The Game: Towson (2-3, 1-1 CAA) at Norfolk State (2-5, 0-1 MEAC)
When: Sat., Oct. 12 – 2 p.m.
Where: William "Dick" Price Stadium – Norfolk, Va.
Online Broadcast: ESPN+
----Broadcasters: Ross Gordon (PxP), Matt Michalec (analyst)
Audio Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: Tied 1-1
 
NORFOLK, Va. – Coming off a big league win, the Towson University football team will play its last non-conference game of the regular season, taking on Norfolk State on Saturday, Oct. 12 in Virginia at 2 p.m.
 
The game will air live on the ESPN+ with Ross Gordon and Matt Michalec on the call from Norfolk.  Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs will have the radio call on Towsontigers.com.
 
After last Saturday's 34-27 victory over then-#12/10 William & Mary to put the Tigers at 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the Coastal Athletic Association, Towson is receiving votes in the STATS FCS Poll.  Norfolk State is trying to snap a two-game losing streak, falling at Sacred Heart 10-3 last Saturday to stand at 2-5 overall and 0-1 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
 
This is the third all-time meeting between the Tigers and the Spartans and the first in the city of Norfolk.  Towson won the first meeting 31-21 on Nov. 24, 1984 in the NCAA Division II Playoffs while Norfolk State won last year 21-14 in Unitas on Sept. 23, 2023.
 
This is Towson's first visit to the city of Norfolk since defeating then-#18 Old Dominion 39-35 on Oct. 15, 2011.
 
SECOND YEAR IN PETE SHINNICK ERA
Towson enters its second season under head coach Pete Shinnick in 2024.  Towson retained its entire coaching staff from 2023.  Under coach Shinnick, Towson has three victories over then-top-15 teams, including a 34-27 win vs. then-#12/10 William & Mary on Oct. 5.
 
Towson has had five head coaches in program history: Carl Runk (1969-71), Phil Albert (1972-91), Gordy Combs (1992-2008), Rob Ambrose (2009-22) and Pete Shinnick (2023-pres.).
 
RUNYON - PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
Carter Runyon has been honored as a FCS Preseason All-American by each STATS Perform (First Team) and FCS Football Central (Second Team).  Runyon has also been named to the watch list for the Reese's Senior Bowl and the Shrine Bowl 1000.
 
The first-ever Towson DI tight end to earn All-America honors in 2023, being Second Team by the Associated Press, Runyon led all CAA tight ends in receiving yards with 549 in 2023. He also led Towson with 43 catches and four receiving touchdowns.
 
He is a three-time all-league honoree, including 2023 All-CAA First Team with Towson.  At Shenandoah, he twice was All-ODAC: 2022 Second Team at tight end and 2021 Third Team at offensive line.
 
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNDEFEATED 1974 TIGERS
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Towson State College's (TSC) undefeated 1974 team.  The Tigers went 10-0 that year in DIII under head coach Phil Albert, including two shutouts.
 
TSC allowed just 9.7 points per game and 190.3 yards a contest that year, with opponents averaging 3.3 yards per offensive play led by Joe Kelly (78 tackles), John Carmichael (66 tackles, 3 INT) and Billy Mills (39 tackles, 5 INT).  On offense, Dan Dullea led DIII with a 61% completion rate for 1,861 yards and 18 touchdowns.
 
FOUR TIGERS RECOGNIZED IN 2024 CAA PRESEASON AWARDS
Four Tigers were recognized on the CAA preseason awards. Three players were named to the 2024 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team: Ralph Paige Jr. at offensive line, Carter Runyon at tight end and Keegan Vaughan at kicker.  In addition, Dion Crews-Harris was selected as CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Honorable Mention.  All four earned their first-ever CAA Preseason Honors.
 
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 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 23-6, winning the last seven.  Towson defeated Morgan State 14-9 on Sept. 7.
 
13 GRADUATES SUITING UP FOR TOWSON
13 Tigers are suiting up as college graduates, including seven who earned a Towson degree.
Towson graduates (7) -
Anthony Delle Donne              Ernie Smith
Malik Jackson                         Brockman Wallace
Brady McElhaney                    Chris Watkins
Nathan Kent
                       
Graduates of other schools (6) -
Carlos Davis (UMass)
John Gioia (Wagner)
Da'Kendall James (Norfolk State)
Justin Ritter (James Madison)
Kam Snell (Gannon)
Justin Toler (Norfolk State)
 
RECEIVER DEPTH
Towson has a lot of depth in those catching the football, returning four players who have at least 500 career receiving yards.

