The Game: Towson (2-1, 0-0 CAA) vs. No. RV/24 Youngstown State (2-1, 0-0 MVFC)
When: Sat., Sept. 20 – 6 p.m.
Where: Johnny Unitas® Stadium – Towson, Md.
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/150062E9B8302E2E
Promotion: First 1,000 students receive gold replica jersey, presented by Ledo Pizza
TV/Online Broadcast: Monumental Sports Network/FloCollege
Audio Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: Youngstown State leads 4-0
 
TOWSON, Md. – Four weeks into the season, the Towson University football team finally has its home opener, hosting Youngstown State on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. at Unitas Stadium.
 
Tickets for the game are available at https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/150062E9B8302E2E.  The first 1,000 students will receive a gold replica jersey, presented by Ledo Pizza, for the annual Gold Rush game.
 
The game will be broadcast on the Monumental Sports Network; check your local listings for channel information. In addition, Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs will have the online broadcast on FloCollege and the radio call on Towsontigers.com from Unitas.
 
Each team enters Saturday at 2-1 overall, having fallen to an FBS opponent, and is playing its final non-conference game before the start of league play.  Towson, from the Coastal Athletic Association, fell to Maryland 44-17 on Saturday while Youngstown State, member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, lost at Michigan State 41-24 on Saturday.  Youngstown State is currently ranked #24 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
 
This is the first time these two teams will meet since 1991, when Towson and Youngstown State played for the fourth straight year.  The Penguins won 27-17 on Nov. 23, 1991 to lead the all-time series 4-0.  It is the second straight year where Towson is playing a MVFC team, having played North Dakota State last season.
 
Next week, Towson will begin CAA play at Bryant.  The next two games will be at home vs. Elon and Monmouth.
 
THIRD YEAR IN PETE SHINNICK ERA
Towson enters its third season under head coach Pete Shinnick in 2024.  Under coach Shinnick, Towson has a 14-12 record, including three victories over then-top-15 teams, including a 34-27 win vs. then-#12/10 William & Mary on Oct. 5, 2024.
 
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.).
 
BRODIE, TERRY EARN PRESEASON ALL-CAA
Towson defensive backs Myles Brodie and Xavier Terry have been placed on the 2025 CAA Preseason All-Conference Team.  In addition, two more Tigers, John Dunmore and Rodney Roane Jr., were chosen as CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Honorable Mention.
 
Brodie was a 2024 All-CAA Third Team defensive back for Towson, having the team lead with two interceptions and nine pass break-ups.  The redshirt senior cornerback added 44 tackles and had a four-game streak with at least one pass break-up.
 
Terry has been in the top-two for Towson in tackles in each of the past two seasons, including last year tallying up 82 tackles, five pass break-ups, an interception and two forced fumbles.  The redshirt senior safety had at least four tackles in all 12 games last season.
 
In his first full year with the team in 2024, Dunmore was Towson's leader in receiving yards with 619 and receiving touchdowns with five.  Also serving as a special teams returner, the redshirt senior wide receiver had at least 35 receiving yards in 10 games last year.
 
Roane played all 12 games at linebacker in 2024, finishing second on the team with four sacks, adding 58 tackles and five tackles for loss.  The senior had at least three tackles in all 12 games last season.
 
IT'S TIME TO START RUNNING!
Towson will have new players carrying the ball with all running backs recording yards last year having departed, including Devin Matthews and Tyrell Greene Jr., who each averaged 6+ yards a carry in 2024.
 
Five running backs will compete for playing time, including two transfers: Al Wooten II from Duke and Trey Engram from Kansas State, and three true/redshirt freshmen, Kemarrion Battles, JaVon Ford II and Kahseim "Caddy" Phillips.
 
MOVING UP THE SACKS LIST
During the Shinnick era, Towson has caused more pressure on the quarterback with 33 sacks in 2024.  With 29 sacks in 2023, Towson has had its top two sack totals in a season since 2013.  Towson's six sacks vs. N.C. A&T on Nov. 16, 2024 ties the most amount in a game for the Tigers since having seven at Villanova on Oct. 27, 2012.
 
Season Sacks - Towson
2013 - 41                     2019 - 22 (no 2020 season, COVID)
2014 - 28                     2021 - 22
2015 - 22                     2022 - 21
2016 - 20                     2023 - 29
2017 - 26                     2024 - 33
2018 - 23                     2025 - 5          
 
17 GRADUATES SUITING UP FOR TOWSON
17 Tigers are suiting up as college graduates, including 10 who earned a Towson degree.
 
Towson graduates (10) -
Myles Brodie                           CJ McClendon
Sean Brown                            Sam Reynolds
John Dunmore                        Mike Swain
Jean Germain                         Xavier Terry
Nathan Kent                            Kaden White
 
Graduates of other schools (7) -
Bryce Butler (Ohio)                             Shamar Graham (Virginia Union)
Carnell Davis (Duquesne)                  Myles Turner (UMass)
Wyatt Draeger (San Diego St.)          Al Wooten (Duke, Mercer)
Ja'Mez Drummer (Old Dominion)
 
RECEIVER DEPTH
Towson has a lot of depth in those catching the football, currently having three players who have at least 700 career receiving yards.

