The Game: Towson (0-1, 0-0 CAA) vs. Morgan State (1-0, 0-0 MEAC)
When: Sat., Sept. 7 – 6 p.m.
Where: Johnny Unitas® Stadium – Towson, Md.
Broadcast: Monumental Sports Network
Online Broadcast: FloSports
Audio Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: Towson leads 22-6
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/150060F39AA8384C
Giveaway: Gold Rush T-shirt for first 1,500 students
Game presented by: Ledo Pizza
 
TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University football team's home opener is the next chapter of The Battle for Greater Baltimore as the Tigers host rival Morgan State on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m.
 
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 shettenhouser@towson.edu.
 
This game is the annual Gold Rush game to begin the home season, where the Towson freshman class will run onto the field with the team.  The first 1,500 students in attendance will receive a Gold Rush t-shirt.
 
The game will air live on the Monumental Sports Network (check your local listings) and online on FloSports, with Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs on the call.  They will also have the radio call on Towsontigers.com.
 
Each team is coming off a road contest last week to begin the year.  Towson, from the CAA, fell to FBS opponent Cincinnati 38-20 to stand at 0-1 overall while Morgan State, from the MEAC, won its opener at Hampton 30-28 to be 1-0.
 
This is the 29th all-time meeting between two teams separated by five miles, the closest pair of teams in all of FCS play.  Towson has won the last six meetings, including 20-10 in Baltimore on Sept. 16, 2023, the first win at Towson for head coach Pete Shinnick.  All-time, Towson is 22-6 vs Morgan State.
 
This is Towson's first of two non-conference games against MEAC opponents, playing at Norfolk State on Oct. 12.  Morgan State is playing in the second of three games vs. CAA foes this year, including a game at Stony Brook on Sept. 28.
 
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	2023 Stats	Career Stats
#13 Da'Kendall James	3 rec., 36 yds	125 rec., 1513 yds, 10 TD
#80 Carter Runyon	5 rec., 21 yds	64 rec., 731 yds, 5 TD
#19 Zay Perkins	--	56 rec., 667 yds, 9 TD
#14 Lukkas Londono	3 rec., 34 yds	43 rec., 564 yds, 1 TD
#82 Brady McElhaney	--	19 rec., 151 yds
#0 John Dunmore	2 rec., 35 yds, 1 TD	12 rec., 134 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 the past three years, amassing 168 total points off 31 made field goals and 75 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.  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.)
7. 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 (CINCINNATI 38, TOWSON 20)
(8/31/2024 - CINCINNATI, OHIO):
Towson gave FBS opponent Cincinnati all it could handle in the season opener, falling to the Bearcats 38-20.
Important Stat:
Towson - Two touchdown receptions of at least 28 yards
Cincinnati - Averaged 10.4 yards per offensive play
Top Passer:
Towson - Carlos Davis: 21-37, 244 yards, 2 TD
Cincinnati - Brendan Sorsby: 22-31, 383 yards, 2 TD
Top Rusher:
Towson - Devin Matthews: 17 rush, 70 yards
Cincinnati - Evan Pryor: 4 rush, 105 yards, 1 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Jaceon Doss: 5 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD
Cincinnati - Xzavier Henderson: 7 receptions, 101 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Shafeek Smith (DB): 9 tackles, 1 BrUp
Cincinnati - Josh Minkins (DB): 6 tackles, 3 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 MORGAN STATE:
Morgan State is led by Damon Wilson, the 2021 AFCA DII National Coach of the Year, in his third season.  Wilson is two wins away from 100 as a head coach including his time at Bowie State.
 
The Bears ran the ball 55 times in its win at Hampton with just eight passing attempts.  Senior Myles Miree was the primary rusher, carrying the ball 15 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns while quarterback Tahj Smith has 75 passing yards and 42 rushing yards.  Linebacker Arturo Mattocks and defensive back Jeremiah Wynn share the team lead of six tackles.
 
LAST TIME VS. MORGAN ST. (TOWSON 20, MORGAN ST. 10)
(9/16/2023, BALTIMORE, MD.):
Towson retained 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
 
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. MORGAN STATE
--Sept. 29, 2001 (Baltimore, Md. - Towson 20-17 (OT)):
Morgan State took the lead with a touchdown with 5:16 left, then a seven-play, 93-yard drive ended on a Noah Read TD to push Towson ahead 17-14. Morgan State forced overtime with a last second field goal. Ed Kulic hit an 18- yard field goal to give Towson the lead; a Morgan State fumble ended its OT chance as Towson took a 20-17 overtime victory.
 
--Sept. 1, 2005 (Towson, Md. - Towson 29-26):
Down 26-13 late in the third quarter, Towson rallied with 16 unanswered points, with Ron Halbruner's 29-yard field goal with one second left to give Towson the 29-26 victory. In his first-ever collegiate game, Sean Schaefer (Hall of Fame Class of 2021) threw for 344 yards while Nick Williams rushed for 141 yards.
 
--Sept. 2, 2017 (Towson, Md. - Towson 10-0):
The revival of the Battle for Greater Baltimore series at Towson saw a defensive battle at Unitas, with the Tigers taking a 10-0 victory. All points came in the second quarter. The Towson defense forced four turnovers and held Morgan State from scoring on three red zone appearances.
 
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.