Player	2024 Stats	Career Stats
#13 Da'Kendall James	8 rec., 114 yds	130 rec., 1591 yds, 10 TD
#80 Carter Runyon	19 rec., 183 yds, 1 TD	78 rec., 893 yds, 6 TD
#19 Zay Perkins	8 rec., 95 yds	64 rec., 762 yds, 9 TD
#14 Lukkas Londono	5 rec., 55 yds	45 rec., 585 yds, 1 TD
#0 John Dunmore	16 rec., 209 yds, 3 TD	26 rec., 308 yds, 3 TD
#11 Jaceon Doss	8 rec., 165 yds, 1 TD	8 rec., 165 yds, 1 TD

 
TOWSON PICKED NINTH IN CAA PRESEASON POLL
The Tigers were predicted to finish ninth in the league in the preseason coaches poll for the second straight year.  Towson received 114 points in the poll.  2023 CAA co-champions Villanova, Richmond and UAlbany ranked 1-3 in the preseason poll respectively.
2024 CAA Football Predicted Order of Finish (first-place votes)
1. Villanova (9), 217
2. Richmond (1), 189
3. UAlbany (3), 179
4. William & Mary, 175
5. Delaware (3), 163
6. Elon, 157
7. New Hampshire, 150
8. Rhode Island, 142
9. Towson, 114
10. Monmouth, 95
11. Campbell, 83
12. Hampton, 62
13. Maine, 57
14. North Carolina A&T, 49
15. Bryant, 46
16. Stony Brook, 42
 
TIGERS IN THE PROS
Several Tigers have been competing in the professional ranks after their time with the Black & Gold.
 
Robert Javier was an undrafted free agent by the Tennessee Titans into the NFL, appearing in the team's three preseason games.
 
In the first year of the United Football League, four Tigers made inaugural rosters.  Darius Victor headlined the crew as the league's 2024 Sportsman of the Year, which honors service off the field and excellence on the field.  Jesus GIbbs was signed mid-year by the Michigan Panthers, helping the team reach the playoffs in his first professional year.
 
Tigers in the Pros – 2024
National Football League
--Robert Javier, DB: Tennessee Titans (preseason)
 
Canadian Football League
--Tibo Debaillie, DL: BC Lions
 
United Football League
--Tom Flacco, QB: San Antonio Brahmas
--Jesus Gibbs, DL: Michigan Panthers
--Elorm Lumor, DL: St. Louis Battlehawks
--Darius Victor, RB: Memphis Showboats
 
Arena Football League
--Caleb Smith, WR: Albany Firebirds
 
Indoor Football League
--Shane Simpson, RB: Bay Area Panthers
 
VAUGHAN NAMED TO FRED MITCHELL AWARD WATCH LIST
Keegan Vaughan has been placed on the 2024 Fred Mitchell Award Preseason Watch List.  The Fred Mitchell Award is given annually to the top place-kicker in FCS, DII, DII, NAIA and NJCAA for excellence on the football field and in the community.
 
The 2023 All-CAA Second Team selection has been Towson's primary place-kicker for the Tigers all four years.  On Oct. 5, Vaughan surpassed the career 200-point mark, having 201 off 38 career field goals and 87 career extra points.
 
HOMEGROWN QUARTERBACKS
Of Towson's six quarterbacks on the roster, five reside in the home state of Maryland.
 
#7 Carlos Davis, Gr. - Baltimore, Md.
UMass grad transfer, went to Mergenthaler Vocational-Tech
#15 Nathan Kent, Gr. - Eldersburg, Md.
Towson graduate and 2023 starter, went to Liberty H.S.
#18 Jack Pellicciotti, R-Fr. - Eldersburg, Md.
Redshirted in 2023, went to Liberty H.S.
#16 Scott Smith III, R-So. - Bel Air, Md.
Played in games in 2021 and 2022, went to St. Paul's
#6 Winston Watkins, Fr. - Pasadena, Md.
True freshman from Mount Saint Joseph's High
 
MATTHEWS IN TOWSON TOP-10 IN RUSHING TDS
Devin Matthews has moved into the top-10 all-time in Towson history in career rushing touchdowns, standing tied for eighth.  In his third year with Towson, he has 23 career rushing touchdowns.
Career Rushing Touchdowns - Towson History
1. Terrance West - 84 (2011-13)
2. Darius Victor - 41 (2013-16)
3. Jason Corle - 33 (1996-99)
4. Brian McCarty - 32 (1991-94)
5. Tony Vinson - 29 (1992-93)
6. Dan Ricker - 26 (1983-87)
t7. Devin Matthews - 23 (2021-pres.)
t7. David Meggett - 23 (1987-88)
 
RUNNING DOWN FIELD
Through the first five games, Towson already has a pair of 70+ yard rushes.
--Devin Matthews at Villanova, Sept. 14 - 3Q, 4:52
--On first down from the Towson 13, Matthews burst through the line and down the sideline for 70 yards, being tackled near the sideline at the Villanova 17.
--Tyrell Greene Jr. at North Dakota St., Sept. 21 - 4Q, 10:16
            --The first play of the drive, Greene rushed up the gut to the house for 72 yards and a touchdown.
 
TOWSON FOOTBALL PHRASES
The Towson football team is spurred on by a couple of phrases unique to the Black & Gold.
 
ARETE! (prononuced r-ah-TAY)
--Arete is the Greek word for "excellence of any kind," to live up to your fullest potential.  Shinnick brought Arete to Towson football from West Florida, which he built as the culture around West Florida's mascot, the Argonauts.
 
