Undefeated Tigers Visit Struggling Terps

After a devastating home loss to Temple, Maryland (1-2, 1-0 ACC) looks to rebound against the Towson Tigers (3-0, 1-0 CAA). Terrapins Coach Randy Edsall welcomes his former offensive coordinator, Towson Head Coach Rob Ambrose, to College Park.

Ambrose and the Tigers have just cracked the NCAA FCS Top 25 this week at No. 23. While his team is riding their first win streak in years and a young Maryland team struggles, the Towson Coach still understands the challenge of facing an FBS team.

“This is a very good Maryland team and we aren’t fooled by that result against Temple. Maryland just ran into a buzz-saw,” Ambrose said. “Knowing Randy (Edsall) as I do, I know they will come out ‘amped up’ and ready to play. We are going to have our hands full this week.”

Following an emotionally-charged win over Miami, Maryland has dropped their last two contests to rival West Virginia and a widely underestimated Temple team. In his first year as head coach, Edsall is trying to focus his young roster on themselves.

“I am trying to figure out why we are starting so slow. We need to come out and play with energy. When you have a chance to compete you need to go out and give it all that you have,” Edsall said. “This week we have an undefeated Towson team coming in that is ranked 25th in the FCS polls. They are playing very well and are averaging 38 points a game, 468 yards a game [of offense] and have only turned the ball over three times.”

“We understand what they do, but what we need to do this week is focus in on ourselves and make sure that we do what we need to do.”

Maryland’s two largest schools have never met on the gridiron prior to Saturday’s match up in College Park. When this match up was announced 5 years ago, Edsall and Ambrose were in the thick of turning the University of Connecticut football program into a Big East Contender. When Ambrose left Edsall’s staff in 2009, he did not think he’d be facing his former boss a few years later in a game much anticipated by Towson fans.

“We work 365 days every year getting ready for these games. We could be playing the University of ‘Blank’ and we would be excited. We are always ready to play our hearts out,” Ambrose said.

When Ambrose last coached under Edsall, he turned tailback Donald Brown into a 2,000 yard rusher and first-round NFL Draft Pick. This season, Ambrose boasts the highest scoring and rushing offense in the Colonial Athletic Association with 38.3 points and 246 yards per game.

Sophomore quarterback Grant Enders has put up a combined 640 yards of offense in three games this season, 117 on the ground and 527 in the air.

“They are very multiple offensively,” Edsall said of Towson. “Their quarterback has been playing very well offensively. They bring about three different running backs out.”

The Terps also have a sophomore under center. Danny O’Brien broke out in 2010, earning the honors of ACC rookie of the year. He currently ranks fourth in the conference in passing yards. Senior tailback Davin Megget finds himself trying to infuse some experience on a roster with only nine senior starters and backups combined.

Edsall’s roster, while young, has a level of intensity that showed in a nationally televised win over Miami to kick off the season. The Maryland coach does not mind putting underclassmen as he learns how to best use his roster.

“There are going to be some more freshmen who play this week,” Edsall said. “I am trying to find those guys who fit into the process of what we are trying to get done.”

Maryland will be without sophomore defensive back Matt Robinson for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his shoulder. The Terrapin defense is ranked last in the Atlantic Coast Conference, allowing 424 yards per game.

“I have to take a look as a head coach with the young guys that we have playing if we are trying to do too much,” Edsall said. “We haven't tackled well in addition to not executing the plays that we have called. I need to take a look a see what these guys do well and emphasize that.”

On Wednesday evening, Edsall tweeted that his captains selected red jerseys and black pants and helmets. In the beginning of the season, Maryland announced 32 uniform combinations they will be unveiling this season.

Towson, also an Under Armour school, will be wearing their road jerseys for the first time this year.

“The good news is we get to play in the state of Maryland,” Ambrose said. “ Let’s see if we can’t win over somebody else who kind of shares our colors”

“Do I care about Uniforms? Whatever.”

Final: Towson 42, Colgate 17

Towson continued their undefeated season opening run, with a 42-17 win over the Colgate Raiders. The Tigers (3-0, 1-0 CAA) celebrated homecoming in front of the largest student crowd in Johnny Unitas Stadium history.

