least 260 yards on the ground.
 
LAST TIME VS. JMU (#7/8 JMU 38, #15/16 TOWSON 17)
(11/17/18, TOWSON, MD.):
Towson had an early 10-7 lead in the regular season finale, but 35 unanswered points by JMU gave the Dukes a 38-17 victory in Maryland.
Important Stat:
Towson - Season-high 372 yards passing
JMU - Three players with 100+ yards rushing
Top Passer:
Towson - Tom Flacco: 31-50, 372 yards, 2 TD
JMU - Ben DiNucci: 15-22, 181 yards
Top Rusher:
Towson - Tom Flacco: 15 rush, 52 yards
JMU - Cardon Johnson: 13 rush, 162 yards, 1 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Jabari Allen: 6 catches, 135 yards, 1 TD
JMU - Kyndel Dean: 3 catches, 56 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Monty Fenner (S): 10 tackles, 1 BrUp
JMU - Dimitri Holloway (LB): 14 tackles, 0.5 TFL
 
FIRST 3-0 START SINCE 2013
With victories over The Citadel, N.C. Central and Maine, Towson started 3-0 for the first time since 2013.
 
In 2013, the Tigers began the year 6-0, including a victory over Connecticut, eventually going to the FCS National Championship game.
 
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. JMU
--Nov. 19, 1983:
Towson's 10-point lead at halftime held true as the Tigers defeated James Madison 10-3 to close out the regular season at 10-1.  The victory ensured an NCAA Division II playoff berth for the first time in program history.
 
--Oct. 24, 1992:
Tony Vinson rushed for a then-record 264 yards on 41 carries, scoring two touchdowns, including the game-winner shortly into the fourth quarter, to lead Towson to a 28-21 victory over JMU on Homecoming.
 
--Nov. 23, 2013:
Towson took down JMU 28-17 at home to earn its first 10-win season since 1983.  At 20-17 early in the fourth quarter, a nine-play, 79-yard drive capped by a Terrance West six-yard touchdown, his third score of the day, would seal the game for the Tigers.
 
TOWSON EARNS SCHOOL RECORDS VS. BUCKNELL
In the victory vs. Bucknell on October 19th, Towson's passing game set a couple of new single game school records.  Tom Flacco set a new program record with six passing touchdowns, all coming in the first half, with Shane Leatherbury tying a team record with five receiving touchdowns.
 
FLACCO UNVEILED ON CFL NEGOTIATION LIST
In August, Tom Flacco was unveiled on the Canadian Football League (CFL) negotiation list for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. 
 
Being on a CFL negotiation list, for international players and non-drafted Canadians, means that team has exclusive rights to negotiate a contract.  All CFL teams release 10 names on their negotiation lists twice a year.
 
INTERCEPTORS
With 10 interceptions this season, Towson is tied for fifth in all of FCS in that category, leading to a turnover margin of +9 for the team.  Coby Tippett intercepted a pass in each of the first three games while Keon Paye also has three.  Paye and Robert Heyward each have touchdowns off picks.
 
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