The Game: Towson (2-3, 1-1 CAA) vs. RV/RV UAlbany (3-2, 1-0 CAA)
When: Sat., Oct. 7 – 4 p.m.
Where: Johnny Unitas® Stadium – Towson, Md.
Promotion: Homecoming
--First 1,000 fans will get a co-branded Towson beanie, courtesy of Donovan Water Works
Online Broadcast: FloFootball ($)
Audio Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: Towson leads 5-3
 
TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University football team is back at Unitas after a big road victory over a top-15 team, hosting UAlbany for Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 4 p.m.
 
Season and single-game tickets for Towson football home games are available by visiting https://am.ticketmaster.com/towson/. For any questions regarding tickets for Towson events, call the Towson Athletics ticket office at 410-704-4501 or email dkogok@towson.edu.
 
The first 1,000 fans to the game will receive a co-branded Towson beanie, courtesy of Donovan Water Works.
 
Fans attending the game are encouraged to check out the Goh Zone near Gate D, Lot 4, to enjoy live entertainment, food trucks and game, presented by Baltimore County Tourism and The Loop.  Attendees can also check out the Family Fun Zone with inflatables, the east area hospitality area, reduced-priced concession items and much more.
 
The game will be available on the exclusive streaming home of the CAA, FloSports, as well as a radio feed on Towsontigers.com.  Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs will have the call live from Johnny Unitas® Stadium.
 
Towson took down then-No. 14/17 New Hampshire 54-51 in overtime on Saturday, its second straight road win, to be 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the CAA.  UAlbany, back in Baltimore for the second time in three games, defeated then-No. 16/23 Villanova 31-10 at home for its second straight win, entering Saturday at 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the league.
 
This will be the ninth all-time meeting between Towson and UAlbany and third straight meeting at Unitas.  Towson defeated UAlbany 38-24 on Oct. 30, 2021 to lead the all-time series 5-3, while UAlbany won 38-21 on Oct. 12, 2019.
 
Towson will be entering its bye week after this contest, followed by five games in as many weeks against CAA competition.
 
A NEW ERA OF TOWSON FOOTBALL BEGINS IN 2023
It is a new year for Towson as the Tigers are set for their 54th season.  It is also the first season for new head coach Pete Shinnick.
 
It is a new look Towson team with 44 new players joining in their first year with Towson, including 28 transfers and 16 true freshmen or first-year players.  The offense returns six starters while the defense returns five.
 
GIBBS NAMED TO SHRINE BOWL 1000, REESE'S SENIOR BOWL WATCHLIST
Jesus Gibbs was selected to the 2024 Shrine Bowl 1000, being named one of the top NFL draft eligible college players in the country.  The 1,000 players, selected by NFL scouts and college personnel, are in contention to play in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl in Texas. He was also selected to the Reese's Senior Bowl Watchlist for the second consecutive year.
 
In 29 games in his Towson career since transferring in from South Carolina, Gibbs stands with 91 total tackles, 20.0 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.  Gibbs will look to be the second Towson player in the Shrine Bowl, with Tye Smith being the first in 2015.
 
HUNTER HONORED AS STATS PERFORM PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
D'Ago Hunter was recognized as a 2023 STATS Perform Preseason All-American Third Team as a punt returner.
 
Last season, Hunter became Towson's first All-American was 2018, amassing 1,207 all-purpose yards off 639 kickoff yards, 195 punt return yards, 262 rushing yards and 111 receiving yards, adding three special teams touchdowns of at least 74 yards each.
 
In 2022, Hunter was third in FCS in yards per punt return (16.2) and fourth in FCS in combined kick return yardage (834).
 
THREE TIGERS RECOGNIZED IN 2023 CAA PRESEASON AWARDS
Three Tigers were recognized on the CAA preseason awards: D'Ago Hunter earned 2023 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team at kick returner while Jesus Gibbs and Robert Javier were preseason all-conference honorable mention.
 
