The Game: Towson (0-1, 0-0 CAA) vs. Monmouth (0-1, 0-0 CAA)
When: Sat., Sept. 9 – 6 p.m.
Where: Johnny Unitas® Stadium – Towson, Md.
Promotion: Gold Rush/Hometown Heroes Game
--First 1,500 students receive a co-branded gold T-shirt, courtesy of Ledo Pizza
Linear Broadcast: Monumental Sports Network
Online Broadcast: FloFootball ($)
Audio Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: Towson leads 8-1
TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University football team is ready for the 2023 home opener, also the beginning of Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play, as the Tigers host Monmouth at Unitas on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 6 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 1,500 students to the game will receive a co-branded gold T-shirt, courtesy of Ledo Pizza.
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.
This is the first 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.
Both teams are coming off a defeat in the opening week against FBS opponents, making this the CAA opener for each team. Towson fell at Maryland 38-6 on Saturday while Monmouth lost at Florida Atlantic 42-20 to put each team at 0-1.
With the Hawks joining the league last season, this is just the second time Towson will play Monmouth as CAA opponents. Towson has won the last two games, including a 52-48 victory on Oct. 29, 2022 in West Long Branch, and leads the all-time series 8-1. The two played every year from 1995 to 2002.
Towson is 6-1 in home openers dating back to 2015. The Tigers defeated Morgan State 29-21 in last year's first game at Unitas. Since the opening of Minnegan Field in 1978, Towson is 34-10 in home openers. Since the establishment of Towson football in 1969, the Tigers are 41-12 in home openers.
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 25 games in his Towson career since transferring in from South Carolina, Gibbs stands with 70 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and seven 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.
Hunter, a 2022 STATS Perform All-American and 2022 CAA Special Teams Player of the Year, finished the year with 1,207 all-purpose yards, including 639 on kickoffs, adding three special teams touchdowns.
Gibbs was 2022 All-CAA Second Team at defensive line with a team-high five sacks and eight tackles for loss, totaling 44 tackles.
Javier was tied for first in the CAA last year with 12 pass break-ups, including a pair of pick sixes.
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.
The game heads to Morgan State on Sept. 16. Towson leads the all-time series 21-6, winning the last five, including a 29-21 victory last year at Unitas.
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.
In his career, Hunter has 2,017 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 159-68, 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 (MARYLAND 38, TOWSON 6)
(9/2/2023 - COLLEGE PARK, MD.):
Towson fell in its season opener at FBS Maryland 38-6 in the first game of 2023.
Important Stat:
Towson -
Keegan Vaughan - 2-for-2 on field goal attempts
Maryland - Scored touchdowns on five of first seven drives
Top Passer:
Towson -
Nathan Kent: 16-31, 128 yards
Maryland - Taulia Tagovailoa: 22-33, 260 yards, 3 TD
Top Rusher:
Towson -
Devin Matthews: 12 rush, 48 yards
Maryland - Roman Hemby: 12 rush, 58 yards, 1 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson -
Da'Kendall James: 4 catches, 49 yards
Maryland - Corey Dyches: 6 catches, 108 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson -
Mason Woods (LB): 8 tackles, 1 QBH
Maryland - Beau Brade (DB): 6 tackles, 1 BrUp
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 MONMOUTH:
Monmouth is coached by Kevin Callahan in his 31st season, the program's only-ever head coach and the longest tenured head coach at a CAA school.
Sacred Heart graduate transfer Marquez McCray took over as starting quarter, earning 249 yards in his first game at Florida Atlantic. Junior running back Jaden Shirden, on the Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List, burst for 1,722 rushing yards last season. Team captain and graduate student linebacker Ryan Moran led the Hawks with 13 tackles in the opening game.
LAST GAME (TOWSON 52, MONMOUTH 48)
(10/29/2022 - WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.):
Towson earned its best offensive performance since 2019 and best in a road game since 2012 to earn a 52-48 victory at Monmouth on Saturday afternoon.
Important Stat:
Towson -
D'Ago Hunter with 334 all-purpose yards, 92-yard kick return TD
Monmouth - Had five touchdowns of 20+ yards
Top Passer:
Towson -
Tyrrell Pigrome: 20-25, 216 yards, 1 TD
Monmouth - Enzo Arjona: 18-25, 213 yards, 3 TD
Top Rusher:
Towson -
Devin Matthews: 15 rush, 112 yards, 1 TD
Monmouth - Jaden Shirden: 19 rush, 211 yards, 3 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson -
Da'Kendall James: 5 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD
Monmouth - Dymere Miller: 8 catches, 99 yards, 2 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson -
Mason Woods (LB): 8 tackles, 2 TFL, 0.5 sack
Monmouth - Da'Quan Grimes (LB): 13 tackles, 1 TFL
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. MONMOUTH:
--Oct. 19, 1996 (West Long Branch, N.J. - Towson 15-6):
Towson held Monmouth scoreless for nearly 50 minutes and earned 299 yards rushing in a 15-6 win against Monmouth. Future Towson Athletics Hall of Famer Jason Corle rushed 40 times for 192 yards and two touchdowns as Towson had 63 rushing plays to just seven passing attempts.
--Sept. 6, 1997 (Towson, Md. - Towson 22-21):
Towson came back from down 21-0 in the second quarter with 22 unanswered points, going ahead for good on a George Perdikakis 35-yard field goal with 2:47 left to win 22-21 in the season opener. Kevin Smith threw for 303 yards while Kevyn Dodson scored two touchdowns in the third quarter.
--Oct. 28, 2000 (West Long Branch, N.J. - Towson 12-0)
A stellar Towson defensive effort, including allowing four first downs and 105 total yards plus earning a safety, led to a 12-0 shutout win at Monmouth. Noah Reed outgained Monmouth with 115 rushing yards while future Towson Athletics Hall of Famer Andrew Hollingsworth had three sacks for 16 yards.
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.
