TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University football team is ready to begin the 2026 season, opening at home on a Thursday night for the first time in nearly 20 years.  The Tigers host Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) foe Maine on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. under the lights at Johnny Unitas® Stadium for the annual Gold Rush game.
 
Tickets for the game are available at am.ticketmaster.com/towson/buy.  The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a Gold Rush jersey, presented by Ledo Pizza.  For more information on Towson tickets, including group experiences and fundraising opportunities, contact the Towson Ticket Office at 410-704-4501 or by emailing 4tigertix@towson.edu.
 
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.
 
This is the 2026 season opener for both teams.  Both squads finished 6-6 overall last year, with Towson being 4-4 in the league while Maine finished 5-3.  Towson won its last two games of 2025, defeating Campbell 35-31 on Nov. 22, while Maine fell in its last two games of 2025, losing at New Hampshire 33-27 on that same date.
 
This is the 16th all-time meeting between Towson and Maine and first since Sept. 14, 2019: then #8 Towson defeated #7/9 Maine 45-23 in Orono, to date Towson's only regular season game between two top-10 FCS opponents.  Maine leads the all-time series 8-7, winning 35-28 on Nov. 3, 2018, the last meeting in Towson.
 
This is the earliest Towson has ever played in a season, surpassing last year's Thursday, August 28 season opening 27-7 win at Norfolk State.  It is Towson's first Thursday night home opener since defeating Central Connecticut State 20-10 on Aug. 30, 2007.  It is the ninth time in Towson history where the Tigers began the season on a Thursday, including the fifth time at home.
 
This is the first time as a CAA member where Towson opens against a league opponent.  Towson last opened against a conference foe as a Patriot League member on Sept. 2, 2000, defeating Fordham on the road 36-13.
 
FOURTH YEAR IN PETE SHINNICK ERA
Towson enters its fourth season under head coach Pete Shinnick in 2025.  Under coach Shinnick, Towson has earned three victories over then-top-15 teams and has finished at least .500 in CAA play in each of his first three years.
 
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.).
 
THREE TIGERS RECOGNIZED IN CAA PRESEASON AWARDS
Three players were recognized in the CAA Preseason Honors, led by KJ Brooks being CAA Preseason All-Conference while each Andrew Indorf and Daniel Anderla being CAA Preseason All-Conference Honorable Mention.  All three are honored with preseason league awards for the first time.
 
Brooks, a former FCS Freshman All-American in 2023, has been Towson's primary player at right tackle for the past three seasons.  In 2025, the senior from Olney, Maryland started all 12 games for the Tigers, having starts at right tackle, left guard and left tackle.
 
Indorf, the 2025 CAA Co-Rookie of the Year, was Towson's starting quarterback in all 12 games last year, throwing 59.6% for 2,344 yards, 16 touchdowns and just four interceptions, helping Towson have the fewest interceptions among CAA teams.
 
Anderla worked as Towson's long snapper in all 12 games as a redshirt freshman in 2025.  Towson's kicker and punter each were all-conference honorees last season, including Caden Williams setting a Towson football single season record for best field goal percentage at 88.2%.
 
THE 2025 STARTING QUARTERBACK RETURNS
Andrew Indorf, the 2025 CAA Co-Offensive Rookie of the Year and Jerry Rice Award finalist, has returned to Towson as the presumptive starting quarterback for 2026.              Indorf is set to be the first Towson quarterback to be the primary starter in back-to-back years since Tom Flacco was a two-year starter in 2018-19.
 
Indorf was the first Towson player to be a CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year since Shane Simpson in 2016 and the first to be a Jerry Rice Award finalist since Mason Woods in 2022.
 
The sophomore will have a new receiver group to work with this year with Towson returning 20.9% (589 of 2,813) of its receiving yards from 2025.  Cleveland Charlton leads all returning receivers with 12 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns in 2025.
 
HELP WANTED
Among a combined 22 starters from last season (offense/defense), Towson returns just three, all being on offense: quarterback Andrew Indorf and offensive linemen KJ Brooks and Joden Nelson.
 
CAPTAINS AT THE READY
Shinnick named Shamir Boyd, KJ Brooks, Andrew Indorf, Ben Kumpon, Matthieu Longa and Joden Nelson as permanent captains for the 2026 campaign.
 
REINFORCEMENTS INCOMING
Towson has brought in 51 new players for 2026, including 26 true freshmen and 25 transfers.  They add to the 53 returners for a 104-man roster.
 
Newcomers:
--Offense: 16 freshmen, nine transfers (26 returners)
--Defense: Nine freshmen, 15 transfers (24 returners)
--Special Teams: One freshman, one transfer (three returners)
 
Of Towson's 104 players, 68 have played just at Towson and 36 are transfers.
 
FRESHMEN FORTHCOMING
Towson brought in 26 true freshmen for this season after bringing in 27 true freshman last year.  The 2025 freshmen class ties the largest freshmen class at Towson since 2014.  Including 23 true freshmen brought in for 2024, Coach Shinnick has had three of the largest four freshmen classes at Towson since 2014, with 26 freshmen brought in for 2017.  Of the 26 freshmen for 2026, 14 come from the home state of Maryland.
 