JAVIER NAMED FCS NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORABLE MENTION
With a stellar performance in the Towson secondary against Morgan State on Sept. 16, Robert Javier was selected as an FCS National Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention.
 
Javier earned his first-ever two-interception game, also breaking up four passes and making three tackles.  His seven passes defended is currently the most in the CAA.
 
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 defeated Morgan State 20-10 in Baltimore on Sept. 16  Towson leads the all-time series 22-6, winning the last six.
 
21 GRADUATES SUITING UP FOR TOWSON
Several Tigers are playing as college graduates. Towson has 21 total graduate players.
Towson graduates (10) -
Matthew Akuchie        Malik Jackson
Alex Desire                 Robert Javier
Jamal Gay                   Charles Peeples
Jesus Gibbs                Frank Stettner
D'Ago Hunter              Daniel Thompson
           
Graduates of other schools (11) -
Antonio Howard (Northern Michigan)
Kamari Jackson (Delaware State)
Da'Kendall James (Norfolk State)
Daviyon Johnson (Monmouth)
Mike Police (West Florida)
Jabari Reddock (Stony Brook)
Justin Ritter (James Madison)
Josh Roberts (Lafayette)
Makye Smith (Stony Brook)
Justin Toler (Norfolk State)
Tylen Wallace (Missouri Western State)
 
TOWSON PICKED NINTH IN CAA PRESEASON POLL
The Tigers were predicted to finish ninth in the league in the preseason coaches poll.  Towson received 85 points in the poll.  2022 CAA co-champions William & Mary and New Hampshire ranked first and second in the poll with 195 and 179 votes respectively.
 
2023 CAA Football Predicted Order of Finish (first-place votes)
1. William & Mary (13), 195
2. New Hampshire (1), 179
3. Richmond, 159
4. Delaware (1), 149
5. Elon, 146
6. Rhode Island, 135
7. Villanova, 129
8. Monmouth, 94
9. Towson, 85
10. North Carolina A&T, 70
11. UAlbany, 64
12. Campbell, 62
13. Maine, 40
14. Stony Brook, 38
15. Hampton, 30
 
TIGERS IN THE PROS
Towson made its mark in the Canadian Football League, with four former Towson players being part of CFL rosters in week one.  Three players have competed in multiple games this season: Tibo Debaillie, Andrew Garnett and Tyrrell Pigrome.
 
In 2022, Darius Victor was the Offensive Player of the Year in the reformed United States Football League (USFL).  He returned to the New Jersey Generals in 2023, finishing third in the league with 554 rushing yards, adding seven combined touchdowns.
 
Two more Towson players played in the XFL in 2023, including Tye Smith, who played five seasons in the National Football League.
 
Tigers in the Pros – 2023
Canadian Football League
--Tibo Debaillie, DL: BC Lions
--Andrew Garnett, OL: Edmonton Elks
--Tyrrell Pigrome, QB: Ottawa Redblacks
--Roman Wahrheit, OL: Ottawa Redblacks (practice squad)
 
Indoor Football League
--Shane Simpson, RB: Quad City Steamwheelers
--Caleb Smith, WR: Iowa Barnstormers
 
United States Football League
--Darius Victor, RB: New Jersey Generals
 
XFL
--Elorm Lumor, DL: St. Louis Battlehawks
--Tye Smith, DB: Orlando Guardians
 
JAVIER NAMED FCS NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORABLE MENTION
With a stellar performance in the Towson secondary against Morgan State on Sept. 16, Robert Javier was selected as an FCS National Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention.
 
Javier earned his first-ever two-interception game, also breaking up four passes and making three tackles.  His seven passes defended are currently second-most in the CAA.
 
QUARTERBACK COMPETITION.....
With Tyrrell Pigrome finishing his collegiate career last season, the Tigers had a quarterback position battle with several competitors.           (numerical order below)
 
#9 Sean Brown, R-Jr.
Spent last three years at Liberty University
#14 Zack Jackson, R-So.
University of Maryland transfer after 2021 redshirt season
#15 Nathan Kent, R-Jr.
Played in four career games from 2021-22
#16 Scott Smith III, R-So.
Starting quarterback in 2022 season opener
#18 Jack Pellicciotti, Fr.
Led MPSSAA in passing yards last two years of high school
 
EXPERIENCED WR CORPS
Towson has strong, returning depth on the WR unit, with six of the top seven wide receivers in receiving yards in 2022 returning this season.
 
