The Game: Towson (1-2, 0-1 CAA) at No. 2 North Dakota State (2-1, 0-0 MVFC)
When: Sat., Sept. 21 – 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT)
Where: Fargodome – Fargo, N.D.
Online Broadcast: ESPN+
----Broadcasters: Dom Izzo (PxP), Kyle Emanuel (analyst)
Audio Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: North Dakota State leads 3-0
 
FARGO, N.D. – In a rematch of the 2013 NCAA championship game, the Towson University football team heads to Fargo to take on North Dakota State on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT).
 
The game will air online on ESPN+, with Dom Izzo and Kyle Emanuel on the call live from the Fargodome.  Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs will also have the radio call on Towsontigers.com.
 
Towson, which is receiving votes in the STATS FCS Poll, narrowly fell to then #5/4 Villanova 14-13 on the road on Saturday to be 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the CAA.  From the MVFC, North Dakota State, standing #2 in each the STATS FCS and AFCA Coaches Polls, defeated East Tennessee State 38-35 on Sept. 14 to enter at 2-1 overall, having not yet played a league game.
 
Towson and North Dakota State will meet for the fourth time, with the Bison taking the first three games.  Last time, NDSU won at Towson 35-7 on Sept. 18, 2021.  The two also met in the 1983 NCAA DII Tournament First Round and the 2013 FCS Championship.
 
Following this contest, Towson will enter its bye week before returning home to play #12/13 William & Mary on Oct. 5.
 
SECOND YEAR IN PETE SHINNICK ERA
Towson enters its second season under head coach Pete Shinnick in 2024.  In 2023, the Tigers earned two road wins over then top-15 programs New Hampshire and William & Mary en route to 4-4 in CAA play and 5-6 overall.  Towson retained its entire coaching staff from 2023.
 
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 22-6, winning the last six.
 
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	7 rec., 95 yds	129 rec., 1572 yds, 10 TD
#80 Carter Runyon	13 rec., 124 yds, 1 TD	72 rec., 834 yds, 6 TD
#19 Zay Perkins	3 rec., 27 yds	59 rec., 694 yds, 9 TD
#14 Lukkas Londono	5 rec., 55 yds	45 rec., 585 yds, 1 TD
#0 John Dunmore	8 rec., 102 yds, 1 TD	18 rec., 201 yds, 1 TD
#11 Jaceon Doss	6 rec., 154 yds, 1 TD	6 rec., 154 yds, 1 TD
#82 Brady McElhaney	--	19 rec., 151 yds

 
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 the past three years, amassing 185 total points off 35 made field goals and 80 made extra points, having a 83.3% field goal conversion rate last year.
 
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.  Now in his fourth 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)
 
CREWS-IN TO THE QUARTERBACK
A graduate of Dunbar High in Baltimore, Dion Crews-Harris was named CAA Preseason Honorable Mention All-Conference this year at defensive line.
 
In his first year at defensive line in 2023 after moving to the position from fullback, Crews-Harris was Towson's leader in sacks until the final game of the year, finishing with five.  He also was second on the team with 7.5 tackles for loss.
 
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 (#5/4 VILLANOVA 14, TOWSON 13)
(9/14/2024 - VILLANOVA, PA.):
Towson nearly pulled off an upset of a top-five team on the road but came up just short in a 14-13 defeat at No. 5/4 Villanova.
Important Stat:
Towson - Held Villanova to 116 passing yards
Villanova - Averaged 6.3 yards per rush
Top Passer:
Towson - Sean Brown: 20-36, 233 yards, 1 TD
Villanova - Connor Watkins: 14-25, 116 yards, 2 TD
Top Rusher:
Towson - Devin Matthews: 14 rush, 135 yards
Villanova - Isaiah Ragland: 17 rush, 141 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Carter Runyon: 6 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD
Villanova - Jaylan Sanchez: 4 receptions, 59 yards, 2 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Will Middleton (LB): 9 tackles, 1 FF
Villanova - Brendan Bell (DB): 12 tackles, 1 BrUp
 
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 NORTH DAKOTA STATE:
North Dakota State has been to the NCAA FCS Quarterfinal Round every year since 2010, including nine national championships and a semifinal appearance in 2024.
 
Senior quarterback Cam Miller is the team's leader in passing, throwing 72.6% for 708 yards and five touchdowns, and rushing with 169 yards and five touchdowns.  Redshirt freshman CharMar Brown is the main running back with 140 yards on 33 carries.  On defense, senior safety Sam Jung is the leader in tackles with 16, adding a pair of pass break-ups.
 
LAST TIME VS. NDSU (#5/4 NDSU 35, TOWSON 7)
(9/18/2021, TOWSON, MD.):
Towson scored a touchdown late against North Dakota State but was unable to overcome 35 unanswered points by the Bison.
Important Stat:
Towson - 9 different receivers had at least one reception
NDSU - 328 rushing yards, averaging 7.1 yards a rush
Top Passer:
Towson - Chris Ferguson: 19-28, 165 yards
NDSU - Quincy Patterson: 6-11, 165 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Jerry Howard Jr.: 18 rush, 45 yards, 1 TD
NDSU - Dominic Gonnella: 13 rush, 92 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - D'Ago Hunter: 5 catches, 36 yards
NDSU - Christian Watson: 3 catches, 79 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - S.J. Brown II (DB): 16 tackles, 1 INT
NDSU - Jackson Hankey (LB): 7 tackles, 0.5 TFL
 
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. NDSU
--Nov. 26, 1983 - NDSU 24, Towson 17 (Fargo, N.D.):
In the first round of the DII NCAA Tournament, Phil Albert's Towson State team scored a touchdown late to get within seven for an outside kick opportunity, but NDSU held to win the game 24-17. Bret Rogers threw for 222 yards and two TDs while Brian O'Neal rushed for 89 yards. Towson finished the year at 10-2 while NDSU would win the DII national title.
 
--Jan. 4, 2014 - NDSU 35, Towson 7 (Frisco, Texas):
Towson and NDSU met for the FCS title game to conclude the 2013 season. Tied 7-7 going into the second quarter, NDSU blocked a Towson field goal attempt and scored a TD the next play en route to a 35-7 win. Towson had 373 yards of total offense to NDSU's 345, including Peter Athens throwing for 267 yards and Terrance West rushing for 99 yards and a score.
 
--Sept. 18, 2021 - NDSU 35, Towson 7 (Towson, Md.)
After sitting out the 2020-21 academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Towson had its first home game in 95 weeks, hosting #5 North Dakota State at Unitas.  Towson returned to 9,109 fans, the second-highest home crowd since 2015, in a 35-7 defeat.  S.J. Brown II finished with 16 tackles for the Tigers, including an interception in the end zone.
 
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.