Head Coach Rob Ambrose’s offense continued its domination this season, with an efficient passing game and a committee of backs on the ground. Sophomore quarterback Grant Enders completed 10 of 15 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown.

Colgate opened the game with a 17–play drive and came away with a field goal and the game’s first lead. The Tigers defense could not contain the Raiders’ committee of backs including quarterback Gavin McCarney. The sophomore signal caller along with junior tailback Zauhn Lewis combined for 11 carries on the 17-play opening drive which included two fourth down conversions.

Towson’s offense came out flat, going three-and-out on their first offensive possession after a bye week.

“If you ask anybody, coming off a bye – period- is not an easy thing to do,” Ambrose said. “Football players are creatures of habit and we try to keep it that way. Getting back into the rhythm of what we do, and how we do, it usually starts off slower.”

“I knew that was going to happen, it didn’t stop me from being ridiculously frustrated by it, but I knew it was going to happen.”

Towson, who had opened each of their previous opening drives this season with scores, instead ended their opening drive against the Raiders with a 4-yard sack on an all-out blitz by the Raiders.

After dishing out a three-and-out right back at Colgate, Towson’s offense looked to redeem themselves on the next drive. They fell short after junior receiver Tom Ryan fumbled what would have been a first down pass.

Colgate, with the ball at the Towson 22-yard-line, turned the ball over on downs after failing to convert on fourth and eight.

The Tigers offense carried their next drive into the second quarter, recording their initial first-down and first points on the night to take a 7-3 lead. Enders was able to manage a 78-yard touchdown drive with long gains in the air to Ryan for 20 yards and sophomore tight end James Oboh for 22 yards.

Freshman tailback Terrence West, who had his first two collegiate touchdowns against Villanova, capped of the drive with his third.

“We came out a little slow, things weren’t clicking like we wanted,” Enders said. “We stuck with the game plan, and eventually we started executing.”

McCarney and the Raiders offense again moved into Towson territory looking for a score, but gave up a 7-yard sack on a long fourth down to set the Tigers offense up for a 8-play, 56-yard touchdown drive. Enders ran in his – touchdown of the year on a two-yard keeper.

The Tigers continued to pile it on in the third quarter, scoring on the first drive of the second half on a 49-yard touchdown reception by senior fullback Tyler Wharton. The next drive, Lewis coughed up the football at mid-field to set the Tigers up for a 3-play drive with junior tailback Dominique Booker breaking for a 15-yard touchdown run.

Junior linebacker Anthony DiSanzo picked off McCarney on the next drive, and again the Tigers’ offense was able to punch in a goal line touchdown rush by West.

The rush by West put the Tigers over the 30-point mark for the third time this season. Prior to this season, Towson had only put up 30 points against an opponent once in the last 3 years. The Tigers offense has outscored opponents in the third quarter 49-7 this season.

Colgate found the end zone for the first time with 14:31 left in the game. The Raiders put together a 74-yard drive on nine plays with Lewis getting the call for the score.

Towson, with backup quarterback Peter Athens under center, set up another touchdown drive with West punching in his third touchdown of the night. West finished the game with 85 yards on 13 carries, to lead all Tigers. The CAA rookie of the week after the Tigers’ last game scored three of his five collegiate touchdowns against Colgate. The other two came against Villanova.

“The advantage to Terrence as a freshman is that he’s a second semester freshman. He’s more mature,” Ambrose said of the military-school transfer. “Terrence’s scope is broad, when he’s good, he’s phenomenal.”

The undefeated Tigers travel to College Park next week to take on the Maryland Terrapins for their last non-conference game of the season. The Tigers are 0-3 against NCAA FBS opponents, with losses to Navy, Northwestern and Indiana. Ambrose will face off against Head Coach Randy Edsall, the former University of Connecticut head coach under whom Ambrose served as offensive coordinator.

Edsall and the Terps lost a devastating home game to the Temple Owls earlier in the day.

“It’s another game, it’s another opponent," Ambrose said. “The good news is we get to play in the state of Maryland. Let’s see if we can’t win over somebody else who kind of share our colors”

“Do I care about Uniforms? Whatever.”

