TOWSON, Md. – Spring practice for the Towson University football team has concluded, but the training for the 2019 season is still well underway.
 
Towson had its earliest spring season under the tenure of Rob Ambrose, who will enter his 11^th season as head coach of the Tigers in the 2019 season.  The Tigers began on-field spring practice in February and concluded in the middle of March.
 
The Tigers got to experience frigid weather, getting them ready for potential games in such conditions in the latter part of the 2019 season.  Practices were held in the mornings, typically from 8-10 a.m. at Johnny Unitas® Stadium in cold, windy conditions, occasionally dealing with snow in the Greater Baltimore area.
 
"We had a chance to get young guys some reps that they did not see during the season," said Ambrose. "Everyone got good fundamental work.  We got lucky to get spring ball in with many weather-related school closings, and we got it done before Spring Break.  It is a testament to the kids, the staff and the support staff to pull this off in the middle of winter, but we pushed it up for a purpose."
 
For the remainder of the 2019 spring semester, the team will focus on working out in the weight room, watching film and completing work in the classroom.  Towson put a big emphasis on its training regimen and workouts this year.
 
"For the next four months, our focus will be on eating right, sleeping right, lifting right, getting bigger and stronger for the season," said Ambrose.  "We got practice done earlier so the kids could spend more time to focus on going to class, resting and training."
 
The returners from the 2018 season plus the spring newcomers, including a couple of transfers, walk-ons and spring signees, took the field together for the 2019 spring practices.  The defense had some changes from 2018 with the loss of a number of starters plus a new defensive coordinator.  Robert Heyward has stepped into a new role as the leader while Terrill Gillette and Cody Tippett were cited for having a strong performance in spring practice.
 
"The defense was better than expected," said Ambrose. "We changed our scheme, and that made a learning curve for everybody.  While some of it is similar, the terminology is different.  It is like learning a new language in a short period of time.  The kids picked it up, playing hard and fast."
 
On the offensive end, Towson brings back Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Offensive Player of the Year Tom Flacco, CAA Special Teams Player of the Year Shane Simpson and Aidan O'Neill, all of whom were FCS All-Americans.  Flacco attended most practices while also playing for the Towson baseball team, allowing for quarterbacks Ryan Stover, Jeff Miller and Tyler Raines to get reps with the first team offense.  Ambrose highlighted Cole Cheripko and Aaron Grzymkowski for playing all five offensive line positions in the spring as well as Adrian Platt, who is returning from injury, and Daniel Thompson, a freshman wide receiver, for having great performances.
 
Towson is coming off its first NCAA FCS Playoff berth and first playoff home game since 2013.  The Tigers finished 7-5, tying for third place in the CAA at 5-3 and earning victories over then-ranked programs Elon, Stony Brook and Villanova, but fell in the FCS First Round to Duquesne.  This season came after Towson had been picked tenth in the CAA Preseason Coaches Poll.
 
"This is the second spring in a row with a workman-like attitude, they are not distracted by much," said Ambrose. "They are tight and together as team.  They have goals, and they are working towards them.  It is tough when there is not a bowl game on the backend: it is the playoffs, only one team in America that ends the season the way they want them to.  Where we finished, how we finished, no one is pleased with that.  We've adapted, we've adjusted, and I dare you to pick us tenth in the CAA again."
 
Season tickets are currently available for the 2019 Towson home games.  Prices are currently $100 for Section 211 and $75 for all other sections; those prices are set until May 31^st at 3 p.m., when all prices will go up to tier three.
 
- TowsonTigers.com –