The Game: Towson (3-5, 1-4 CAA) vs. RV/RV Villanova (5-3, 3-2 CAA)
When: Sat., Nov. 5, 2 p.m.
Where: Johnny Unitas® Stadium – Towson, Md.
Online Broadcast: FloSports ($)
Radio/Online Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: Villanova leads 11-5
TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University football team begins the month of November with a 2 p.m. home contest vs. Villanova on Saturday, Nov. 5 for the annual Military Appreciation Game.
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 is coming off its best offensive performance since 2019, winning at Monmouth 52-48 on Saturday to be 3-5 overall and 1-4 in the CAA. Villanova has won its last two, the previous a 24-10 home win vs. Hampton on Saturday, to enter at 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the CAA. Villanova is receiving votes in each the STATS FCS and AFCA Coaches polls.
These two last played in a thriller on Sept. 21, 2019 at Unitas, with #18 Villanova winning 52-45 in overtime vs. #5 Towson. Villanova leads the all-time series 11-5.
Towson has three regular season games left, including two at home: vs. Villanova on Nov. 5 and vs. Hampton on Nov. 19.
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 eight games this season for the Tigers, standing first on the team with 62 tackles, adding 1.5 sacks, an interception and three pass-breakups.
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 44.9 yards per punt, totaling 1,242 yards on 28 punts.
Williams has 13 punts of 50 yards or further and 12 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 62, adding three pass break-ups. Ryan Kearney has 59, after having 27 in 2021, plus four pass-breakups.
LAST GAME (TOWSON 52, MONMOUTH 48)
(10/29/2022 - WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.):
Towson earned its best offensive performance since 2019 and best in a road game since 2012 to earn a 52-48 victory at Monmouth on Saturday afternoon.
Important Stat:
Towson - D'Ago Hunter with 334 all-purpose yards, 92-yard kick return TD
Monmouth - Had five touchdowns of 20+ yards
Top Passer:
Towson - Tyrrell Pigrome: 20-25, 216 yards, 1 TD
Monmouth - Enzo Arjona: 18-25, 213 yards, 3 TD
Top Rusher:
Towson - Devin Matthews: 15 rush, 112 yards, 1 TD
Monmouth - Jaden Shirden: 19 rush, 211 yards, 3 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Da'Kendall James: 5 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD
Monmouth - Dymere Miller: 8 catches, 99 yards, 2 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Mason Woods (LB): 8 tackles, 2 TFL, 0.5 sack
Monmouth - Da'Quan Grimes (LB): 13 tackles, 1 TFL
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): 33 tackles
--Vinnie Shaffer (Saint Anselm): 29 tackles
--Bryce Lauer (not a transfer): 23 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.) - 385 rec. yards
Isaiah Perkins (not a transfer) - 208 rec. yards
Darian Street (Pittsburgh) - 165 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 VILLANOVA:
After earning a share of the CAA regular season title last year, Villanova was predicted to finish first in the CAA in the league preseason coaches poll.
Villanova is third in the CAA with 216.9 rushing yards a game, led by senior TD Ayo-Durojalye with 5.9 yards a carry, having 605 yards and two scores. Junior quarterback Connor Watkins has amassed 1,661 passing yards, 338 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns. The defense allows 26.9 points per game: sophomore Kshawn Schulters lines up in the secondary with 29 tackles and six pass breakups.
LAST GAME (#18 VILLANOVA 52, #5 TOWSON 45 (OT))
(9/21/2019, 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 pick six (49 yds.)
Villanova - Drew Wiley (DB): 5 tkls., 1.5 TFL, 3 BrUp
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. VILLANOVA:
--Sept. 10, 2011 (Towson, Md. - Towson 31-10):
Towson won its first home CAA game under coach
Rob Ambrose with a 31-10 victory over #20 Villanova, shutting out the Wildcats in the first half with a 14-0 advantage and not trailing the rest of the way. It was Towson's first win against a ranked opponent since 2007.
--Oct. 27, 2012 (Villanova, Pa. - Towson 49-35):
Towson earned a game with 590 yards of total offense, breaking away in the third quarter to win 49-35 over Villanova, at the time tied for first place in the CAA. The Tigers had 321 rushing yards, including 144 yards and two touchdowns from Terrance West.
--Sept. 15, 2018 (Villanova, Md. - Towson 45-35)
Towson came back from down 14 early with 35 consecutive points for a 45-35 victory at #10 Villanova, its first win over a top-10 opponent since 2013. Tom Flacco had a second-straight 300+ yard passing game. After this win, Towson will be ranked for the first time since 2014 and will remain ranked the rest of the year.
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.
