The Game: Towson (2-4, 0-3 CAA) vs. No. 12/13 William & Mary (5-1, 2-1 CAA)
When: Sat., Oct. 22, 4 p.m.
Where: Johnny Unitas® Stadium
Online Broadcast: FloSports ($)
Radio/Online Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: William & Mary leads 10-7
 
TOWSON, Md. – Following the bye week, the Towson University football game has its third straight game against a top-15 opponent, hosting #12/13 William & Mary for Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 4 p.m.
 
Tickets are available for the game through the Towson Athletics Ticket Office.  For more information, interested parties can visit www.towsontigers.com, call1-855-TU-TIGER or email dkogok@towson.edu.
 
Attendees at Unitas will enjoy the new Tiger Town tailgate area, beer sales at Unitas and much, much more.
 
This contest will also be broadcast online on FloSports.  Visit https://flosports.link/3PiZj24 to view the full Colonial Athletic Association schedule and sign up today.  In addition, the radio call will be on towsontigers.com, with Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs on the call.
 
Towson has fallen in its last four games, coming off a 27-10 defeat at then-#14/18 Elon on Oct. 8 to be 2-4 overall and 0-3 in the CAA.  William & Mary also is coming off a bye week, knocking off then-#6 Delaware 27-21 on Oct. 8 to stand at 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the CAA.  W&M is #12 in the STATS FCS Poll and #13 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
 
W&M won 40-14 on Oct. 23, 2021 in Williamsburg to lead the all-time series 10-7.  The Tigers had taken the previous four before last year, including the last game in Towson, a 29-13 win on Oct. 13, 2018.
 
Towson will play five CAA games in as many weeks to finish up the regular season.
 
TOWSON RETURNS FOR 2022 SEASON
It is a new year for Towson as the Tigers are set for their 53rd season.  Rob Ambrose returns at the helm of his 13th season.
 
It is a new look Towson team with over 50 new players joining since the spring season began.  Four starters return on each side of the ball for Towson in 2021:
 
Offense:
--Darian Street, WR
--Jabari Allen, WR
--Luke Hamilton, FB
--Cole Cheripko, OL
Defense:
--Vinnie Shaffer, DL
--Ryan Kearney, LB
--Robert Topps III, S
--Charles Peeples, CB
 
GIBBS NAMED TO REESE'S SENIOR BOWL WATCH LIST
Towson defensive lineman Jesus Gibbs has been selected to the 10th Annual Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List. The Senior Bowl, set for Feb. 4, 2023, will gather some of the top prospects for the upcoming National Football League (NFL) Draft.  Gibbs will look to be the first Towson player to compete in the Reese's Senior Bowl since Tony Vinson played in the game in 1994.
 
Gibbs, a South Carolina transfer, enters his third year playing for the Tigers in 2022.  The standout defensive lineman had three games with at least four tackles each before ending the year due to injury, including three total tackles for loss.  He was recently featured on Bruce Feldman's 2022 College Football "Freaks" List as one of the top college football players with unique physical abilities.
 
WOODS SELECTED TO JERRY RICE AWARD WATCH LIST
Mason Woods has been honored with a place on the 2022 Stats Perform FCS Jerry Rice Award Watch List.  The Jerry Rice Award, in its 12^th season, is presented to the top freshman in FCS each year.  Woods is one of 25 freshmen across FCS to be placed on the watch list, including one of four linebackers.
 
Woods is the first member of the Jerry Rice Award Watch List since Shane Simpson finished ninth in the voting in 2016.  Former Towson running back Terrance West won the inaugural Jerry Rice Award for the 2011 season.
 
A redshirt freshman from Woodbridge, Virginia, Woods has started all six games this season for the Tigers, standing second on the team with 49 tackles, adding a sack, and interception and three pass-breakups. 
 
HAMILTON, HUNTER RECOGNIZED ON CAA PRESEASON AWARDS
Two Tigers were recognized on the CAA preseason awards: Luke Hamilton earned 2022 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team while D'Ago Hunter was an honorable mention at kick/punt returner.
 