Player	2025 Stats	Career Stats
#1 Zay Perkins	3 rec., 85 yds., 1 TD	73 rec., 895 yds, 10 TD
#0 John Dunmore	11 rec., 128 yds, 2 TD	63 rec., 846 yds, 7 TD
#14 Lukkas Londono	5 rec., 55 yds	57 rec., 733 yds, 2 TD
#11 Jaceon Doss	4 rec., 126 yds, 2 TD	33 rec., 576 yds, 5 TD
#12 Sam Reynolds	4 rec., 30 yds	31 rec., 303 yds, 1 TD

 
TOWSON PICKED SIXTH IN CAA PRESEASON POLL
The Tigers were predicted to finish sixth in the league in the preseason coaches poll.  Towson received 108 points in the poll.  Defending CAA co-champion Rhode Island is predicted to finish first followed by Monmouth and Villanova.
 
2025 CAA Football Predicted Order of Finish (first-place votes)
1. Rhode Island (8 first-place votes) 163
2. Monmouth (4 first-place votes) 142
3. Villanova (2 first-place votes) 139
4. Stony Brook 125
5. UNH 119
6. Towson 108
7. William & Mary 104
8. Elon 98
9. Maine 71
10. Campbell 53
11. Hampton 50
12. UAlbany 47
13. Bryant 32
14. North Carolina A&T 23
 
TIGERS IN THE PROS
Several Tigers have been competing in the professional ranks after their time with the Black & Gold.
 
Carter Runyon was competing for a spot on the Las Vegas Raiders after being signed as an undrafted free agent, being waived on the last day of the 53-man roster deadline then being placed on the practice squad.  It is the second straight year where Towson has had an undrafted free agent signing, with Robert Javier signing with the Tennessee Titans in 2023.
 
Another Towson alum, Grant Udinski '19, will be the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025.  A 2018 CSC Academic All-America® First Team, he spent the last three years as assistant OC for the Minnesota Vikings.
 
In the CFL, Tibo Debaillie '21 is playing his fifth year as a professional, including season four with the BC Lions.  The Belgium native has played 58 career games in the CFL.
 
Tigers in the Pros – 2025
National Football League
--Carter Runyon, Las Vegas Raiders (practice squad)
--Nchabanu Fortaboh, Baltimore Ravens/New England Patriots (rookie invite)
 
Canadian Football League
--Tibo Debaillie, DL: BC Lions
--Robert Javier, DB: Saskatchewan Roughriders (signee)
 
Indoor Football League
--Shane Simpson, RB: Fishers Freight
--Tye Smith, DB: Massachusetts Pirates
 
NEW COACHES
Towson brings in two new coaches to assist the team this year.
 
Adam Neugebauer is the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach after serving in the same role at McNeese State from 2023-24.  The team improved by five victories between seasons and led the Southland in rushing yards per game in 2024.  He also was an offensive coordinator at Slippery Rock, combining to go 22-4 in his time there in 2019 and 2021, and Tiffin.
 
Tyler Phelps takes over as tight ends coach after two years at West Florida as a quarterbacks coach and video coordinator.  He helped the Argos win 15 games in 2023, mentoring Peewee Jarrett to earn over 5,000 passing yards.
 
YOU ARE UP, ROOKIE
Towson is starting a true freshman at quarterback, Andrew Indorf.  Through three games, the Florida native is passing 59.5% with 518 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.
 
It is the first time Towson has started a true freshman since Peter Athens started six games in 2009.
 
Indorf was selected to start at QB above Sean Brown, Towson's starting QB in 2024, and Nathan Kent, the starting QB for the Tigers in 2023.
 
REPLACING THE FRONT SEVEN
Towson had a tall task on defense in the offseason, needing to replace nine defensive starters, including the entire starting lineup on defensive line and at linebacker from 2024.
 
The team's lone returners on defense are each in the secondary: cornerback Myles Brodie and safety Xavier Terry.
 
REINFORCEMENTS INCOMING
Towson has brought in 48 new players for 2025, including 32 true freshmen and 16 transfers.  They add to the 57 returners for a 105-man roster.
           
Newcomers:
--Offense: 13 freshmen, six transfers (31 returners)
--Defense: 15 freshmen, 10 transfers (24 returners)
--Special Teams: Four freshmen (three returners)
 
Of Towson's 105 players, 71 have played just at Towson and 34 are transfers.
 
