The Game: Towson (2-2, 0-1 CAA) @ No. 6 Delaware (4-0, 2-0 CAA)
When: Sat., Oct. 1, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Delaware Stadium – Newark, Del.
Linear Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Online Broadcast: FloSports ($)
----Broadcasters: Andrew Bogusch (PxP), Qadry Ismail (analyst)
Radio/Online Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (analyst)
Series: Delaware leads 12-9 (Towson has won last one)
 
TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University football team will play its first two road CAA games of the season beginning on Saturday, Oct. 1, taking on rival Delaware in Newark.
 
The game will be broadcast online on FloSports as well as on linear television on NBC Sports Philadelphia; check your local listings for information.  Andrew Bogusch and Qadry Ismail will have the call live from Delaware 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 3:30 p.m.  Join your fellow Tiger fans as Towson takes on Delaware.
 
Towson has fallen in its last two games, including a 37-14 defeat in last week's CAA opener vs. New Hampshire, to stand at 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the league.  Delaware, ranked #6 in each the STATS FCS and AFCA Coaches Polls, have won their first four games, coming off a 35-3 home win over Hampton to be 2-0 in the CAA.
 
This is the 22nd meeting between Towson and Delaware and the first since Nov. 2, 2019, a 31-24 home victory for the Tigers.  The team played every season from 2004 to 2019.  Delaware leads the all-time series 12-9.
 
This is the first of three CAA road games Towson will play in the month of October.  Towson's lone home game in October will be on Saturday, Oct. 22 vs. William & Mary.
 
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)
 
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 (NEW HAMPSHIRE 37, TOWSON 14)
(9/24/2022 - TOWSON, MD.):
Towson scored 14 points in the third quarter in a comeback attempt but fell to New Hampshire 37-14 in the 2022 CAA opener.
Important Stat:
Towson - Scored both touchdowns in third quarter
UNH - Dylan Laube - 250 all-purpose yards, including 92-yard TD punt return
Top Passer:
Towson - Tyrrell Pigrome: 14-28, 142 yards, 1 TD
UNH - Max Brosmer: 17-23, 194 yards, 3 TD
Top Rusher:
Towson - Devin Matthews: 4 rush, 41 yards, 1 TD
UNH - Dylan Laube: 23 rush, 114 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Da'Kendall James: 3 catches, 52 yards
UNH - Joey Corcoran: 6 catches, 71 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Ryan Kearney (LB): 11 tackles
UNH - Dylan Ruiz (DE): 4 tackles, 3 sacks
 
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): 16 tackles
    --Bryce Lauer (not a transfer): 14 tackles
    --Jesus Gibbs (South Carolina): 13 tackles
    --Tramar Reece (Indiana): 12 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.) - 181 rec. yards
    --Isaiah Perkins (not a transfer) - 132 rec. yards
    --Darian Street (Pittsburgh) - 64 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 DELAWARE:
Delaware, predicted to finish second in the CAA this season, is under the leadership of first-year head coach Ryan Carty.
 
Delaware is the CAA leader in scoring defense, allowing just 40 total points through four games.  Graduate student linebacker Johnny Buchanan leads the CAA with 48 tackles, averaging 12 a game.  Another graduate student, Nolan Henderson, leads the league with 14 passing touchdowns, having 1,089 passing yards and three interceptions.
 
LAST GAME (#21/22 TOWSON 31, DELAWARE 24)
(11/2/2019, TOWSON, MD.):
Led by 200 yards receiving by Caleb Smith and three rushing TDs from Yeedee Thaenrat, Towson scored a TD with 4:54 left to win 31-24 over rival Delaware.
Important Stat:
Towson - First 200+ yard receiver since 2016
Delaware - Forced three turnovers (+2 turnover margin)
Top Passer:
Towson - Tom Flacco: 17-23, 294 yards, 1 TD
Delaware - Nolan Richardson: 13-24, 240 yards, 1 TD
Top Rusher:
Towson - Yeedee Thaenrat: 16 rush, 70 yards, 3 TD
Delaware - Will Knight: 15 rush, 96 yards, 1 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Caleb Smith: 9 catches, 200 yards, 1 TD
Delaware - Thyrick Pitts: 4 catches, 88 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Robert Heyward (LB): 7 tackles, 2 sacks, 3.0 TFL
Delaware - Nijuel Hill (LB): 6 tackles, 2 FR
 
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. DELAWARE:
--Nov. 6, 1993 - Towson 32, Delaware 30 (Newark, Del.):
On fourth down and goal from the one-yard line with 10 seconds left, Tony Vinson burst into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown, giving Towson a 32-30 comeback win over #14 Delaware on the road.  That was Vinson's fourth touchdown of the game.
 
--Oct. 1, 2005 - Towson 35, Delaware 31 (Towson, Md.):
Towson's first-ever Atlantic-10 victory came in dramatic fashion as Nick Williams scored a touchdown on a three-yard run off a 69-yard final drive to defeat #5 Delaware 35-31 in front of a Homecoming crowd of 10,778, to date the third-largest crowd in Unitas Stadium history.
 
--Oct. 28, 2017 - Towson 18, Delaware 17 (Towson, Md.):
A Sam Gallahan 14-yard touchdown catch from Ryan Stover with 35 seconds left sent Towson to an 18-17 upset victory over #23 Delaware.  Towson came back from down 14-3 late in the third quarter.
 
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.