Towson University Athletics

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Facing its second consecutive FBS opponent, the Towson University football team fell to South Carolina 45-9 on Saturday night.
 
Towson (0-3) put up a strong defensive effort early, trailing by just two scores to South Carolina (2-0) at the half and later, having an Aaron Enterline touchdown again pull the Tigers within two scores, but USC's rushing game led to the home team pulling away in the fourth quarter.
 
The game included a 1:14 weather delay shortly into the third quarter.
 
Key Stats

• Towson did not commit any turnovers in the game, forcing two on South Carolina plus another on downs.  USC had 506 yards of total offense to Towson's 203.
• Andrew Indorf was 16-for-30 for 171 yards and a touchdown, finding Aaron Enterline 10 times for 123 yards and a score.  Kahseim Phillips had four rushes for 15 yards.
• Jaydyn Johnson led the Towson defense with 12 tackles, including a tackle for loss.  Two tigers, Bryan Lodge and Zakaa Brown, forced fumbles, having three and two tackles respectively.
• For South Carolina, LaNorris Sellers was 10-for-23 for 96 yards and an interception, rushing seven times for 119 yards and a score.  Vicari Swain had two punt return touchdowns, combining for 122 punt return yards on three chances.  Tomiwa Durojaiye combined for four tackles and a sack.

Key Situations

• 1^st quarter: Towson's defense stood strong on the first two drives, including Bryan Lodge forcing a fumble to stop the first USC chance.  USC scored first on a 58-yard punt return TD by Vicari Swain with 9:37 left in the period.  Towson held on a missed USC field goal and trailed by seven after one.
• 2^nd quarter: Weston Woodard forced his first career sack to halt USC's progress on third down, forcing the Gamecocks to settle for a 33-yard field goal.  Towson's offense got moving with a couple of completions to Aaron Enterline to enter South Carolina territory, but a couple of penalties stifled the drive.  The other way, Matt Fuller broke away with a 55-yard rushing touchdown.  Andrew Indorf led a passing attack to bring Towson to the red zone, with Zaydaan Faridi converting a 41-yard field goal to get Towson on the board.  Marquis Cooper picked off a deflected pass to stop USC's final drive of the first half and keep the score at 17-3 at the break.
• 3^rd quarter: Another long run got USC a touchdown, this a 58-yard QB break by LaNorris Sellers.  Following a 1:14 weather delay, Towson continued the long passing route, leading to four Enterline catches, the last being a 23-yard touchdown on third and long to pull Towson within 15 at 24-9, 7:03 left in the quarter.  USC drove down the field and went for on 4^th and goal at the three, with an incomplete pass forcing the turnover on downs.  Backed up on its own three, Towson was forced to punt, where Swain scored another touchdown, this one on a 45-yard return.  South Carolina led 31-9 after three quarters.
• 4^th quarter: With both teams fighting against the rain, both sides started to use their reserves.  USC added another couple of rushing touchdowns to seal the game.

Inside the Numbers

• Aaron Enterline earns Towson's second 100+ yard receiving game of the year.  Cleveland Charlton had four catches for 136 yards vs. Maine on August 27.
• Zaydaan Faridi kicked a 41-yard field goal, a new career-high, in a driving rain in the second quarter.
• This is the second year where Towson has played two FBS opponents, the other being 2012 where the Tigers played LSU and Kent State.
• It is the second time in three games where Towson has been hit by a weather delay, the other being the home opener vs. Maine on August 27.

Next Game

• The Battle for Greater Baltimore is on, set for Saturday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. at Unitas against rival Morgan State.
• Tickets for the game are available here: https://www.ticketmaster.com/towson-university-tigers-football-tickets/artist/923025?home_away=home