The Game: #5 Towson (3-0, 1-0 CAA) vs. #18 Villanova (3-0, 0-0 CAA)
When: Sat., Sept. 21 – 6 p.m.
Where: Johnny Unitas® Stadium – Towson, Md.
Online Broadcast: FloFootball.com
----Broadcasters: Bruce Cunningham (PxP), Gerrard Sheppard (Analyst)
Radio: CBS Sports Radio 1300
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: Villanova leads 9-6
Tickets: https://www1.ticketmaster.com/towson-university-tigers-football-vs-villanova-wildcats-college-football/event/150056FF94FE25EF
 
TOWSON, Md. – The No. 5 Towson University football team is back home for its second straight game against a ranked conference opponent, hosting No. 18 Villanova on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m.
 
Tickets are available for the game at https://www1.ticketmaster.com/towson-university-tigers-football-vs-villanova-wildcats-college-football/event/150056FF94FE25EF, by calling 1-855-TU-TIGER or emailing 4tigertix@towson.edu.  The first 1,000 students in attendance will get a black #BeatNova T-Shirt.  All Towson fans, especially students, are encouraged to wear black for this game as the Tigers will wear all-black uniforms.
 
The game at Johnny Unitas® Stadium will be broadcast live on FloFootball.com, with Bruce Cunningham and Gerrard Sheppard on the call.  The game will also be aired on the radio on CBS Sports 1300 with Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs.
 
Towson enters a game in the top-5 for the first time since 2013.  Towson stands at #5 in each the STATS FCS and AFCA Coaches Polls, going up three spots from the last week.  Villanova has risen in the polls each week, being at #18 in both polls.
 
This is the first Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) game at Johnny Unitas® Stadium this season.  Both teams stand at 3-0 overall on the year: Towson is coming off a dominant 45-23 victory at then #7/9 Maine on Saturday for a 1-0 CAA record while Villanova, playing its first league game of the year, crushed Bucknell 45-10 last week.
 
These two teams have met every year since 2004, with Villanova leading the all-time series 9-6.  Towson won the last meeting, knocking off then #10 Villanova 45-35 on Sept. 15, 2018 in Pennsylvania.
 
With five remaining home games for Towson, three future opponents are currently ranked in the top-25: Villanova, Delaware and Elon.
 

Game Coverage is Presented by Travelstead.
 
TOWSON: TOP-5 TEAM IN FCS
Following a 23-point victory over then #7/9 Maine, Towson leapt three sports in each national poll, going up to #5 in the STATS FCS Poll and #5 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
   
These are the highest rankings that Towson has had since 2013.  Towson was ranked in the top-12 in the 2019 preseason, the first preseason ranking since 2014.
 
In total, six CAA teams are in each top-25 poll: James Madison (#2 STATS, #2 AFCA), Maine (#12, #16), Villanova (#18, #18) Delaware (#20, #20) and Elon (#22, 22).
 
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.
 
TOWSON BEGINS CAA PLAY ON THE ROAD, AGAIN
For the fifth consecutive season, Towson will start conference play on the road.  This year, Towson opened at defending CAA champion Maine, winning 45-23.
 
Towson is 2-3 in these CAA road openers, winning 45-35 at Villanova in 2018.  Towson opened CAA play at Stony Brook in 2017, at Villanova in 2016 and at Elon in 2015.
 
The last time Towson began CAA play at home was in 2014, hosting Maine.
 
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.  In addition, Tom Flacco and alum Ryan Delaire were unveiled on CFL Negotiation Lists in August 2019.
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: 10.5
10th: Justin Yelverton, 16.0 (1999-2002)
 
Tom Flacco (R-Sr. QB)
Passing Touchdowns: 33 (t-8th in TU history)
--7th: Grant Enders, 35 (2011-12)
Passing Yards: 4,039
--10th: Peter Athens, 4,217 (2009-13)
Passing Attempts: 531
--10th: Jason Amer, 541 (2001-03)
Passing Completions: 325 (10th in TU history)
--9th: Joe Lee, 345 (1996-99)
 
Robert Heyward (R-Sr. LB)
Tackles: 214
--10th: Bill Stup, 266 (1985-88)
 
Shane Leatherbury (R-Sr. WR)
Receptions: 111
--9th: Two players, 138
Receiving Touchdowns: 11
--8th: Five players, 14
Career Receiving Yards: 1,362
--10th: Eric Yancey, 1,814 (2003-06)
 
