The Game: Towson (0-0, 0-0 CAA) at Bucknell (0-0, 0-0 Patriot League)
When: Sat., Sept. 3, 6 p.m.
Where: Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium – Lewisburg, Pa.
Online Broadcast: ESPN+ ($)
----Broadcasters: Doug Birdsong (PxP), Kevin Herr (Color)
Radio/Online Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: Towson leads 9-8
 
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Towson University football team will begin the 2022 season against a former conference foe, taking on Bucknell in Lewisburg, Pa. on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m.
 
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with Doug Birdsong and Kevin Herr on the call.  In addition, Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs will have the radio call on Towsontigers.com.
 
For those looking to attend the game, fans can purchase tickets at https://bucknell.universitytickets.com/.
 
Towson and Bucknell formerly were conference opponents in the Patriot League from 1997-2003.  In a series which began in 1982, the Tigers and Bison played every year from 1992-2003.  Towson leads the all-time series 9-8, with the Tigers winning at home 56-7 on Oct. 19, 2019 in the last meeting.  The previous meeting to 2019 was in Lewisburg, Pa. in 2003.
 
Each team is playing its season opener.  Towson is coming off a 2021 season having gone 4-7 overall and 3-5 in the CAA while Bucknell was 1-10 overall and 0-6 in the Patriot League last season.
 
Towson has won its last four season openers, including a 31-0 road victory over rival Morgan State to begin 2021.  In addition, Towson has won its first game against an FCS opponent each season since 2015.
 
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 (11) -
Juwan Burgess (Indiana)        Tyrrell Pigrome (WKU)
Mason Cholewa (UCF)           Tramar Reece (Indiana)
Damir Faison (Kent St.)          Josh Roberts (Lafayette)
Shaheem Haltiwanger (SCSU)           Julian Singh (LIU)
Da'Kendall James (Norfolk St.)          Makye Smith (Stony Brook)
Tyler Johnston III (UAB)
 
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.  Three former Towson players currently compete for the Edmonton Elks: Malik Tyne, Tibo Debaillie and Andrew Garnett.
 
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): Edmonton Elks, CFL
--Andrew Garnett (OL): Edmonton Elks, CFL
--Shane Simpson (RB): Winnipeg Blue Bombers (signee)
 
PLAYING MORGAN STATE ON MPT
Towson's home game against rival Morgan State will be broadcast on Maryland Public Television, the only statewide broadcast network in Maryland.  MPT also can be seen in portions of Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
 
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
 
A DIFFERENT LOOKING DEFENSE.....
Towson will have a different look on the defensive end, needing to replace its five leading tacklers from the 2021 campaign.
 
Team captain Vinnie Shaffer leads all returners in tackles with 38 last season, as well as a team-leading four sacks on the defensive line, followed by 30 by cornerback Charles Peeples.
 
.....AND A DIFFERENT LOOKING OFFENSE
The Tigers need to replace their starting quarterback, running back and tight end plus four offensive linemen from 2021.
 
Team captain Cole Cheripko at center is the lone starting lineman from last season.
 
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 BUCKNELL:
Bucknell has been predicted to finish seventh in the Patriot League preseason coaches poll.
 
Bucknell primarily shifted between two quarterbacks last year: junior Nick Semptimphelter had 611 yards, three TDs and four INTs while sophomore Ethan Grady had 570 yards, three TDs and eight INTs.  Senior Brent Jackson was the leading tackler on the Bison defensive line, having 76 tackles, including 1.5 for loss.
 
LAST TIME VS. BUCKNELL (TOWSON 56, BUCKNELL 7)
(10/19/19 - TOWSON, MD.):
#18/20 Towson scored touchdowns on six of its first seven drives, and eight of its first 11, to defeat Bucknell 56-7 on Homecoming.
Important Stat:
Towson - Earned 560 yards of total offense to Bucknell's 161
Bucknell - QB, Bitikofer, surpassed 1,000 passing yards in '19
Top Passer:
Towson - Tom Flacco: 16-22, 203 yards, 6 TD
Bucknell - Logan Bitikofer: 10-20, 100 yards
Top Rusher:
Towson - Yeedee Thaenrat: 8 rush, 112 yards
Bucknell - Jared Coope: 9 rush, 10 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Shane Leatherbury: 6 catches, 84 yards, 5 TD
Bucknell - Brandon Sanders: 5 catches, 37 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Keon Paye (LB): 5 tackles, 1 QBH
Bucknell - Conner Romango (DB): 10 tackles, 2 BrUp
 
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. BUCKNELL
--Sept. 19, 1992 (Towson, Md. - Towson 24-21):
Future Towson Hall of Famer Tony Vinson ran for 140 yards, off 26 carries, in a 24-21 comeback victory over Bucknell, the first victory for the Tigers under head coach Gordy Combs.  Vinson scored the game-winning touchdown on a 25-yard run with 7:27 remaining.
 
--Nov. 13, 1993 (Towson, Md. - Towson 49-21):
Vinson's final home game saw him run for a then NCAA I-AA record 364 yards, scoring four touchdowns, including two for 80 yards each, in a 49-21 victory at Bucknell.  364 yards is currently fifth in FCS history for most rushing yards in a game.
 
--Nov. 11, 2000 (Towson, Md. - Towson 15-13)
Towson recovered from a 10-point first quarter deficit and won on a final minute drive, with a Dennis Cliggett 20-yard punt return, three Val Troiani pass completions and a 35-yard field goal against the wind by Ed Kulic with 11 seconds left giving the Tigers the 15-13 win.  The Towson defense combined for seven sacks in that game.
 
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 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.