Goh Tigers
--The official slogan of the Towson University Athletics department, Goh Tigers references the Baltimore dialect and connects to Towson's strong history to the Greater Baltimore area.
 
Special Forces
--The Towson special teams unit is referred to as special forces by the team.  The unit has several different plays and formations, which are confirmed in pregame walkthroughs.
 
LAST GAME (TOWSON 34, #12/10 WILLIAM & MARY 27)
(10/5/2024 - TOWSON, MD.):
Towson exploded for 21 points in the third quarter en route to a 34-27 victory over #12/10 William & Mary, its third victory over a top-15 opponent in the Shinnick era.
Important Stat:
Towson - Scored 21 points off W&M turnovers
W&M - Five offensive plays for 29+ yards
Top Passer:
Towson - Sean Brown: 17-24, 185 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
W&M - Darius Wilson: 12-25, 209 yards
Top Rusher:
Towson - Tyrell Greene Jr.: 15 rush, 133 yards, 1 TD
W&M - Bronson Yoder: 17 rush, 84 yards, 1 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Zay Perkins: 5 receptions, 68 yards
W&M - DreSean Kendrick: 4 receptions, 59 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - CJ McClendon (LB): 9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF
W&M - Quinn Osborne (LB): 7 tackles, 0.5 TFL
 
INTERNATIONAL TIGERS
Towson's influence is growing across the world. Three Towson players hail from outside the United States.
            --Sahil Bhullar, OL: Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
            --Mazio Randall, DL: Nassau, The Bahamas
            --Prabdeep Singh-Mann, LB: Hamilton, Ontario
            --Florian Staehler, OL: Köln, Germany
 
In the last 15 years, Towson has also had former players from Australia, Belgium, Finland and Norway.
 
REPPING THE HOME STATE
The Towson roster represents the Old Line State well, sporting 42 players from the home state of Maryland.  This includes eight players from Baltimore City/County: Dion Crews-Harris (Baltimore), Carlos Davis (Baltimore), Anthony Delle Donne (Baltimore), Nick Gamble (Windsor Mill), Tyrell Greene Jr. (Baltimore), Rishon Holmes (Baltimore), Scott Smith III (Brooklandville), Kam Snell (Owings Mills) and Isaiah Yates (Baltimore).
 
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 has run on offense on over two-thirds of its offensive plays this year, averaging 163.3 rushing yards a game, including three games with over 227 yards on the ground.
 
Juniors Kevon King and X'Zavion Evans have 67 and 66 rushes respectively, combining for 781 rushing yards this year.  Sophomore Jalen Daniels has throws 55.4% for 831 yards, six TDs and three interceptions, adding 104 rushing yards.  The team's leader in tackles is sophomore AJ Richardson with 52 while redshirt junior defensive back Daylan Long has 28 tackles and four tackles for loss.
 
LAST TIME VS. NORFOLK ST. (NORFOLK ST. 21, TOWSON 14)
(9/23/2023, TOWSON, MD.):
Towson's final pass in the red zone to potentially tie the game was broken up to stop the comeback attempt as the Tigers fell 21-14 to Norfolk State.
Important Stat:
Towson - Had 201 yards passing, held opponent to 93 yards passing
Norfolk State - Ran the ball for 350 yards, averaging 6.5 yards a carry
Top Passer:
Towson - Nathan Kent: 21-36, 201 yards, 1 INT
Norfolk State - Otto Kuhns: 5-14, 38 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - D'Ago Hunter: 9 rush, 57 yards
Norfolk State - Kevon King: 11 rush, 97 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Carter Runyon: 6 receptions, 62 yards
Norfolk State - Aaron Moore: 2 receptions, 19 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Mason Woods (LB): 9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF
Norfolk State - Terron Mallory (DB): 8 tackles, 1 FF, 1 INT
 
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.
 
POIST, MOREKAS TO BE INDUCTED INTO TOWSON ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
Among the inductees into the Towson Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024 include former linebacker Bobby Poist and current broadcaster Spiro Morekas.  They will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Oct. 18.
 
Poist played at Towson from 1980-83, earning a then Towson-record 31 sacks (now 2nd all-time) and being third with 252 tackles.  He anchored a 1983 Towson State team which allowed just 7.3 points per game, leading the team with a program single season record 17 sacks, adding 65 tackles.
 
Morekas, a 1983 Towson graduate, has been the play-by-play voice of Tiger football, men's basketball and men's lacrosse since 1991.  He also is the coaches show host for all three sports and was formerly Towson's golf coach from 1989-94.
 
CAA FOOTBALL SHAKEUP
CAA Football has undergone changes for the 2024 season, including bringing in a new member.  Bryant, which formerly played in the Big South, begins CAA play this season.
 
Two CAA Football members will play their final year in the conference in 2024.  Full CAA member Delaware is headed to Conference USA while associate member Richmond, which Towson will play on Nov. 2, is going to the Patriot League.