First Quarter: Towson 0, Colgate 3

The Good: Towson's defense has been able to somewhat contain a rolling Colgate offense in the red zone. After allowing a 17-play, 8 minute opening drive, Towson was able to hold the Raiders to just 3 points in the first quarter and dished out 2 3-and-out drives.

The Bad: Towson's defense in between the 20's has been suspect all year, yet they boast one of the best stat lines in the NCAA FCS. Colgate, like most teams, has been able to shove it down the Tiger defense's throat. If not for their red-zone defense, these stat lines would be a lot different.

The Ugly: Towson's offense, a 3 and out and a fumble on what would've been their first 1st-down.

An Idle Week Helps Tigers

Even with a week off from action, the undefeated Tigers (2-0, 1-0 CAA) actually moved up in The Sport Network NCAA FCS Poll. Towson, still just short of cracking the top 25, received 184 votes - up from 116 votes a week ago.

The Tigers return to non conference action this Saturday against Colgate, but having their first conference game early the season has helped boost their national recognition. After their victory for the previous No. 20 ranked Villanova, Towson earned the best record in the CAA as the only team with a conference win.

After a week off, Towson will need an impressive win against the unranked Raiders. They face their biggest challenge of the year next week when they travel to College Park, Maryland to face the Terps.

The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top-25 College Football Poll

Team (First-place votes) Record Points Previous Rank

1. Georgia Southern Eagles (115) 2-0 3,742 1

2. Northern Iowa Panthers (15) 1-1 3,485 2

3. Appalachian State Mountaineers (9) 2-1 3,402 3

4. Montana State Bobcats (1) 2-1 3,179 5

5. Richmond Spiders (11) 3-0 3,082 6

6. William & Mary Tribe (1) 2-1 3,078 4

7. Delaware Blue Hens (1) 2-1 2,918 7

8. North Dakota State Bison (1) 2-0 2,728 8

9. Wofford Terriers 1-1 2,353 9

10. Montana Grizzlies 2-1 2,353 12

11. New Hampshire Wildcats 1-1 2,290 11

12. James Madison Dukes 2-1 1,927 13

13. Chattanooga Mocs 2-1 1,855 14

14. Southern Illinois Salukis 1-1 1,614 15

15. Lehigh Mountain Hawks 2-1 1,596 16

16. Jacksonville State Gamecocks 2-1 1,466 17

17. Massachusetts Minutemen 2-0 1,247 21

18. South Dakota Coyotes 2-1 955 24

19. McNeese State Cowboys 1-1 846 23

20. Sam Houston State Bearkats 2-0 688 NR

21. Eastern Washington Eagles 0-3 594 10

22. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 1-2 568 19

23. Southern Utah Thunderbirds 2-1 546 NR

24. Murray State Racers 2-1 446 NR

25. South Carolina State Bulldogs 1-2 336 25

Others receiving votes: Liberty 333, Jackson State 260, Central Arkansas 249, Old Dominion 240, Youngstown State 228, Towson 184, Maine 105, Indiana State 102, Sacramento State 101, Holy Cross 82, Weber State 52, Bethune-Cookman 50, Tennessee Tech 41, Alabama State 41, Eastern Kentucky 37, Yale 37, Hampton 37, Elon 31, South Dakota State 27, North Dakota 26, Portland State 26, Cal Poly 23, Brown 20, Rhode Island 19, Western Illinois 18, UC Davis 13, Central Connecticut State 13, Stony Brook 11, Penn 10, Villanova 9, Dartmouth 8, Idaho State 7, Campbell 7, Delaware State 6, UT Martin 6, Lafayette 4, Monmouth 3, Southeastern Louisiana 2, Jacksonville 2, Dayton 1, San Diego 1, North Carolina Central 1.

Final: Towson 31, Villanova 10

Full Story Online at Press Box Online
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Towson opened up conference play Saturday night with a stunning 31-10 upset victory against the Villanova Wildcats. Coming off a 42-3 win against the Morgan State Bears, the Tigers (2-0, 1-0 CAA) never trailed to the visiting Wildcats (0-2, 0-1 CAA).

"This team won a national championship," Towson coach Rob Ambrose said. "Just to be uttered in the same breath as them fills you in with an automatic degree of respect."

