The Game: #20/21 Towson (6-4, 3-3 CAA) at William & Mary (4-6, 2-4 CAA)
When: Sat., Nov. 16 – 1 p.m.
Where: Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field – Williamsburg, Va.
Online Broadcast: FloFootball.com
----Broadcasters: Jay Colley (PxP), Mike Leach (Analyst)
Radio: CBS Sports Radio 1300
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: William & Mary leads 9-6
 
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The #20/21 Towson University football team Towson is set for its final regular season road game, coming back to Virginia to play William & Mary on Saturday, Nov. 16th at 1 p.m. in Williamsburg.
 
The game will be broadcast online on FloFootball.com, with Jay Colley and Mike Leach on the call at Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field.  Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs will have the radio call on CBS Sports 1300.
 
Towson, ranked in the top-25 all season, currently stands at #20 in the STATS FCS Top-25, going up a spot from last week, and #21 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll.  William & Mary is not ranked in either poll.
 
Towson has won the last three meetings against William & Mary, including a 29-13 victory on Oct. 13, 2018 at home and a 26-14 win in Williamsburg on Nov. 11, 2017.  All-time, William & Mary leads the series 9-6, its last victory coming in 2015.  In a series that began in 1992, these teams have played each year since 2011 and every year except one since 2004.
 
With two weeks remaining in FCS play, Towson has won its last two games, coming off a 31-14 victory at Stony Brook last Saturday, to be 6-4 overall and 3-3 in the CAA, tied for sixth place in the league.  William & Mary has also won its last two games, the last a 55-19 home win over Rhode Island, to stand at 4-6 overall and 2-4 in the CAA, tied for ninth place in the league.

Pregame information presented by Travelstead.

 
TOWSON: TOP-25 TEAM SINCE SEPT. 2018
Having won its past two games, Towson returned to the top-20 in a national poll, rising a spot to #20 in each the STATS FCS Poll and holding at #21 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.  The Tigers have been in the top-25 since Sept. 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, three CAA teams are in the top-25: Towson, James Madison (#2 STATS, #2 AFCA) and Villanova (#13, #16).  Several others are receiving votes.
 
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.
 
O'NEILL - CAA ALL-TIME FIELD GOALS LEADER
Aidan O'Neill, already Towson's all-time leader in field goals made and attempted, became the Colonial Athletic Association all-time leader in field goals on Nov. 9th vs. Stony Brook with his 60th make.
 
O'Neill has 60 field goals as a Tiger in 83 attempts (72.3%), including seven makes in 2019.
 
The current CAA record was formerly held by Greg Kuehn, who made 59 field goals from 2002-25 for William & Mary.
 
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: 46 (4th in TU history)
--3rd: Dan Dullea, 49 (1973-76)
Passing Yards: 5,677 (7th in TU history)
--6th: Dan Dullea, 6,006 (1973-76)
Passing Attempts: 725 (7th in TU history)
--6th: Dan Dullea, 804 (1973-76)
Passing Completions: 463 (6th in TU history)
--5th: Ron Meehan, 529 (1977-80)
 
Robert Heyward (R-Sr. LB)
Tackles: 258
--10th: Bill Stup, 266 (1985-88)
 
Shane Leatherbury (R-Sr. WR)
Receptions: 141 (9th in TU history)
--8th: Mike Smith, 142 (1986-89)
--7th: Sean Murphy, 154 (1982-85)
Receiving Touchdowns: 18 (5th in TU history)
--4th: Mike Smith, 20 (1986-89)
Career Receiving Yards: 1,782
--10th: Eric Yancey, 1,814 (2003-06)
 
Aidan O'Neill (Sr. K)
Field Goals: 60 (1st in TU history and CAA history)
--FCS Record: Dan Carpenter, Montana, 75 (2004-07)
Field Goals Attempted: 83 (1st in TU history)
 
Keon Paye (R-Sr. LB)
Interceptions: 11 (tied for 5th in TU history)
--2nd: Three players, 13
 
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
 
Season Records - Towson:
Tom Flacco (R-Sr. QB)
Passing Completions: 180
--10th: Grant Enders, 208 (2012)
Passing Yards: 2,426
--10th: Chris Goetz, 2,503 (1988)
 