TOWSON PICKED SIXTH IN CAA PRESEASON POLL
The Tigers were predicted to finish sixth in the league in the preseason coaches poll.  Towson received 93 points in the poll.  Defending CAA co-champion Rhode Island is predicted to finish first followed by Monmouth and Elon.
2026 CAA Football Predicted Order of Finish (first-place votes)
1. Rhode Island (12 first-place votes) 144
2. Monmouth 119
3. Elon 115
4. New Hampshire 106
5. Stony Brook (1 first-place vote) 105
6. Towson 93
7. Maine 88
8. Campbell 56
9. Bryant 50
10. Sacred Heart 49
11. UAlbany 35
12. North Carolina A&T 28
13. Hampton 26
 
TIGERS IN THE PROS
Several Tigers have been competing in the professional ranks after their time with the Black & Gold.
 
Carter Runyon was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, being elevated to the active roster on Sept. 28 and making his pro debut vs. the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 5.  He played 13 games for the Raiders last season.
 
In addition, three former Tigers currently serve as coordinators in the NFL.  Grant Udinski '19 returns as the Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator while Brian Fleury '02 is now the new offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and Brian Duker '11 is the defensive coordinator of the New York Jets.
 
In the CFL, Tibo Debaillie '21 is playing his sixth year as a professional, including season five with the BC Lions.  The Belgium native has played 71 career games in the CFL.
 
Tigers in the Pros – 2026
National Football League
--Carter Runyon, TE: Las Vegas Raiders
--Coordinators:
            --Brian Duker, New York Jets defensive coordinator
            --Brian Fleury, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator
            --Grant Udinski, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator
 
Canadian Football League
--Tibo Debaillie, DL: BC Lions
 
Indoor Football League
--Tyrell Greene Jr., RB: San Diego Strike Force
--Tye Smith, DB: Orlando Pirates (injured)
 
NINE GRADUATES SUITING UP FOR TOWSON
Nine Tigers are suiting up as college graduates, including two who earned a Towson degree.
Towson graduates (2) -
Joden Nelson                          Jordan Sampson
Graduates of other schools (7) -
RJ Adams (N.C. A&T)            Breyden Byrd (W&M)
Marquis Cooper (Buffalo)       Mason Cunningham (Hampden-Sydney)
Josh Gaffney (UAlbany)                     Jaydyn Johnson (Lindenwood)
Salif Nikiema (Eastern)
 
NEW ASSISTANTS
Towson brings in several new assistant coaches for the 2026 campaign.
 
Victor Santa Cruz is the new special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach, a former coach/coordinator under Shinnick at Azusa Pacific from 2001-05.  He took over as head coach of Azusa Pacific after Shinnick left for UNC Pembroke, leading the Cougars to 84 wins, four league titles and five playoff appearances.
 
Braelon Roberts moves interleague to coach wide receivers at Towson after being in the same role at Maine.  He formerly coached wide receivers at Bucknell, Fresno State, Central Washington and Black Hills State.
 
Kal-El Statham is back at Towson as the edges coach after being a QC in 2023.  Between his time at Towson, Statham was a defensive line coach at Florida Atlantic and Fairmont State.
 
Nick Verna takes over as the tight ends coach after coaching tight ends at Furman for five seasons.  Verna has also had stops at the University of Charleston and Akron.
 
Maurice "Moe" Banks serves as the teams chief of staff after five seasons as head coach of Gettysburg.  He formerly coached on defense at Penn and at his alma mater of Georgetown.
 
BOLSTERING THE RUNNING GAME
Towson has added a pair of transfer running backs who each have over 1,000 career rushing yards to help bolster a group which lost its primary runner from 2025.  Kemarrion Battles is Towson's leading returner from last year, averaging 4.6 yards a carry for 374 yards and three touchdowns.
 
Towson brings in Xavier Pugh, who rushed for 1,225 yards and 24 touchdowns at Wingate, including 1,008 yards last year, while Tristen Kenan has 1,138 yards combined in two seasons between Maine and Gannon.
 
LAST GAME (TOWSON 35, CAMPBELL 31)
(11/22/2025 - TOWSON, MD.):
Towson sent off the seniors in style with a Cleveland Charlton 18-yard TD catch with 38 seconds left to secure a 35-31 comeback victory vs. Campbell.
Important Stat:
Towson - First 5+ passing TD game since Sept. 30, 2023
Campbell - Had 27 first downs to Towson's 16
Top Passer:
Towson - Andrew Indorf: 16-26, 196 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
Campbell - Kamden Sixkiller: 27-37, 258 yards, 1 TD
Top Rusher:
Towson - Winston Watkins (QB): 9 rush, 40 yards
Campbell- Ethan Lawrence: 13 rush, 66 yards, 2 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Lukkas Londono: 3 receptions, 80 yards, 2 TD
Campbell - Randall King: 8 receptions, 121 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Myles Brodie (DB): 11 tackles, 1 BrUp
Campbell - Lakeem Rudolph (LB): 10 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1 INT
 
REPPING THE HOME STATE......
The Towson roster represents the Old Line State well, sporting 47 players from the home state of Maryland.  This includes 12 players from Baltimore City/County: Xzavion Crumb (Baltimore), Chase Dorsey (Parkton), Julius Dorsey Jr. (Baltimore), Alijah Hamond (Baltimore), Asaiah Hamond (Baltimore), Tristen Kenan (Baltimore), Jai Nettles (Lutherville-Timonium), Amari N'nandi Hall (Pikesville), Harrison O'Connell (Towson), Owen Scheihing (Towson), TJ Turner (Windsor Mill) and Isaiah Yates (Baltimore).
 
