The Game: Towson (2-3, 0-2 CAA) @ No. 14/18 Elon (4-1, 2-0 CAA)
When: Sat., Oct. 8, 2 p.m.
Where: Rhodes Stadium – Elon, N.C.
Online Broadcast: FloSports ($)
----Broadcasters: Taylor Durham (PxP), Khirey Walker (analyst)
Radio/Online Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (analyst)
Series: Towson leads 6-4
 
ELON, N.C. – For the second straight week, the Towson University football team will play a top-15 opponent on the road, taking on #14/18 Elon on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.
 
The game will be broadcast online on FloSports.  Taylor Durham and Khirey Walker will have the call live from Rhodes Stadium.  In addition, the radio call will be on towsontigers.com, with Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs on the call.
 
For those who cannot make it to the game, the official watch party will be at C&R Pub in downtown Towson at 2 p.m.  Join your fellow Tiger fans as Towson takes on Elon.
 
Towson has fallen in its last three games, the last a 24-10 defeat at #6 Delaware on Oct. 1, to stand at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the CAA.  Elon is riding a four-game winning streak, coming off a 30-27 home overtime win over #17/21 Richmond on Saturday, to be 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the CAA.  Elon is ranked #14 in the STATS FCS Poll and #18 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
 
Towson holds a 6-4 edge in the series against Elon, which joined the CAA in 2014.  Elon has won the last two, each in Towson, including a 37-14 victory on Nov. 13, 2021.
 
This is Towson's final game before the bye week.  Towson is playing in North Carolina for the first time since Nov. 10, 2018, a 41-10 win over Elon.
 
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, 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.
 
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.
 
21 GRADUATES SUITING UP FOR TOWSON
Several Tigers are playing as college graduates. Towson has 21 total graduate players, tied for 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)
 
PERKINS EARNS CAA ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
With a six-catch, 81-yard receiving performance against Bucknell, Isaiah Perkins was honored as the CAA Rookie of the Week.  He is the first Towson player to earn this honor since November 2017.
 
HUNTER EARNS CAA SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Earning Towson's first kickoff return for a touchdown since 2019, D'Ago Hunter was the CAA Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 19.  His 96-yard kickoff return for a TD against West Virginia was the sixth-longest in FCS and second-longest for an FCS player vs. an FBS team.
 
LAST GAME (#6 DELAWARE 24, TOWSON 10)
(10/1/2022 - NEWARK, DEL.):
Towson held No. 6 Delaware without points for the opening 22 minutes and had the first lead of the game but fell to the Blue Hens 24-10.
Important Stat:
Towson - Robert Javier - first Towson defensive TD of the season
Delaware - Two 65+ yard touchdown plays
Top Passer:
Towson - Tyrrell Pigrome: 9-23, 62 yards, 1 INT
Delaware - Nolan Henderson: 25-41, 368 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Joachim Bangda: 12 rush, 53 yards
Delaware - Kyron Cumby: 15 rush, 100 yards, 1 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Isaiah Perkins: 3 catches, 28 yards
Delaware - Chandler Harvin: 3 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Robert Javier (CB): 7 tackles, 1 INT, TD (97-yard return)
Delaware - Johnny Buchanan (LB): 11 tackles
 
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.
    --Vinnie Shaffer (Saint Anselm): 20 tackles
    --Jesus Gibbs (South Carolina): 19 tackles
    --Bryce Lauer (not a transfer): 18 tackles
    --Tramar Reece (Indiana): 13 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.) - 186 rec. yards
    Isaiah Perkins (not a transfer) - 160 rec. yards
    Darian Street (Pittsburgh) - 79 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 ELON:
Elon is off to a 2-0 CAA start for the first time since 2018.  The Phoenix have scored at least 26 points in all five games played.
 
Redshirt senior transfer Matthew McCay quarterbacks the team, throwing 61.6% form 1,371 yards and 12 touchdowns, finding senior Bryson Daughtry 20 times for 437 yards, second in the CAA, and three scores.  Ranked third in the CAA in tackles for loss with eight, senior linebacker Marcus Hillman adds 38 total tackles and two forced fumbles.
 
LAST GAME (ELON 37, TOWSON 14)
(11/13/2021, TOWSON, MD.):
Towson got another 100-yard rushing game from Jerry Howard Jr. on Senior Day, but fell to Elon 37-14 to close out the home season.
Important Stat:
Towson - Finished with 203 rushing yards
Elon - Scored points on seven of 11 offensive drives
Top Passer:
Towson - Vincent Amendola: 10-24, 89 yards, 1 TD
Elon - Davis Cheek: 16-27, 251 yards, 1 TD
Top Rusher:
Towson - Jerry Howard Jr.: 17 rush, 126 yards
Elon - Jaylan Thomas: 14 rush, 58 yards, 1 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Ty'Shaun Granger: 3 catches, 29 yards
Elon - Kortez Weeks: 6 catches, 124 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Darien Reynolds (LB): 6 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 2 QBH
Elon - Devonte Chandler (LB): 8 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 QBH
 
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. ELON:
--Nov. 4, 2017 (Elon, N.C. - Elon 33-30 (2OT)):
Towson came back from down 17 in the final 10:34 of the game to force overtime against #7 Elon, but the Phoenix won with field goals in the two overtime periods to get a 33-30 victory.  Towson had a pair of 100-yard receivers in the game: Jabari Greenwood had 130 yards while Shane Leatherbury got 109 yards and a score.
 
--Nov. 10, 2018 (Elon, N.C. - Towson 41-10):
#20 Towson earns its first victory over a top-5 opponent since the 2013 playoffs with a dominant 41-10 victory at #5 Elon, holding the Phoenix to 30 passing yards in the game.  Robert Heyward tallied up 13 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, while Tom Flacco passed for 326 yards and three touchdowns.
 
--Nov. 23, 2019 (Towson, Md. - Elon 25-23)
#19 Towson led most of the way against Elon, including a 20-5 advantage with four minutes left in the third quarter, but the Phoenix came back and took the lead on a field goal with 41 seconds left to win 25-23.  In his final game with Towson, Yeedee Thaenrat rushed 11 times for 103 yards, averaging 9.4 yards per carry.
 
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.