Hamilton was the 2021 Second Team All-CAA fullback and picks up his first-ever preseason all-league selection.  The senior was one of the top blocking fullbacks in the league last season in seven games played, also making receptions in five contests.
 
Hunter is recognized in the preseason by the CAA for the first time.  The 2021 All-CAA Third Team punt returner, the redshirt senior was Towson's all-purpose yards leader last season with 1,104, including 753 on kickoff returns and 121 on punt returns.
 
BATTLE FOR GREATER BALTIMORE SERIES EXTENDED THROUGH 2027
In July 2021, Towson and Morgan State announced an extension of the Battle for Greater Baltimore series through the 2027 season.  The two teams will alternate hosting rights each year. The teams are separated by five miles, the closest pair of teams in all of FCS play.
 
Towson will host Morgan State on Sept. 10, the first game between the two at Unitas since 2017.  On Sept. 4, 2021, Towson defeated Morgan State 31-0.  Towson leads the all-time series 20-6.
 
22 GRADUATES SUITING UP FOR TOWSON
Several Tigers are playing as college graduates. Towson has 22 total graduate players, third-most across FCS.
Towson graduates (10) -
Jabari Allen                             Charles Peeples
Cole Cheripko                         Robert Schwob
Alex Desire                             Vinnie Shaffer
Jamal Gay                               Darian Street
Ryan Kearney                         Robert Topps III
           
Graduates of other schools (12) -
Juwan Burgess (Indiana)        Janaz Jordan (Colorado)
Mason Cholewa (UCF)           Tyrrell Pigrome (WKU)
Damir Faison (Kent St.)          Tramar Reece (Indiana)
Shaheem Haltiwanger (SCSU)           Josh Roberts (Lafayette)
Da'Kendall James (Norfolk St.)          Julian Singh (LIU)
Tyler Johnston III (UAB)         Makye Smith (Stony Brook)
 
TOWSON PICKED 11TH IN CAA PRESEASON POLL
The Tigers were predicted to finish 11th in the league in the preseason coaches poll.  Towson received 81 points in the poll.
 
2021 CAA co-champion Villanova was predicted to finish first with 16 first-place votes and 270 points while Delaware is second with seven first-place votes and 235 points.
 
2022 CAA Football Predicted Order of Finish
1. Villanova (16 first-place votes), 270 points
2. Delaware (7), 235
3. Rhode Island, 224
4. Richmond, 219
5. William & Mary (2), 206
6. Elon (1), 191
7. Stony Brook, 151
8. Maine, 134
9. New Hampshire, 117
10. Monmouth, 105
11. Towson, 81
12. UAlbany, 64
13. Hampton, 31
 
TIGERS IN THE PROS
Former Towson players are making their mark in the professional ranks.  Tye Smith was in preseason camp with the Minnesota Vikings, seeking to play in his sixth season in the NFL and second with the Vikings.  In all, he has played in 45 regular season games, competing at cornerback and special teams.
 
In 2022, Darius Victor was the Offensive Player of the Year in the reformed USFL, earning 577 rushing yards and nine touchdowns for the North Division regular season champion New Jersey Generals. 
 
Towson has also made its mark in the Canadian Football League.  Two former Towson players, Malik Tyne and Andrew Garnett, currently compete for the Edmonton Elks while Tibo Debaillie plays for the BC Lions.
 
Tigers in the Pros – 2022
--Tye Smith (CB): Minnesota Vikings, NFL (released 8/29)
--Darius Victor (RB): New Jersey Generals, USFL
--Diondre Wallace (LB): New Orleans Breakers, USFL (draftee)
--Malik Tyne (LB): Edmonton Elks, CFL
--Tibo Debaillie (DL): BC Lions, CFL (formerly Edmonton Elks)
--Andrew Garnett (OL): Edmonton Elks, CFL
--Shane Simpson (RB): Winnipeg Blue Bombers (signee)
 
PUNTER FROM DOWN UNDER
Riley Williams, a native of Victoria, Australia, has been a stellar punter for the Tigers, standing sixth in FCS and first in the CAA with 44.36 yards per punt, totaling 1,242 yards on 28 punts.
 