Wide Receivers (in order of leaders of receiving yards)

Name	Seasons/Games	Career Stats (TU)
Da'Kendall James	2022-pres. | 15 games	64 rec., 725 yds., 5 TD
Zay Perkins	2022-pres. | 15 games	41 rec., 465 yds., 7 TD
Brady McElhaney	2021-pres. | 26 games	18 rec., 148 yds.
Daniel Thompson IV	2019-pres. | 33 games	38 rec., 529 yds., 3 TD
Lukkas Londono	2021-pres. | 17 games	23 rec., 236 yds., 1 TD
Sam Reynolds	2022-pres. | 11 games	11 rec., 51 yds.

 
PETE SHINNICK - NEW TOWSON HEAD COACH
On Dec. 11, 2022, Pete Shinnick was announced as the new head coach of Towson football.  He becomes the fifth coach in program history.
 
Shinnick comes to Towson after starting the program at West Florida, leading the Argonauts to the 2019 NCAA DII national title and the 2017 NCAA DII title game.  Including going 56-21 in six seasons at West Florida from 2016-22 (no season in 2020 COVID year), Shinnick has a career record of 161-70, including being the head coach at UNC Pembroke and Azusa Pacific.
 
Shinnick takes over for Rob Ambrose, who served as Towson's head coach from 2009-22.  Towson has had five head coaches in program history: Carl Runk (1969-71), Phil Albert (1972-91), Gordy Combs (1992-2008), Ambrose (2009-22) and Pete Shinnick (2023-pres.).
 
LAST GAME (TOWSON 54, #14/17 NEW HAMPSHIRE 51 (OT))
(9/30/2023 - DURHAM, N.H.):
Towson's 90-yard touchdown drive with less two minutes left forced overtime, where the Tigers had a walk-off touchdown to win 54-51 at New Hampshire.
Important Stat:
Towson - Had 309 rushing yards, including two players with 116 rushing yards
UNH - 11-for-16 on third down conversion attempts
Top Passer:
Towson - Nathan Kent: 21-34, 252 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT
UNH - Max Brosmer: 28-43, 340 yards, 2 TD
Top Rusher:
Towson - Devin Matthews: 18 rush, 116 yards, 2 TD
UNH - Dylan Laube: 22 rush, 92 yards, 2 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Carter Runyon: 5 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD
UNH - Caleb Burke: 7 catches, 84 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Charles Peeples (CB): 9 tackles, 2 BrUp
UNH - Ryan Toscano (LB): 13 tackles, 1 sack
 
INTERNATIONAL TIGERS
Towson's influence is growing across the world. Three Towson players hail from outside the United States, including two from Canada.
--Sahil Bhullar, OL: Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
--Samuel Obiang, DL: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
--Florian Staehler, OL: Köln, Germany
 
Towson has also had former players from Belgium, Finland and Norway.
 
REPPING THE HOME STATE
The Towson roster represents the Old Line State well, sporting 41 players from the home state of Maryland.  This includes five players from Baltimore City/County: Dion Crews-Harris (Baltimore), Anthony Delle Donne (Baltimore), Tyrell Greene Jr. (Baltimore), Rishon Holmes (Baltimore) and Scott Smith III (Brooklandville).
 
TOWSON TO APPEAR ON MONUMENTAL SPORTS NETWORK
Four Towson football home games will be appearing on Monumental Sports Network this season.
 
The home of the Washington Capitals, Mystics and Wizards, Monumental Sports Network is based out of Bethesda and is aired across the DMV, spanning from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and North Carolina.
 
In addition, all Towson home games and road games at CAA opponents will be aired on FloFootball, the exclusive streaming home of the CAA.  Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs return as the Towson football radio team.
 