Shane Leatherbury (R-Sr. WR)
Receiving Touchdowns: 9 (tied for 6th in TU history)
--2nd: Four players, 10
--1st: Mark Orlando, 12 (1994)
 
Keon Paye (Sr. LB)
Interceptions: 5 (tied for 9th in TU history)
--5th: Four players, 6
 
Yeedee Thaenrat (Sr. RB)
Rushing Touchdowns: 13 (tied for 9th in TU history)
--7th: Terrance West (2012)/Noah Read (2000), 14
--5th: Darius Victor (2015)/Dan Ricker (1984), 15
 
Coby Tippett (Jr. DB)
Interceptions: 5 (tied for 9th in TU history)
--5th: Four players, 6
 
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 (#21 TOWSON 31, RV STONY BROOK 14)
(11/9/19, STONY BROOK, N.Y.):
Towson took the lead late in the second quarter and never looked back, using a 21-0 run to defeat Stony Brook 31-14 on Long Island.
Important Stat:
Towson - Intercepted three SBU passes, two in red zone
SBU - First 200+ yard receiver since 2012
Top Passer:
Towson - Tom Flacco: 19-29, 283 yards, 2 TD
SBU - Tyquell Fields: 13-35, 241 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Adrian Feliz-Platt: 13 rush, 88 yards
SBU - Tyquell Fields: 7 rush, 77 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Darian Street: 4 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD
SBU - Nick Anderson: 8 catches, 205 yards, 2 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Keon Paye (LB): 3 tackles, 2 INT
SBU - Reidgee Dimanche (LB): 13 tackles, 2.0 TFL
 
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.
 
SCOUTING WILLIAM & MARY:
Mike London is the new head coach of William & Mary, taking over for Jimmye Laycock.  This is the first time Towson will play W&M without Laycock, who led the Tribe for 39 seasons.
 
William & Mary ranks third in the CAA in rushing offense, averaging 200.9 yards a game on the ground, with three different players currently having over 330 yards.  The team currently ranked 10th in the CAA in total defense, allowing 410 yards per game.
 
LAST TIME VS. W&M (#17/18 TOWSON 29, WILLIAM & MARY 13)
(10/13/18, TOWSON, MD.):
Down three at halftime on Family Weekend, Towson outscored William & Mary 19-0 in the second half for a 29-13 win, its fourth consecutive victory.
Important Stat:
Towson - 456 yards of total offense, holding W&M to 233
W&M - Two 2nd quarter TDs, including one on blocked FG
Top Passer:
Towson - Tom Flacco: 17-26, 188 yards, 1 TD
W&M - Dean Rotger: 12-18, 92 yards
Top Rusher:
Towson - Tom Flacco: 16 rush, 130 yards
W&M - Albert Funderburke: 16 rush, 50 yards, 1 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Shane Leatherbury: 3 catches, 48 yards
W&M - Chris Conlan: 4 catches, 40 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Robert Heyward (LB): 13 tackles, 0.5 sack, 2 BrUp
W&M - Josh Dulaney (LB): 8 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF
 
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. W&M
--Oct. 22, 2011:
#15 Towson improved to 4-0 in the CAA with its fourth straight victory over a nationally-ranked team, defeating #14 William & Mary 38-27 in Williamsburg.  Towson scored touchdowns on its first four drives, with Terrance West rushing for 141 yards and three scores.
 
--Sept. 15, 2012:
The first-ever CAA game to be televised on the NBC Sports Network saw host Towson defeat William & Mary 20-17.  Terrance West ran for 153 yardsas Towson outgained W&M 422-258 on total offense.
 
--Nov. 16, 2013:
A late third quarter touchdown by Terrance West, his second score of the day, assisted #10 Towson to win 15-9 at #16 William & Mary.  The Towson defense did not allow a touchdown, forced two turnovers and ended three more drives on downs.
 
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 15 interceptions this season, Towson is tied for second in all of FCS in that category, leading to a turnover margin of +9 for the team, 12th in FCS and first in the CAA.  Keon Paye and Coby Tippett each have five interceptions, the first time a Tiger has had at least five picks since 2004.
 
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