Towson's second victory of the season doubles its win count from a year ago. Since taking over the program, Rob Ambrose has only one other win in the Colonial Athletic Association, a 2009 road victory against Rhode Island. The Tigers victory marks their first win streak since 2007, when they opened the season with wins over Central Connecticut and Morgan State.

To say this win was long awaited for by Towson students and fans is an understatement. After the game, the student section rushed the field.

"I'm an alum," Ambrose said. "This isn't just a job. This is my home. It's like the thing where the Grinch's hurt blows up -- I don’t smile that much, but this is a hell of a day for Towson."

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Full Story http://www.pressboxonline.com/story.cfm?id=7989

Third Quarter: Villanova

The Good: It's unusual for Towson being on the upside of a turnover battle. It's equally unusual to win the penalty battle. What has Ambrose told these kids to keep them mentally stacked up against the 20th best team in the country with one of the winningest coaches in the FCS?

The Bad: Towson's defense can't keep bending like this and expect not to give up points to an offense that - while young - is very strong and very fast. New quarterback Chris Culicerto scored on his first drive, dodging a few sacks and finding Kenny Miles in the endzone. Villanova's 3 turnovers are what's keeping this defense alive. They need to make tackles in the open field and NOT get blown off the ball to hold this lead.

The Ugly: Towson's O-line was smothered on that 4th and inches attempt.

First Half: Villanova

The Good: Towson's run blocking is the best I've ever seen. 124 yards rushing, 124 yards passing in the first half, with 8 Towson players getting touches.

The Bad: Towson's defense between the 20s is terrible. Open field tacking and getting blown off the line of scrimmage.

The Ugly: Nova in the redzone, 1 fumble, 1 missed field goal.

First Quarter: Towson 7, Villanova 0

Let me preface this post with a personal anecdote, the last time Towson's led Nova, I was a freshman in College and Jermon Bushrod was a Tiger (not a Saint)

The Good: Towson's defense came out tonight with something to prove. They're physically matching up with Nova in a way that I've never seen before. Villanova is a quicker, stronger team. But like all teams, they've had a share of mental errors. Towson's D has been able to stand up to them physically (not outmatch, just stand up) and expose a few of those errors, holding the Wildcats scoreless.

The Bad: The offense is not clicking like they did last week. Enders 47-yard touchdown to Booker was a great play. But his receivers are not getting open, and when they are he's not making the right reads. Part of that is because the O-Line is not facing a middle of the pack MEAC team, they're playing the 20th best team in the country.

The Ugly: Open field tackling. How many times can this defense bend and not break?

Towson Football Live -- Villanova Wildcats

Welcome one and all to my live updates/analysis of Towson Tigers Football. I'll be updating this blog every quarter with analysis. Live Scoring updates via Twitter: Simon_HWT ...

Towson Kicks Off Conference Play against Villanova

Full story available at PressBoxOnline.com


Coming off a 42-3 win against the Morgan State Bears, the Tigers look to double their win count from 2010. The 20th-ranked Villanova Wildcats stand in their way Saturday night.

Towson (1-0) seeks its first win against Villanova (1-0) since 2006. Towson and Villanova are meeting for the eighth time in a series the Wildcats lead, 5-2.

NCAA FCS National Champions two years ago, the Wildcats travel to Johnny Unitas Stadium after a 42-7 loss to Temple during their season opener. Villanova, who graduated nine All-CAA selections from 2010, is 33-9 during the last three seasons, with playoff berths to cap each year. During his 27th season as the Wildcats' head coach, Andy Talley has won more games than any other head coach in school history.

"We are excited for the opportunity to play against a perennial powerhouse like Villanova," Towson coach Rob Ambrose said. "With a Hall of Fame coach and a tremendous team, they present a challenge for any opponent."