Williams has 10 punts of over 50 yards and 10 punts placed inside the 20-yard line.
 
LINE UP THE LINEBACKERS
Ryan Kearney stands as Towson's leader in tackles with 50, after having 27 in 2021, plus four pass-breakups.  Playing his first season, Mason Woods is second with 49, adding three pass break-ups.
LAST GAME (#14/18 ELON 27, TOWSON 10)
(10/8/2022 - ELON, N.C.):
Towson was within one score with possession in its upset bid, but fell at No. 14/18 Elon 27-10.
Important Stat:
Towson - Held Elon to 1.8 yards per rush
Elon - Forced four turnovers
Top Passer:
Towson - Tyrrell Pigrome: 9-13, 108 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Elon - Matthew McKay: 19-30, 312 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Tyrrell Pigrome: 7 rush, 36 yards
Elon - Jalen Hampton: 24 rush, 48 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Da'Kendall James: 5 catches, 35 yards, 1 TD
Elon - Jackson Parham: 7 catches, 152 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Ryan Kearney (LB): 8 tackles, 1 INT
Elon - Devonte Chandler (LB): 5 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 2 FF
 
ALLEN APPROACHING RECORDS
Jabari Allen is approaching the top-10 of several receiving records for the program.
Jabari Allen (R-Sr. WR)
Receiving Yards: 1,268
--10th: Shane Leatherbury, 1,848 (2017-19)
Receiving Touchdowns: 13
--9th: Many players, 14
Receptions: 106
--10th: Mike Deal, 138 (1996-99)
 
QUARTERBACK COMPETITION.....
With Towson's primary three quarterbacks all leaving after last season, the Tigers have been having a position battle with several competitors.
 
#2 Rishon Holmes, Fr.
Three-star recruit, Baltimore native at Milford Mill
#14 Zack Jackson, R-Fr.
University of Maryland transfer after 2021 redshirt season
#17 Tyler Johnston III, Gr.
Grad transfer from UAB, led Blazers to two league titles
#15 Nathan Kent, R-So.
Played in final game of 2021 (only returner to play at TU)
#4 Tyrrell Pigrome, Gr.
Former starting QB at Maryland and Western Kentucky
#16 Scott Smith III, R-Fr.
2021 top-10 QBs in DMV by NBC Sports Washington
 
TRANSFERS LINE THE D-LINE.....
    Towson's defensive line is stacked with transfers to bolster the ranks, including the top two tacklers so far in 2022.
    --Jesus Gibbs (South Carolina): 25 tackles
    --Vinnie Shaffer (Saint Anselm): 24 tackles
    --Bryce Lauer (not a transfer): 22 tackles
    --Tramar Reece (Indiana): 15 tackles
    Also on the line rotation includes Oly Okombi (Kent St.), Janaz Jordan (Colorado), Shaheem Halitwanger (South Carolina St.) and Mason Cholewa (UCF).
 
.....AND THE WR CORPS
    Early on, two of Towson's top three receivers are also transfers.
    Da'Kendall James (Norfolk St.) - 221 rec. yards
    Isaiah Perkins (not a transfer) - 160 rec. yards
    Darian Street (Pittsburgh) - 116 rec. yards
 
AMBROSE - 3RD LONGEST TENURED CAA COACH
Head coach Rob Ambrose, a Towson graduate of 1993, returns at the helm of the Tigers for his 13th season in 2022 and is the third-longest tenured head coach in the CAA.
 
Going into its 53rd 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 Monmouth's Kevin Callahan (30th season) and Stony Brook's Chuck Priore (17th season).
 
INTERNATIONAL TIGERS
Towson's influence is growing across the world. Two Towson offensive linemen are from Germany: Roman Wahrheit and Florian Staehler. Towson has other ties to Germany: Konstantinos Kosmakos is an assistant coach for the Marburg Mercenaries, which includes Towson graduate Robert Heyward at linebacker.
 
New to the team this year from overseas includes punter Riley Williams from Australia and offensive lineman Sahil Bhullar from Canada.
 
In Ambrose's time, Towson has also had players from Belgium, Finland, Germany, and Norway.
 
