The Game: Towson (5-5, 3-4 CAA) vs. Hampton (4-6, 1-6 CAA)
When: Sat., Nov. 19, 1 p.m.
Where: Johnny Unitas® Stadium – Towson, Md.
Online Broadcast: FloSports ($)
Radio/Online Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: First Meeting
 
TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University football team will be honoring its 2022 senior class on Saturday, Nov. 19, hosting CAA newcomer Hampton for a 1 p.m. game at Unitas.
 
Tickets are available for the game through the Towson Athletics Ticket Office.  For more information, interested parties can visit www.towsontigers.com, call 1-855-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 won three straight games, coming off a 21-17 comeback victory at Stony Brook on Saturday, to be 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the CAA.  Hampton is trying to snap a four-game losing streak, falling to Elon at home 38-24 last Saturday to be 4-6 overall and 1-6 in the league.
 
This will be the first-ever meeting between Towson and Hampton.  This is Towson's second game against a CAA newcomer, having defeated Monmouth 52-48 on Oct. 29 in New Jersey.
 
Before the game, Towson will be honoring members of the 2022 senior class in a pregame ceremony.
 
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 10 games this season for the Tigers, standing first on the team with 75 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 44.8 yards per punt, totaling 1,619 yards on 36 punts.
 
Williams has 16 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 has 75, adding three pass break-ups. Ryan Kearney has 65, after having 27 in 2021, plus four pass-breakups.
 
LAST GAME (TOWSON 21, STONY BROOK 17)
(11/12/2022 - STONY BROOK, N.Y.):
Towson came back with a touchdown in its final drive to win 21-17 at Stony Brook for its third straight victory.
Important Stat:
Towson - First fourth quarter comeback victory since Aug. 2019
Stony Brook - Averaged 15.2 yards per pass completion
Top Passer:
Towson - Tyrrell Pigrome: 22-40, 255 yards, 2 TD
Stony Brook - Daron Bryden: 18-35, 273 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - D'Ago Hunter: 10 rush, 63 yards
Stony Brook - Ross Tallarico: 21 rush, 76 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Da'Kendall James: 7 catches, 87 yards
Stony Brook - Shawn Harris Jr.: 6 catches, 135 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Robert Javier (DB): 8 tackles, 2 BrUp
Stony Brook - Aidan Kaler (LB): 12 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack
 
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): 41 tackles
    --Vinnie Shaffer (Saint Anselm): 33 tackles
    --Bryce Lauer (not a transfer): 28 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.) - 506 rec. yards
    Isaiah Perkins (not a transfer) - 328 rec. yards
    Darian Street (Pittsburgh) - 256 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 HAMPTON:
If Hampton wins on Saturday, the Pirates will have earned their seventh straight season with at least five wins. 
 
Junior quarterback Malcolm Mays throws 56.1% for 1,455 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, finding senior Jadakis Bonds 44 times for 787 yards and nine touchdowns.  Hampton ranks sixth in the league in scoring defense with 27.1 points allowed a game.  Graduate student linebacker Qwahsin Townsel is second in the league in total tackles with 93, including four for loss.
 
GO D'AGO GO
D'Ago Hunter has been a force on special teams this season, having three touchdowns on returns, including two on kickoffs and one on a punt.
 
In his career, Hunter has three kickoff returns for touchdowns, one shy of the Towson record of four held by Derrick Joseph from 2011-14.  Hunter has four career special teams touchdowns, with his other being a 92-yard touchdown return vs. Bucknell on Oct. 19, 2019.
 
In his career, Hunter has 2,006 kickoff return yards with the Tigers, including 639 this year.  The program record is 2,177 yards by Julian Blair from 1990-92.
 
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.