The Game: #10 Towson (3-1, 1-1 CAA) at #9/8 Florida (4-0, 2-0 SEC)
When: Sat., Sept. 28 – 4 p.m.
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium – Gainesville, Fla.
TV/Online Broadcast: SEC Network/WatchESPN
----Broadcasters: Taylor Zarzour (PxP), Matt Stinchcomb (Analyst), Alyssa Lang (Reporter)
Radio: CBS Sports Radio 1300
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: First Meeting
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/university-of-florida-gators-football-vs-towson-university-tigers-football/event/2200564586379097
 
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A pair of top-10 programs in their respective divisions are set to battle on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 4 p.m. as the No. 10 Towson University football team will challenge No. 9/8 Florida in Gainesville.
 
The game will be broadcast nationally on the SEC Network and online on WatchESPN.  Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb and Alyssa Lang will be on the call live from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville.  The game will also be aired on the radio on CBS Sports 1300 with Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs.
 
Tickets for the game are available via Ticketmaster.
 
This is the second time this season where Towson will play in a game where both teams are ranked in the top-10 of the division.  Towson enters at #10 in each the STATS FCS Top-25 and AFCA FCS Coaches Poll.  Florida stands at #9 in the Associated Press Top-25 and #8 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
 
Towson had its three-game winning streak snapped in an overtime thriller vs. then #18 Villanova 52-45, entering at 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association.  Florida won 34-3 vs. league opponent Tennessee on Saturday to improve to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Southeastern Conference.
 
This is the first-ever meeting between Towson and Florida.  Towson's last, and only, game against an SEC opponent was Sept. 29, 2012, a 38-22 defeat at then #3 LSU.  The Tigers are looking for their first victory over a FBS opponent since the team's 33-18 win at Connecticut on Aug. 29, 2013.
 
This is also the first time since Sept. 3, 2016, a 56-20 defeat at USF, where Towson will play a game in the state of Florida.
 
Game Coverage is Presented by Travelstead.

 
TOWSON: TOP-10 TEAM FOR FOURTH WEEK IN A ROW
Despite an overtime loss to Villanova, Towson is in the FCS top-10 for the fourth consecutive week, being at #10 in the STATS FCS Poll and #10 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
   
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, six CAA teams are in each top-25 poll: Towson, James Madison (#2 STATS, #2 AFCA), Villanova (#8, #13), Maine (t#12, #16) Delaware (#20, #19) and Elon (#24, 24).
 
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 started 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: 34 (8th in TU history)
--7th: Grant Enders, 35 (2011-12)
Passing Yards: 4,343 (10th in TU history)
--9th: Grant Enders, 4,423 (2011-12)
--8th: Joe Lee, 4,453 (1996-99)
Passing Attempts: 573 (9th in TU history)
--8th: Joe Lee, 593 (1996-99)
Passing Completions: 346 (9th in TU history)
--8th: Kurt Beathard, 370 (1984-85)
 
Robert Heyward (R-Sr. LB)
Tackles: 221
--10th: Bill Stup, 266 (1985-88)
 
Shane Leatherbury (R-Sr. WR)
Receptions: 116
--9th: Two players, 138
Receiving Touchdowns: 12
--8th: Five players, 14
Career Receiving Yards: 1,480
--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: 76 (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: 189
--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 VILLANOVA 52, #5 TOWSON 45 (OT))
(9/21/19, TOWSON, MD.):
Towson came back from down 14 points in the fourth quarter to lead with 1:52 left, but Villanova forced overtime and won 52-45 in a top-20 battle at Unitas.
Important Stat:
Towson - Third straight game with 42+ points scored
Villanova - 574 yards of total offense
Top Passer:
Towson - Tom Flacco: 21-42, 304 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Villanova - Daniel Smith: 25-42, 279 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Tom Flacco: 13 rush, 110 yards, 1 TD
Villanova - Justin Covington: 27 rush, 194 yards, 1 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Shane Leatherbury: 5 catches, 118 yards, 1 TD
Villanova - Jaaron Hayek: 6 catches, 108 yards, 2 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Robert Heyward (LB): 7 tkls., 1 INT, TD (49 yds.)
Villanova - Drew Wiley (DB): 5 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 3 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 FLORIDA:
Florida, under second-year head coach Dan Mullen, has been in the top-10 in FBS all season long, putting seven players on the All-SEC Preseason Team.
 
Kyle Trask, who stepped in at quarterback after an injury to Feleipe Franks, leads a passing offense that is fourth in the SEC at 294.8 yards a game.  The Gators are tied for 10th in all of FBS in scoring defense, allowing 11 points a game, ranking #1 in the FBS with 20 team sacks and #2 with seven interceptions.
 
LAST TIME VS. SEC TEAM (#3 LSU 38, #12 TOWSON 22)
(9/29/12, BATON ROUGE, LA.):
Towson led 9-7 late in the first half against LSU but fell victim to 24 unanswered points by the home team in a 38-22 defeat in Baton Rouge.
Important Stat:
Towson - Forced five fumbles, recovered three
LSU - Two touchdowns on plays of 53+ yards
Top Passer:
Towson - Grant Enders: 13-33, 103 yards, 1 TD
LSU - Zach Mettenberger: 15-26, 238 yards, 2 TD
Top Rusher:
Towson - Terrance West: 22 rush, 79 yards, 2 TD
LSU - Michael Ford: 11 rush, 76 yards, 1 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Tom Ryan: 4 catches, 54 yards
LSU - Odell Beckham: 5 catches, 128 yards, 2 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Tye Smith (DB): 10 tkls., 2 TFL, 1 FF, 2 sacks
LSU - Lavar Edwards (DL): 7 tkls., 1.5 sacks
 
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.  The Tigers also started 2-0 in 2011, Towson's first playoff berth under head coach Rob Ambrose.
 
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. FBS TEAMS
--Aug. 29, 2013:
#11 Towson earned its first-ever victory over an FBS opponent with a 33-18 victory at Connecticut, outscoring the Huskies 20-8 in the second half.  Terrance West ran for 156 yards and two touchdowns.  Towson would go to the FCS Championship game that season.
 
--Sept. 5, 2015:
Towson got to the red zone in the final minutes with a chance to tie late, but fell at East Carolina 28-20.  Darius Victor ran for 137 yards on 28 carries.
 
--Sept. 8, 2018:
The Tigers had a 14-14 tie score through the first quarter, falling at Wake Forest 51-20 in Towson's last game against an FBS opponent.  Tom Flacco was 35-for-51 in the air for 345 yards and three touchdowns.
 
FLACCO FINDING TARGETS
Through the first four games, Tom Flacco has found 13 different receivers.  Shane Leatherbury is the leader with 19 receptions thus far, with all other players having 1-12 catches.  In 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 nine interceptions through the first four 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 also has three.  Paye and Robert Heyward each have touchdowns off picks.
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