The Game: Towson (4-5, 2-4 CAA) @ Stony Brook (2-7, 1-5 CAA)
When: Sat., Nov. 12, 1 p.m.
Where: Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium – Stony Brook, N.Y.
Online Broadcast: FloSports ($)
----Broadcasters: Jonny Wincott (PxP), Sam Kornhauser (analyst), Matt Levine (sideline)
Radio/Online Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: Towson leads 5-3
 
STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The Towson University football team's final road game of the regular season will be a trip to Long Island as the Tigers take on Stony Brook on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m.
 
This contest will be broadcast online on FloSports.  Visit https://flosports.link/3PiZj24 to view the full Colonial Athletic Association schedule and sign up today.  Jonny Wincott, Sam Kornhauser and Matt Levine will have the call from LaValle Stadium. In addition, the radio call will be on towsontigers.com, with Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs on the call.
 
Towson dominated CAA preseason favorite Villanova 27-3 at home last Saturday for its second straight victory, standing 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the CAA.  Stony Brook is also coming off a home win, a 24-22 victory vs. Morgan State, to be 2-7 overall and 1-5 in the CAA.
 
Since Stony Brook joined the CAA in 2013, the two programs have played eight times.  Towson leads the all-time series 5-3, riding a three-game winning streak.  On Oct. 9, 2021, Towson defeated Stony Brook 21-14 at Unitas.
 
This game features two of the three longest tenures coaches in the CAA.  Stony Brook's Chuck Priore is in his 17th season while Towson's Rob Ambrose is coaching his 13th season.
 
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.
 
Woods has started all nine games this season for the Tigers, standing first on the team with 68 tackles, adding 1.5 sacks, an interception and three pass-breakups. 
 
HUNTER, PERKINS EARN CAA WEEKLY HONORS
Leading Towson to a 27-3 win over Villanova, D'Ago Hunter was the CAA Special Teams Player of the Week with a 77-yard punt return TD and 60-yard kickoff return while Isaiah Perkins was the CAA Rookie of the Week, making four catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns.
 
HUNTER - NATIONAL FCS SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
With a 334 all-purpose yard performance at Monmouth on Oct. 29, D'Ago Hunter was honored as the Fedex Ground FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week.  Hunter earned a 92-yard kickoff return touchdown as well as a 74-yard punt return.
 
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 (11) -
Juwan Burgess (Indiana)                    Tyrrell Pigrome (WKU)
Mason Cholewa (UCF)                       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)
Janaz Jordan (Colorado)
 
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 fourth in FCS and first in the CAA with 45 yards per punt, totaling 1,619 yards on 36 punts.
 
Williams has 14 punts of 50 yards or further and 13 punts placed inside the 20-yard line.
 
LINE UP THE LINEBACKERS
Two linebackers are tied for the team-lead in tackles: Playing his first season, Mason Woods also has 68, adding three pass break-ups. Ryan Kearney has 63, after having 27 in 2021, plus four pass-breakups.
 
LAST GAME (TOWSON 27, VILLANOVA 3)
(11/6/2022 - TOWSON, MD.):
Towson had one of its best defensive efforts ever in a CAA contest, taking down league preseason favorite Villanova 27-3 at Johnny Unitas® Stadium.
Important Stat:
Towson - Held Villanova to 153 total offensive yards
Villanova - Allowed one touchdown in first three quarters
Top Passer:
Towson - Tyrrell Pigrome: 11-21, 125 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Villanova - Connor Watkins: 7-21, 68 yards, 1 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Joachim Bangda: 17 rush, 107 yards
Villanova - TD Ayo-Durojalye: 17 rush, 49 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Isaiah Perkins: 4 catches, 60 yards
Villanova - Rayjuon Pringle: 4 catches, 45 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Makye Smith (LB): 6 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QBH
Villanova - Brendan Bell (LB): 10 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 BrUp
 
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): 37 tackles
    --Vinnie Shaffer (Saint Anselm): 30 tackles
    --Bryce Lauer (not a transfer): 25 tackles
    Also on the line rotation includes Tramar Reece (Indiana), 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.) - 419 rec. yards
    Isaiah Perkins (not a transfer) - 268 rec. yards
    Darian Street (Pittsburgh) - 178 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 47 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 STONY BROOK:
Stony Brook has won each of its games at home on fourth quarter comebacks.
 
Stony Brook plays two quarterbacks in freshman standing: Charlie McKee throws 60% for 806 yards, six TDs and seven INTs while Daron Bryden passes 46.9%, having 587 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions.  Eastern Michigan grad transfer defensive back Carthell Flowers-Lloyd leads the defense with 12 tackles for loss among 53 total tackles.
 
LAST GAME (TOWSON 21, STONY BROOK 14)
(10/9/2021, TOWSON, MD.):
Towson scored touchdowns in the first three quarters and held off a final fourth quarter drive to earn a 21-14 victory over Stony Brook.
Important Stat:
Towson - Scored a touchdown in each of three quarters
SBU - Had 363 yards of total offense to Towson's 293
Top Passer:
Towson - Chris Ferguson: 22-31, 177 yards, 2 TD
SBU - Tyquell Fields: 20-33, 220 yards
Top Rusher:
Towson - Devin Matthews: 13 rush, 61 yards, 1 TD
SBU - Ty'Son Lawton: 19 rush, 119 yards, 2 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Jabari Allen: 5 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD
SBU - Shawn Harris Jr.: 8 catches, 109 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Christian Dixon (LB): 7 tackles, 1 FF
SBU - Tyler King (LB): 11 tackles, 1 BrUp
 
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. STONY BROOK:
--Oct. 17, 2015 (Stony Brook, N.Y. - Towson 21-14):
Following SBU missing a 24-yard field goal, Towson drove down 80 yards in nine plays, capped with Darius Victor's second rushing touchdown with 50 seconds left, to take its first lead of the game and win 21-14 after being down 14-0 in the first quarter. Victor finished with 73 yards and two touchdowns.
 
--Oct. 8, 2016 (Towson, Md. - Stony Brook 27-20):
Towson's 17-0 first half run did not hold up as Stony Brook outscored the Tigers 20-3 in the second half to win 27-20. Ellis Knudson completed 20-of-33 passes for 250 yards and two scores while Stony Brook's Stacey Bedell ran for 125 yards and two scores.
 
--Oct. 6, 2018 (Towson, Md. - Towson 52-28)
In the first matchup between ranked opponents at Unitas since 2013, #23 Towson scored five first half touchdowns en route to a 52-28 defeat of #13 Stony Brook, Towson's second win over a top-15 opponent in its last three games. Tom Flacco was 23-for-33 in the air for 319 yards and four touchdowns, finding Shane Leatherbury nine times for 129 yards.
 
STAN EISENHOOTH ENTERS 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 was 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.