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Full story available at PressBoxOnline.com

Towson Quarterback Enders Named CAA Offensive Player of the Week

Towson quarterback Grant Enders, was named Colonial Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Week by CAA officials. The sophomore transfer from Lackawanna college led the Tigers to a 42-3 routing of the Morgan State Bears Saturday night.
Enders completed 15 of 19 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s contest. The Tiger quarterback also ran for 47 yards on six carries and a touchdown against the Bears.
“Grant managed the game plan and his offense extremely well last night,” Towson Head Coach Rob Ambrose said. “It is a great testament to our entire offense that Grant was able to perform so well. This honor speaks well of both Grant and his teammates.”
Enders ability to manage the tempo of the game, while managing the Towson attack led to four touchdown drives. Each of which, were of multiple plays, and dominated the time of possession. Towson held on to the football almost twice as long as Morgan was able to.
Enders is the first Tiger to be named as the CAA Offensive Player of the Week since Sean Schaefer earned the award in October, 2007. The all-time leading passer in Tigers history, Schaefer led Towson in the greatest comeback in program history, defeating the Richmond Spiders after a come-from-behind winning drive in the final 22 seconds of the game.

Towson Tops Morgan In Season Opener

Towson opened up the 2011 college football season with a dominating, 42-3 win against the Morgan State Bears. Towson's offense dominated the Bears, amassing 534 yards Saturday night.

Sophomore quarterback Grant Enders was 15-19 for 197 yards passing and threw for three touchdowns. During his first game in a Tigers uniform, Enders also rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown on six carries.

"The thing about his particular offense, with coach Ambrose calling the offense, this is completely different from what they did last year," Morgan coach Donald Hill-Eley said. "[Enders] did a good job isolating the game and slowing us down."

After junior receiver Tyrone Hendrix returned the opening kickoff 69 yards for Morgan, the Bears took a quick 3-0 lead less than three minutes into Saturday night's game. This would be their only lead of the night. Towson's offense responded with a six-play, 69-yard drive, capped off by a Grant Enders touchdown pass to senior fullback Tyler Wharton.

The Tigers looked to hold onto their momentum after junior safety Jordan Dangerfield intercepted junior quarterback Don Dickerson at midfield. Enders and the Towson offense tried to piece together another touchdown drive, but failed to convert on a fourth down attempt eight plays later.

"There were three plays in the first half that should we have done the right way, this would have been a lot more points a lot sooner," Ambrose said. "We had the opportunity to not hit base hits, but to hit home runs, and we whiffed three times in the first half."

Towson's offense would score with 1:43 left during the first half, on a Gerard Sheppard 25-yard cross. Sheppard, one of Towson's five NCAA FBS transfers, scored his first collegiate touchdown after transferring from Connecticut -- where Ambrose originally recruited him while offensive coordinator for the Huskies.

The Tigers scored three times during the third quarter. After throwing his second touchdown of the night to Wharton, Enders broke out on an 18-yard run, juking out both Morgan safeties in his first rushing touchdown as a Tiger.

"It was one of those plays you see in practice a lot, the two safeties were drifting and we caught them sleeping with a quick count," Enders said.

Then, with 42 seconds left during the quarter, sophomore tailback Sterlin Phifer, a Boston College transfer, pounded in a two-yard run on the goal line. Phifer's run put Towson higher than the 30-point mark for the second time since Ambrose took over the program.

With Towson's offense dominating the time of possession, the defensive unit was able to stay fresh, and hold Morgan without a touchdown. With only 160 yards of total offense, Morgan's sole production for the night came on special teams. The Bears special teams unit racked up 200 return yards on four returns.

"We put our defense's back against the wall, time and time again, and that has to change," Ambrose said. "We're about to go play in the toughest conference in the country and there's no way we can try doing that."

Towson began the fourth quarter with a 12-play, 85-yard Touchdown drive, this time led by redshirt sophomore Peter Athens under center. Athens, who started as a true freshman before tearing his ACL in 2009, battled with Enders through the summer for the starting quarterback position. Athens ended the night 3-3 for 73 yards and a touchdown.

"We progressed through camp and gave all of these kids an equal opportunity, which is a difficult thing to do in evaluating play calls against different defenses," Ambrose said about the quarterback battle. "Grant showed the most consistency, and when it comes down to it, that's the name of the game. Grant's performance during camp was staggering."

Towson kicks off conference play Saturday, Sept. 10, at home against the Villanova Wildcats.

Guess who's back...

After some time off, I've decided to reactivate this blog to provide live scoring updates and in-depth commentary for Towson University Football.

Towson v Morgan Tonight, leggo.