The Game: Towson (0-2, 0-1 CAA) at South Carolina (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
When: Sat., Sept. 12 – 7 p.m.
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium – Columbia, S.C.
Online Broadcast: SEC Network+
----Broadcasters: Richard Cross (PxP), Charlie Strong (Analyst)
Audio Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: First Meeting
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Towson University football team will play its second straight FBS opponent on Saturday, Sept. 12, taking on South Carolina at 7 p.m.
The game will be broadcast online on SEC Network+; Richard Cross and Charlie Strong will have the call live from the Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. In addition,
Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs will have the radio call on Towsontigers.com.
Towson, currently 0-1 in Coastal Athletic Association play, fell to Navy on the road 42-15 on Sept. 5 to go to 0-2 overall. Southeastern Conference member South Carolina won its non-conference home opener 57-0 vs. Kent State on Sept. 5.
This is the first-ever meeting between these programs. Towson is 0-2 all-time against SEC opponents, falling 38-22 at LSU in 2012 and 38-0 at Florida in 2019.
It is Towson's second straight game in a state capital, having played Navy in Annapolis on Sept. 5. This is also Towson's first game in the state of South Carolina since Aug. 31, 2019, a 28-21 victory over The Citadel in Charleston.
Towson director of athletics Steve Eigenbrot served as a deputy AD at South Carolina before taking the helm of the Towson athletics department.
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%.
CHESTNUT NAMED CAA ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Seth Chestnut was selected as the CAA Rookie of the Week after leading the Tigers in tackles with seven and tackles for loss with 1.5 in the Week 0 contest vs. Maine. Four of his seven tackles came in the fourth quarter.
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.
AIR RAID OFFENSE
Towson's passing game has produced some big passing plays in the early going of the season. So far,
Andrew Indorf has four completions of at least 47 yards and three passing touchdowns of at least 30 yards.
2026 Towson Touchdowns of 30+ Yards
8/27 vs. Maine
--3rd 5:11 - 59-yard TD pass to
Cleveland Charlton
9/5 at Navy
--2nd 14:52 - 48-yard TD pass to
Aaron Enterline
--2nd 7:50 - 30-yard TD pass to
Jacob Zollar
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.
RETURNERS STEPPING UP
Several players who returned to Towson from last season have taken up more important roles this year.
REINFORCEMENTS INCOMING
Towson has brought in 53 new players for 2026, including 27 true freshmen and 26 transfers. They add to the 52 returners for a 105-man roster.
Newcomers:
--Offense: 16 freshmen, nine transfers (25 returners)
--Defense: 10 freshmen, 16 transfers (24 returners)
--Special Teams: One freshman, one transfer (three returners)
Of Towson's 105 players, 69 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 74 career regular season 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)
NEARLY ALL NEW SPECIAL TEAMS
Towson has a very different special teams group from the 2025 season, needing to replace its primary kicker, punter and returners. The lone returner to the group is long snapper
Daniel Anderla, who was named Preseason All-CAA.
Two players have taken over kicking duties: redshirt freshman
Zaydaan Faridi is 2-for-3 on field goals, including a long of 40 yards so far, while redshirt sophomore and Mercyhurst transfer
Max Young is now taking kickoffs.
Towson, Maryland native and Loyola Blakefield graduate redshirt freshman
Owen Scheihing is Towson's new punter. He is currently second in the CAA with 44.6 yards per punt, having two punts over 55 yards.
A couple of transfers have taken over return duties on special teams. Hampden-Sydney transfer Mason Cummingham, the 2025 ODAC Offensive Player of the Year, returns punts while Monroe C.C. transfer
Jashaun Amin, who is third all-time in receiving yards at Monroe, is the primary kickoff returner.
LAST GAME (NAVY 42, TOWSON 15)
(9/5/2026 - ANNAPOLIS, MD.):
In a game of Towson's passing vs. Navy's rushing, Towson fell to FBS opponent Navy 42-15 in the state capital of Annapolis.
Important Stat:
Towson - Outgained Navy 207-21 on passing yards
Navy - First 500+ rushing yard game since 2017 (506)
Top Passer:
Towson -
Andrew Indorf: 13-18, 208 yards, 2 TD
Navy - Braxton Woodson: 3-6, 21 yards
Top Rusher:
Towson -
Kemarrion Battles: 8 rush, 25 yards
Navy - Braxton Woodson: 23 rush, 200 yards, 3 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson -
Aaron Enterline: 2 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD
Navy - Michael Barrow: 2 receptions, 11 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson -
Ben Kumpon (LB): 11 tackles
Navy - MarcAnthony Pakrer (LB): 9 tackles
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 SOUTH CAROLINA:
South Carolina was predicted to finish 11th in the SEC preseason coaches poll.
Redshirt junior LaNorris Sellers is starting for the third year at quarterback with 270 yards and three touchdowns in his first game, throwing for 5,327 yards in his USC career. Six players combined to rush 39 times in game one for 278 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, edge rusher Dylan Stewart, a projected top-10 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, did not play in the first game but has 11 sacks in the previous two seasons.
LAST TIME IN SOUTH CAROLINA (TOWSON 28, THE CITADEL 21)
(8/31/19, CHARLESTON, S.C.):
Towson earned its first victory in dramatic fashion, using a six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive in the final minutes for a 28-21 comeback win over The Citadel.
Important Stat:
Towson - 10 drives, six offensive scoring plays
The Citadel - 71 rushes, 328 rushing yards
Top Passer:
Towson - Tom Flacco: 21-36, 328 yards, 1 TD
The Citadel - Brandon Rainey: 3-4, 24 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Shane Simpson: 9 rush, 74 yards, 2 TD
The Citadel - Brandon Rainey: 33 rush, 169 yards, 1 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Shane Leatherbury: 5 catches, 78 yards
The Citadel - Raleigh Webb: 1 catch, 9 yards, TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Bryce Carter (DL): 14 tackles, 2 FF
The Citadel - Chris Beverly (DB): 7 tackles, 1 FF
IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. FBS OPPONENTS
--Sept. 29, 2012 - #3 LSU 38- Towson 22 (Baton Rouge, La.):
Towson recovered three LSU fumbles and scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns, falling to the #3 team in the country 38-22. Towson had 188 rushing yards to LSU's 158, including Terrance West having 79 yards and two touchdowns.
--Aug. 29, 2013 - Towson 33, UConn 18 (Storrs, Conn.):
Towson outscored UConn 20-8 in the second half to earn a 33-18 victory for the program's first-ever win over an FBS program. Towson earned 201 rushing yards, compared to UConn's 81, including Terrance West rushing for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Telvion Clark racked up 13 tackles.
--Sept. 5, 2015 - ECU 28, Towson 20 (Greenville, N.C.):
Towson pulled to within one score with just under eight minutes left and pushed on a final drive to the ECU 16 but came up short in a 28-20 defeat at East Carolina. Darius Victor broke for 137 rushing yards while Connor Frazier threw for 221 yards and a touchdown.
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 separated 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.
