The Game: Towson (1-2, 0-1 CAA) vs. Norfolk State (1-2, 0-0 MEAC)
When: Sat., Sept. 23 – 4 p.m.
Where: Johnny Unitas® Stadium – Towson, Md.
Promotion: Family Weekend
--First 1,000 fans receive a co-branded tote bag, courtesy of Weis Markets
Linear Broadcast: Monumental Sports Network
Online Broadcast: FloFootball ($)
Audio Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: Towson leads 1-0
TOWSON, Md. – For the first time in nearly 40 years, the Towson University football team and Norfolk State will meet on the gridiron on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 4 p.m. for Family Weekend.
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 Tote Bag, courtesy of Weis Markets.
This is the second of four games for Towson football televised on the Monumental Sports Network, the home of the Washington Capitals, Mystics and Wizards. The game will also 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 earned its first victory under head coach
Pete Shinnick on Saturday with a 20-10 win at Morgan State in The Battle for Greater Baltimore to go to 1-2 overall, also being 0-1 in the CAA. Norfolk State, from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, is coming off a 41-9 road loss at FBS Temple to also be 1-2 overall.
The lone meeting between these two teams came on Nov. 24, 1984 in the NCAA Division II Football Championship first round, where then-Towson State defeated Norfolk State 31-21. The two teams will play next year on Oct. 12 in Norfolk.
This is Towson's final non-conference game of the year before the return to CAA play. This is also the only non-conference regular season game at Unitas this season.
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 27 games in his Towson career since transferring in from South Carolina, Gibbs stands with 82 total tackles, 17.5 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
GO D'AGO GO
D'Ago Hunter was a force on special teams last season, having three touchdowns on returns, including two on kickoffs and one on a punt.
In his career, Hunter has three kickoff returns for touchdowns, one shy of the Towson record of four held by Derrick Joseph from 2011-14. Hunter has four career special teams touchdowns, with his other being a 92-yard touchdown return vs. Bucknell on Oct. 19, 2019.
Hunter has 2,171 career kickoff return yards with the Tigers, including 639 last season. The program record is 2,177 yards by Julian Blair from 1990-92.
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)
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 160-69, 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 20, MORGAN STATE 10)
(9/16/2023 - BALTIMORE, MD.):
Towson retains The Battle for Greater Baltimore trophy, riding a 20-point first half to a 20-10 victory over Baltimore rival Morgan State.
Important Stat:
Towson - Forced four turnovers, including three interceptions
Morgan St. - Had three different QBs throw at least eight passes each
Top Passer:
Towson -
Nathan Kent: 18-34, 168 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Morgan St. - Duce Taylor: 9-24, 96 yards, 3 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson -
Tyrell Greene Jr.: 11 rush, 59 yards
Morgan St. - J.J. Davis: 8 rush, 27 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson -
Da'Kendall James: 6 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD
Morgan St. - J.J. Davis: 3 receptions, 57 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson -
Robert Javier (DB): 3 tackles, 2 INT, 4 BrUp
Morgan St. - Erick Hunter (LB): 9 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1 FF
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 NORFOLK STATE:
Norfolk State is wrapping up a three-game road trip with Saturday's contest. Head Coach Dawson Odums is in his third year after leading Southern to four SWAC championship game appearances.
So far this year, Norfolk State has run on 63% of offensive possessions; sophomore Xzavion Evans and junior Lex Henry each have at least 100 yards rushing, while junior Otto Kuhns passes for 54.4%, having 475 yards, six touchdowns, two interceptions and 62 rushing yards. On defense, junior Devon Allen has broken up multiple passes each game, tallying seven pass break-ups and 13 tackles.
LAST GAME (TOWSON 31, NORFOLK STATE 21)
(11/24/1984 - TOWSON, MD.):
Towson advanced to the NCAA DII Semifinals following a first round victory over Norfolk State 31-21.
Important Stat:
Towson - Had a 31-7 lead, including Joe Gamble blocked punt TD
Norfolk St. - Held Towson to 21.7% pass completion rate
Top Passer:
Towson - Kurt Beathard: 5-20, 60 yards, 1 TD
Norfolk St. - Willie Gillus: 12-24, 128 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Dan Ricker: 25 rush, 128 yards, 1 TD
Norfolk St. - Tony Johnson: 20 rush, 70 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Sean Murphy: 3 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD
Norfolk St. - Leonard Hopkins: 4 receptions, 43 yards, 2 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Buck Roche (SS): 9 tackles, 1 INT
Norfolk St. - Bruce Manley (DB): 6 tackles
ON TOWSON-NORFOLK STATE 1984 (BY DAN O'CONNELL)
Towson and Norfolk State meet in 1984 in the first round of the NCAA playoffs. Norfolk State had one of the top defenses in NCAA Division II and the Tigers had an explosive offense that led to an 8-3 record.
On the first possession of the game, Joe Gamble blocked a punt and scored for a 7-0 lead. From there, the Tigers built a 31-7 lead en route to their first Division II playoff win. Dan Ricker and Brian O'Neal led the Tigers' ground game while Kurt Beathard threw long TD pass to Sean Murphy.
The Tigers' season ended the following week when Towson lost to Troy State. Troy State went on to win the national championship.
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.