FROM UP AND DOWN THE EAST COAST...
The Towson roster nearly covers every state along the coastline from New York to Florida, with Delaware as the lone exception.  12 states, plus the District of Columbia, are represented by the Tigers.  Away from the East Coast, Towson has players from Alabama, Illinois and Oregon.
 
...AND REPPING THE HOME STATE
The Towson roster represents the Old Line State well, sporting 48 players from the home state of Maryland.  This includes six players from Baltimore City/County: Keith Bagwell (Baltimore), Anthony Delle Donne (Baltimore), Dion Crews-Harris (Baltimore), Rishon Holmes (Baltimore), Vinnie Shaffer (Middle River) and Scott Smith III (Brooklandville).
 
SCOUTING WILLIAM & MARY:
William & Mary's 5-1 record is the program's best start since 2010.  The team stands second in the CAA with 32.8 points a game.
 
W&M is fifth in FCS with 246 rushing yards a game, led by senior Bronson Yoder with 530 yards, on 6.4 yards a carry, and five touchdowns.   Sophomore Darius Wilson leads the air attack, throwing 64.6% for 1,102 yards, seven scores and four picks.  The FCS sacks leader lines up for W&M: sophomore linebacker John Pius has 9.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss on 40 total tackles.
 
LAST GAME (W&M 40, TOWSON 14)
(10/23/2021, WILLIAMSBURG, VA.):
Towson was unable to overcome an early 14-point first quarter deficit and fell at William & Mary 40-14.
Important Stat:
Towson - Had two QBs with at least 120 passing yards
W&M - Rushed for 339 yards, most in single game this season
Top Passer:
Towson - Chris Ferguson: 9-20, 125 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
W&M - Darius Wilson: 7-12, 164 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Jerry Howard Jr.: 17 rush, 71 yards
W&M - Donavyn Lester: 13 rush, 99 yards, 3 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Caleb Smith: 6 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD
W&M - Zach Burdick: 1 catch, 65 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Christian Dixon (LB): 7 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 BrUp
W&M - Nate Lynn (DL): 5 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 FF
 
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. W&M:
--Sept. 15, 2012 (Towson, Md. - Towson 20-17):
Towson's first game in defense of its 2011 CAA championship was a thriller, with the Tigers holding off a W&M comeback attempt to take a 20-17 victory.  Towson needed 422 yards of total offense and a 35:52 time of possession, with quarterback Grant Enders having 234 yards of total offense himself.
 
--Nov. 16, 2013 (Williamsburg, Va. - Towson 15-9):
#10 Towson was tasked with taking on the top ranked defense in FCS in #16 W&M, winning its 10th straight road game with a 15-9 victory.  Terrance West ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in the third quarter to give Towson the lead for good.  Donnell Lewis finished with 10 tackles and a key fourth quarter interception.
 
--Oct. 13, 2018 (Towson, Md. - Towson 29-13)
In its last game against W&M under Jimmye Laycock, Towson overcame a three-point halftime deficit with a 19-0 second half to defeat the Tribe 29-13.  Towson nearly doubled up W&M on total offense with 456 yards to its opponent's 233, including Tom Flacco throwing for 188 yards and rushing for 109 more.
 
STAN EISENHOOTH TO ENTER TOWSON ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
Among the inductees into the Towson Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2022 includes former offensive lineman Stan Eisenhooth.  He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Oct. 21.
 
Eisenhooth started for three years on the Towson offensive line from 1983 to 1985, helping the Tigers to two appearances in the NCAA D2 Playoffs, including getting to the semifinal in 1984.
 
He would go on to play in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts.
 
CAA FOOTBALL SHAKEUP
CAA Football added a pair of programs in the past academic season: Hampton and Monmouth are new CAA members this year.  Though Stony Brook was already a CAA Football member, the Seawolves joined the CAA as a full member this year.
 
Towson will play each new program this year: at Monmouth on Oct. 29 and vs. Hampton on Nov. 19.
 
In addition, two more programs will join the conference starting in the 2023-24 athletic year: Campbell and North Carolina A&T.