The Game: Towson (1-0, 0-0 CAA) vs. Morgan State (0-1, 0-0 MEAC)
When: Sat., Sept. 10, 7 p.m.
Where: Johnny Unitas® Stadium
Linear Broadcast: Maryland Public Television (see local listings)
Online Broadcast: FloSports ($)
Radio/Online Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: Towson leads 20-6
 
TOWSON, Md. – For the first time since 2017, the Battle for Greater Baltimore will be held at Johnny Unitas® Stadium as the Towson University football team hosts Morgan State on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.
 
Tickets are available for the game and several deals are available 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.
--Family 4-Pack for the game: $35
--$99 season tickets flash sale – until Sept. 9
 
This is the first game of a new year of Towson home football games.  Attendees at Unitas will enjoy the new Tiger Town tailgate area, beer sales at Unitas and much, much more.
 
The game will be televised on Maryland Public Television, available across Maryland as well as in areas of neighboring states.  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.
 
Each team played its season opener on the road last week.  CAA representative Towson earned a 14-13 overtime victory at Bucknell while Morgan State, from the MEAC, fell at FBS opponent Georgia Southern 59-7.
 
This is the 27th meeting between the Baltimore based rivals.  Towson has won the last four and leads the all-time series 20-6, including a 31-0 victory on Sept. 3 in Baltimore.  This is the first meeting in Towson since Sept. 2, 2017, a 10-0 victory by the Tigers.  The teams are separated by five miles, the closest pair of teams in all of FCS play.
 
This is Towson's home opener for the 2022 campaign.  The Tigers have won five of their last six home openers, with the exception being last year's 35-7 defeat to eventual FCS champion North Dakota State on Sept. 18.
 
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.
 
LAST GAME (TOWSON 14, BUCKNELL 13 (OT))
(9/3/2022 - LEWISBURG, PA.):
Towson rode a pair of rushing touchdowns from Devin Matthews to win a 14-13 overtime thriller in the season opener at Bucknell.
Important Stat:
Towson - Had 94 offensive plays for 383 yards
Bucknell - Scored touchdowns on both red zone chances
Top Passer:
Towson - Tyrrell Pigrome: 21-36, 195 yards, 1 INT
Bucknell - Ethan Grady: 12-31, 158 yards, 2 TD
Top Rusher:
Towson - Devin Matthews: 26 rush, 112 yards, 2 TD
Bucknell - Rushawn Baker: 15 rush, 95 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Isaiah Perkins: 6 catches, 81 yards
Bucknell - Coleman Bennett: 2 catches, 52 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Ubayd Steed (S): 7 tackles, 1 BrUp
Bucknell - Brent Jackson (S): 12 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 BrUp
 
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 MORGAN STATE:
Morgan State is under the leadership of Damon Wilson, the three-time CIAA Coach of the Year while at Bowie State.
 
Baltimore's own Alfonzo Graham leads the running game, averaging 7.6 yards a carry for 106 yards thus far.  A grad transfer from WKU, Carson Baker went 10-for-21 for 78 yards and an interception in his first game.  Linebacker Erick Hunter finished with nine tackles to lead the Bears vs. Georgia Southern.
 
LAST GAME (TOWSON 31, MORGAN STATE 0)
(9/4/2021, BALTIMORE, MD.):
Towson's first game in 93 weeks was the first shutout since 2017 as the Tigers defeated crosstown rival Morgan State 31-0.
Important Stat:
Towson - Scored a touchdown in all four quarters
Morgan St. - Used three different quarterbacks
Top Passer:
Towson - Chris Ferguson: 19-31, 247 yards, 2 TD
Morgan St. - Duce Taylor: 3-9, 68 yards
Top Rusher:
Towson - Jerry Howard Jr.: 7 rush, 45 yards
Morgan St. - Janus Grissom: 5 rush, 35 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Darian Street: 2 catches, 91 yards, TD
Morgan St. - Marcus Thomas: 3 catches, 42 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Bryce Lauer (LB): 2 tkls., 1 sack, 1 FF
Morgan St. - Kalen Jennings (LB): 6 tkls., 1 sack
 
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. MORGAN STATE
--Sept. 29, 2001 (Baltimore, Md.):
Morgan State took the lead with a touchdown with 5:16 left, then a seven-play, 93-yard drive ended on a Noah Read TD to push Towson ahead 17-14. Morgan State forced overtime with a last second field goal. Ed Kulic hit an 18- yard field goal to give Towson the lead; a Morgan State fumble ended its OT chance as Towson took a 20-17 overtime victory.
 
--Sept. 1, 2005 (Towson, Md.):
Down 26-13 late in the third quarter, Towson rallied with 16 unanswered points, with Ron Halbruner's 29-yard field goal with one second left to give Towson the 29-26 victory. In his first-ever collegiate game, Sean Schaefer (Hall of Fame Class of 2021) threw for 344 yards while Nick Williams rushed for 141 yards.
 
--Sept. 2, 2017 (Towson, Md.):
The revival of the Battle for Greater Baltimore series at Towson saw a defensive battle at Unitas, with the Tigers taking a 10-0 victory. All points came in the second quarter. The Towson defense forced four turnovers and held Morgan State from scoring on three red zone appearances.
 
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.