SCOUTING UALBANY:
UAlbany, receiving votes in each the STATS FCS and AFCA Coaches polls, comes into this game having won all three games vs. FCS opponents and having fallen to each FBS opponent played.
 
Finishing second in the 2022 Jerry Rice Award standings, quarterback Reese Poffenbarger leads the offense with 920 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions.  UAlbany ranks second in the CAA in scoring defense at 18.4 points allowed per game and first in total sacks with 22.  Senior defensive linemen Anton Juncaj and AJ Simon are one and two in the CAA in sacks with nine and save respectively.
 
LAST GAME (TOWSON 38, UALBANY 24)
(10/30/2021, TOWSON, MD.):
Including its best first half of the season, Towson earned a 31-3 run to begin the game to take down UAlbany 38-24 at Unitas.
Important Stat:
Towson - 259 rushing yards, then most in a CAA game since 2016
UA - Had two receivers with at least 124 yards
Top Passer:
Towson - Chris Ferguson: 11-19, 128 yards
UA - Jeff Undercuffler: 29-42, 350 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Jerry Howard Jr.: 19 rush, 145 yards, 1 TD
UA - Karl Mofor: 19 rush, 88 yards, 1 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Caleb Smith: 3 catches, 32 yards
UA - Roy Alexander: 9 catches, 162 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Mark Collins Jr. (CB): 7 tackles, 1 INT (pick-six), 1 FR
UA - Danny Damico (LB): 14 tackles, 1 TFL
 
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. UALBANY
--Oct. 24, 1970 (Towson, Md. - Towson State 69-14):
1970 was the second year of Towson State football under coach Carl Runk, playing in DIII, while Albany State was in its first year of reviving the program after 46 years, playing as a club team under Bob Ford, who would coach the Great Danes from 1970 to 2013.  Towson State won the game 69-14; the Tigers threw for 296 yards, including Stan Boone and Bob Remeto each having two receiving touchdowns.
 
--Nov. 15, 2003 (Towson, Md. - Towson 35-16):
In just the third game since Johnny Unitas® Stadium was dedicated to the former Colts legend, Towson defeated NEC co-champion UAlbany 35-16, including three second quarter touchdowns.  Helping hold UAlbany to 77 passing yards, Mike Collier and P.D. Moore each earned 11 tackles on defense.
 
--Oct. 19, 2013 (Albany, N.Y. - Towson 44-17)
UAlbany played Towson on its Homecoming in the first year in the CAA for the Great Danes.  UAlbany scored the first touchdown, then Towson responded with a 38-3 run to win 44-17.  Towson combined for 573 total offensive yards, including Terrance West rushing for 183 yards and two scores and Spencer Wilkins making six catches for 129 yards and a touchdown.
 
RANDY BIELSKI TO ENTER TOWSON ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
Among the inductees into the Towson Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023 includes former defensive back and kicker Randy Bielski.  He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Oct. 6.
 
The two-time All-American left Towson with then-program records in tackles (288), interceptions (13) and scoring (169), playing from 1976-79.  He led Towson to the 1976 Stagg Bowl for an NCAA DIII national title game appearance.
 
He was the first-ever Towson Tiger to be drafted into the National Football League, being taken as a kicker in the 12th round by the Baltimore Colts in 1980.
 
CAA FOOTBALL SHAKEUP
CAA Football has undergone changes for the 2023 season, beginning with a new name.  The CAA is now the Coastal Athletic Association, officially changing its name on July 20, formerly the Colonial Athletic Association.
 
CAA Football also welcomed in two new members: Campbell, which joined as a full member this year, and North Carolina A&T, which was a full member last season but joins the CAA Football ranks this year. 
 
The CAA now has 15 football members.  A 16th, Bryant, will join starting in the 2024 season.
 
SAM REYNOLDS
Wide receiver Sam Reynolds will be on the sideline Saturday after having a general medical condition on Aug. 15.  The redshirt sophomore played all 11 games last season.