Aidan O'Neill (Sr. K)
Field Goals: 56 (1st in TU history)
--FCS Record: Dan Carpenter, Montana, 75 (2004-07)
Field Goals Attempted: 75 (1st in TU history)
--FCS Record: Chris Snyder, Montana, 107 (2000-03)
 
Keon Paye (R-Sr. LB)
Interceptions: 8 (tied for 10th in TU history)
--8th: Two players, 9
Tackles: 186
--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 (TOWSON 45, MAINE 23)
(9/14/19, ORONO, MAINE):
At 17-16 in the third quarter, #8 Towson scored 28 unanswered points to take down defending CAA champion #7/9 Maine 45-23.
Important Stat:
Towson - +4 turnover margin, 0 turnovers
Maine - 401 passing yards, 68 rushing yards
Top Passer:
Towson - Tom Flacco: 20-34, 232 yards, 1 TD
Maine - Chris Ferguson: 28-49, 401 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Yeedee Thaenrat: 9 rush, 24 yards, 4 TD
Maine - Emmanuel Reed: 8 rush, 22 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Chris Clark: 4 catches, 64 yards, 1 TD
Maine - Earnes Edwards: 6 catches, 116 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Steven Brown (DB): 9 tkls., 1 TFL, 1 INT, 1 BrUp
Maine - Myles Taylor (DB): 8 tkls., 2 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.
 
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 VILLANOVA:
Villanova, picked to finish 9th in the preseason CAA coaches poll, has earned a 3-0 start, under third-year head coach Mark Ferrante, for the first time since 2009.
 
The team currently stands second in the CAA with 39 points per game and is first in scoring defense with 11.3 points allowed per game.  Junior Daniel Smith leads the air attack with 162 passing yards a game, complemented by classmate Justin Covington getting 120.7 yards a game on the ground.  Junior Malik Fisher is the current conference leader in sacks with three.
 
LAST TIME VS. VILLANOVA (TOWSON 45, #10 VILLANOVA 35)
(9/15/18, VILLANOVA, PA.):
Towson rallied from an early 14-0 deficit with 35 unanswered points in the first half to defeat Villanova 45-35 in the CAA opener.
Important Stat:
Towson - 35 consecutive points off five first half touchdowns
VU - Two 100+ yard receivers
Top Passer:
Towson - Tom Flacco: 27-37, 320 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
VU - Zach Bednarczyk: 26-35, 389 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Shane Simpson: 19 rush, 100 yards, 1 TD
VU - Aaron Forbes: 8 rush, 74 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Shane Leatherbury: 5 catches, 113 yards, 2 TD
VU - Jarrett McClenton: 6 catches, 114 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Keon Paye (LB): 7 tkls., 1 TFL, 1 INT
VU - Jeff Steeb (LB): 9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT
 
FIRST 3-0 START SINCE 2013
With victories over The Citadel, N.C. Central and Maine, Towson has 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.  The Tigers also started 2-0 in 2011, Towson's first playoff berth under head coach Rob Ambrose.
 
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON-VILLANOVA SERIES
--Sept. 10, 2011:
Towson won its first home CAA game under coach Rob Ambrose with a 31-10 victory over #20 Villanova, shutting out the Wildcats in the first half with a 14-0 advantage and not trailing the rest of the way. It was Towson's first win against a ranked opponent since 2007.
 
--Sept. 15, 2018:
Towson came back from down 14 early with 35 consecutive points for a 45-35 victory at #10 Villanova, its first win over a top-10 opponent since 2013.  Tom Flacco had a second-straight 300+ yard passing game.  After this win, Towson will be ranked for the first time since 2014 and will remain ranked the rest of the year.
 
FLACCO FINDING TARGETS
Through the first three games, Tom Flacco has found 13 different receivers.  Shane Leatherbury is the leader with 14 receptions thus far, with all other players having 1-8 catches.
 
In all of the 2018 season, 14 Tigers had at least one reception in the combined 12 games.
 
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, which is 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 respective negotiation lists twice a year.
 
INTERCEPTORS
With seven interceptions through the first three games, Towson is tied for first in all of FCS in that category, leading to a turnover margin of +7 for the team.
 
Coby Tippett has intercepted a pass in each of the first three games while Keon Paye has two.
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