LAST GAME (MARYLAND 44, TOWSON 17)
(9/13/2025 - COLLEGE PARK, MD.):
Towson's undefeated start to the season came to a close after a 44-17 defeat at FBS opponent Maryland on Saturday afternoon.
Important Stat:
Towson - 84-yard pass in 4th quarter - longest at Towson since 2016
Maryland - Held Towson to 1-for-13 on third down conversions
Top Passer:
Towson - Andrew Indorf: 12-25, 145 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Maryland - Malik Washington: 16-22, 261 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Kemarrion Battles: 7 rush, 16 yards
Maryland - Iverson Howard: 15 rush, 60 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Jaceon Doss: 1 reception, 84 yards, 1 TD
Maryland - Octavian Smith Jr.: 4 receptions, 103 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Kaden White (DB): 7 tackles, 1.0 sack
Maryland - Carlton Smith (LB): 6 tackles, 0.5 sack
 
REPPING THE HOME STATE......
The Towson roster represents the Old Line State well, sporting 43 players from the home state of Maryland.  This includes 10 players from Baltimore City/County: Xzavion Crumb (Baltimore), Chase Dorsey (Parkton), Julius Dorsey (Baltimore), Alijah Hamond (Baltimore), Asaiah Hamond (Baltimore), Cordell Jefferson (Baltimore), Bennett Miller (Timonium), Amari N'nandi Hall (Pikesville), Owen Scheihing (Towson) and Isaiah Yates (Baltimore).
 
...AND THE SUNSHINE STATE
Towson has 14 players from the state of Florida on the roster.  Towson head coach Pete Shinnick was at the University of West Florida (UWF) from 2016-22.  Among the 14 include Fort Lauderdale native John Dunmore, Towson's leading receiver in 2024 with 619 yards.
 
Though a Texas native, Caden Williams, Towson's kickoff specialist, is a UWF transfer who played for Shinnick in 2022.
 
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 broadcast team.
 
SCOUTING YOUNGSTOWN STATE:
Youngstown State enters this weekend with the 14th-ranked scoring offense in FCS with 34.7 points per game, gaining 411 yards of total offense per contest.
 
Junior quarterback Beau Brungard is the team's leading passer, throwing 70.4% for 478 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, and the leading rusher, having 52 attempts for 426 yards and six scores.  Through three games, a trio of Penguins have at least 20 tackles, led by senior defensive back Dayne Hodge with 23 tackles, including one for loss.
 
LAST TIME VS. YSU (YOUNGSTOWN ST. 27, TOWSON ST. 17)
(11/23/1991 - TOWSON, MD.):
Towson State's passing attack led to a 17-13 lead in the third quarter, but Youngstown State, future I-AA national champion, scored the final two touchdowns to win 27-17 in the 1991 season finale.
Important Stat:
Towson St. - Had 318 passing yards on 373 total offensive yards
YSU - Intercepted six Towson passes for +4 turnover margin
Top Passer:
Towson St. - Dan Crowley: 27-55, 318 yards, 2 TD, 6 INT
YSU - Ray Isaac: 10-20, 140 yards, 2 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson St. - John O'Neill: 14 rush, 62 yards
YSU - Tamron Smith: 30 rush, 138 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson St. - Mark Orlando: 9 receptions, 128 yards, 1 TD
YSU - Herb Williams: 3 receptions, 81 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson St. - Mike Arbutina (LB): 15 tackles
YSU - Marcus Evans (LB): 4 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1 INT                                 
 
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. YOUNGSTOWN ST.
--Oct. 15, 1988 - YSU 41, Towson St. 39 (Youngstown, Ohio):
Towson State put up 512 yards of total offense, but five turnovers, including an interception with one minute left on the YSU 6, stopped the Tigers in a 41-39 defeat.  Chris Goetz threw 21-for-34 for 332 yards and two scores while David Meggett rushed for three touchdowns.
 
--Nov. 18, 1989 - YSU 38, Towson St. 7 (Youngstown, Ohio):
Nationally-ranked Youngstown State earned its first-ever I-AA playoff berth after a 38-7 victory over Towson State.  Robbie Jackson rushed 20 times for 111 yards, accounting for over half of Towson State's 215 total offensive yards.
 
--Nov. 10, 1990 - YSU 13, Towson St. 0 (Towson, Md.):
Towson State held the #4-ranked Youngstown State to 13 points, but were shut out by the Penguins with all points being scored in the second quarter.  Each James Dutton and Joe Kreisher had 12 tackles for the Towson defense.
 
CAA FOOTBALL SHAKEUP
CAA Football will undergo changes following the 2025 season.  Villanova, whom Towson will play on Nov. 8, and William & Mary will depart for the Patriot League in football following this season.  The league will add Sacred Heart, currently an FCS independent, starting in the 2026 season.
 
TOWSON WINS THE BATTLE FOR GREATER BALTIMORE
John Dunmore's TD catch with 24 seconds left returned The Battle for Greater Baltimore trophy to Towson as the Tigers defeated Morgan State 27-22 on Sept. 6 in a matchup of the two closest teams in FCS football, separated by 4.6 miles.
 
Towson is now 24-6 all-time against the Bears, having won eight straight games.  Morgan State's last win in the series came on Sept. 26, 2009, a 12-9 victory in Baltimore.
 
CARL RUNK (1936-2024)
The first-ever head coach of Towson football Carl Runk passed away on Nov. 24, 2024 at the age of 88.
 
He served as head coach for three years from 1969-71, including a 6-2 season in 1970.  He also was head coach of Towson men's lacrosse from 1968-98, leading that team to 262 victories and the 1974 DII national championship.  Runk was inducted into the Towson Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.
(information by Pete Schlehr, Towson SID Emeritus)