Towson's 47 Maryland natives come from nine different counties plus Baltimore City.
 
......AND ACROSS THE EASTERN USA
Towson has players from 17 different states, including 15 (and the District of Columbia) east of the Mississippi River.  Not including Maryland, the most are from Virginia (15), Pennsylvania (10), New Jersey (8) and Florida (7).
 
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 FloCollege, the exclusive streaming home of the CAA.  Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs return as the Towson football broadcast team.
 
SCOUTING MAINE:
Maine is coming off a six-win campaign last year, matching its best win total since its 10-win year and CAA champion season in 2018.
 
The Black Bears will have a new starting quarterback, helped by two Preseason All-CAA offensive linemen: redshirt junior Anthony Iliano and senior Andrew Kocan.  The team returns redshirt sophomore running back Rashawn Marshall, who rushed 128 times for 684 yards last season.  Two returning defensive players were named All-CAA Honorable Mention: redshirt junior defensive lineman Chris Bacon had 35 tackles and four sacks while graduate student defensive back Jamaree Gibson had 34 tackles and five pass break-ups.
 
LAST TIME VS. MAINE (TOWSON 45, MAINE 23)
(9/14/2019 - ORONO, MAINE):
At 17-16 in the third quarter, #8 Towson scored 28 unanswered points to take down defending CAA champion #7/9 Maine 45-23.
Important Stat:
Towson - +4 turnover margin, zero turnovers
Maine - 401 passing yards, 68 rushing yards
Top Passer:
Towson - Tom Flacco: 20-34, 232 yards, 1 TD
Maine - Chris Ferguson: 28-49, 401 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Yeedee Thaenrat: 9 rush, 24 yards, 4 TD
Maine - Emmanuel Reed: 8 rush, 22 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Chris Clark: 4 catches, 64 yards, 1 TD
Maine - Earnes Edwards: 6 catches, 116 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - SJ Brown (DB): 9 tkls., 1 TFL, 1 INT, 1 BrUp
Maine - Myles Taylor (DB): 8 tkls., 2 TFL
 
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Towson will open its season on a Thursday night for the ninth time in program history and second season in a row.  All-time, Towson is 6-2 on Thursday season opening games, including 5-0 against FCS competition.
 
Thursday Season Opening Games - Towson
Sept. 3, 1998 - W 15-10 vs. Morgan State
Sept. 5, 2002 - W 49-28 vs. Morgan State
Sept. 1, 2005 - W 29-26 vs. Morgan State
Aug. 30, 2007 - W 20-10 vs. Central Connecticut State
Sept. 2, 2010 - L 17-51 at Indiana
Aug. 30, 2012 - L 21-41 at Kent State
Aug. 29, 2013 - W 33-18 at Connecticut
Aug. 28, 2025 - W 27-7 at Norfolk State
 
BATTLE FOR GREATER BALTIMORE - SEPT. 19, 2026
The next chapter of The Battle for Greater Baltimore will be written on Sept. 19 as Towson and Morgan State, the two closest teams in FCS football be seperated by 4.6 miles, will meet at Unitas Stadium.
 
Last season, a John Dunmore 18-yard touchdown catch with 24 seconds left gave Towson a 27-22 victory over Morgan State in Baltimore.  The Tigers are 24-6 all-time vs. the Bears, having won eight straight games dating back to 2011.  Morgan State's last win in the series came in 2009.
 
CHALLENGING FBS COMPETITION
The Tigers will be playing two games against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams this year, playing at Navy from the American Athletic Conference on Sept. 5 and at South Carolina from the Southeastern Conference on Sept. 12.
 
Having played at least one FBS opponent every fall season played (except COVID 2020) since 2008, this is just the second year where Towson is playing two FBS teams.  Towson took on Kent State and LSU in 2012.
 
DO WE KNOW YOU?
With changes to the non-conference schedule and new CAA opponents, Towson will play several opponents in 2026 either for the first time or the first time in several years.
            Aug. 27 vs. Maine - first meeting since 2019
            Sept. 5 at Navy - first meeting since 2008
            Sept. 12 at South Carolina - first meeting
            Sept. 26 at Delaware State - first meeting since 2014
            Nov. 7 at Sacred Heart - first meeting
 
Towson will play five teams in rematches from 2025: Morgan State on Sept. 19, Monmouth on Oct. 3, Stony Brook on Oct. 10, Campbell on Oct. 17 and Elon on Nov. 21.