By Packy Moore

TOWSON GAME NOTES

https://towsontigers.com/documents/2024/8/28/2024_Towson_FB_Game_Notes__Cincinnati_.pdf

The Game: Towson (0-0, 0-0 CAA) at Cincinnati (0-0, 0-0 Big 12)
When: Sat., Aug. 31 – 2:30 p.m.
Where: Carson Field at Nippert Stadium – Cincinnati, Ohio
Online Broadcast: Big 12 Now/ESPN+
—-Broadcasters: Eric Rothman (PxP), Jerod Cherry (analyst)
Audio Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
—-Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: First Meeting

CINCINNATI – The Towson University football team begins the 2024 season with a challenge against an FBS opponent, playing at Cincinnati on Saturday, August 31 at 2:30 p.m.

The game will air live on Big 12 Now/ESPN+, with Eric Rothman and Jerod Cherry on the call live from Carson Field at Nippert Stadium.  In addition, Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs will have the radio call on towsontigers.com.

Towson, entering the second season under head coach Pete Shinnick, finished 5-6 overall and 4-4 in Coastal Athletic Association play in 2023.  Cincinnati, which joined the Big 12 Conference in 2023, went 3-9 overall and 1-8 in the league in its first season under head coach Scott Satterfield.

This is the first all-time meeting between Towson and Cincinnati.  Towson last played a Big 12 opponent in 2022 with a defeat at West Virginia on Sept. 17.  Cincinnati last played an FCS opponent in 2022 with a victory vs. Kennesaw State.

This is Towson’s first trip to the state of Ohio since the 2012 season opener, where the Tigers fell at Kent State.  All-time in games in the state of Ohio, Towson is 1-6, including games at Ashland, Central State, Dayton, Kent State and Youngstown State.  Its lone win was a 21-15 victory at Ashland on Oct. 27, 1979.

SECOND YEAR IN PETE SHINNICK ERA
Towson enters its second season under head coach Pete Shinnick in 2024.  In 2023, the Tigers earned two road wins over then top-15 programs New Hampshire and William & Mary en route to 4-4 in CAA play and 5-6 overall.  Towson retained its entire coaching staff from 2023.

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.).

RUNYON – PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
Carter Runyon has been honored as a FCS Preseason All-American by each STATS Perform (First Team) and FCS Football Central (Second Team).  Runyon has also been named to the watch list for the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the Shrine Bowl 1000.

The first-ever Towson DI tight end to earn All-America honors in 2023, being Second Team by the Associated Press, Runyon led all CAA tight ends in receiving yards with 549 in 2023. He also led Towson with 43 catches and four receiving touchdowns.

He is a three-time all-league honoree, including 2023 All-CAA First Team with Towson.  At Shenandoah, he twice was All-ODAC: 2022 Second Team at tight end and 2021 Third Team at offensive line.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNDEFEATED 1974 TIGERS
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Towson State College’s (TSC) undefeated 1974 team.  The Tigers went 10-0 that year in DIII under head coach Phil Albert, including two shutouts.

TSC allowed just 9.7 points per game and 190.3 yards a contest that year, with opponents averaging 3.3 yards per offensive play led by Joe Kelly (78 tackles), John Carmichael (66 tackles, 3 INT) and Billy Mills (39 tackles, 5 INT).  On offense, Dan Dullea led DIII with a 61% completion rate for 1,861 yards and 18 touchdowns.

FOUR TIGERS RECOGNIZED IN 2024 CAA PRESEASON AWARDS
Four Tigers were recognized on the CAA preseason awards. Three players were named to the 2024 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team: Ralph Paige Jr. at offensive line, Carter Runyon at tight end and Keegan Vaughan at kicker.  In addition, Dion Crews-Harris was selected as CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Honorable Mention.  All four earned their first-ever CAA Preseason Honors.

BATTLE FOR GREATER BALTIMORE SERIES EXTENDED THROUGH 2027
In July 2021, Towson and Morgan State announced an extension of the Battle for Greater Baltimore series through the 2027 season. The teams are separated by five miles, the closest pair of teams in all of FCS play.

Towson defeated Morgan State 20-10 in Baltimore on Sept. 16.  Towson leads the all-time series 22-6, winning the last six.  The two teams are set to play on Sept. 7 in Towson.

13 GRADUATES SUITING UP FOR TOWSON
13 Tigers are suiting up as college graduates, including seven who earned a Towson degree.
Towson graduates (7) –
Anthony Delle Donne              Ernie Smith
Malik Jackson                         Brockman Wallace
Brady McElhaney                    Chris Watkins
Nathan Kent

Graduates of other schools (6) –
Carlos Davis (UMass)
John Gioia (Wagner)
Da’Kendall James (Norfolk State)
Justin Ritter (James Madison)
Kam Snell (Gannon)
Justin Toler (Norfolk State)

RECEIVER DEPTH
Towson has a lot of depth in those catching the football, returning four players who have at least 500 career receiving yards.

TOWSON PICKED NINTH IN CAA PRESEASON POLL
The Tigers were predicted to finish ninth in the league in the preseason coaches poll for the second straight year.  Towson received 114 points in the poll.  2023 CAA co-champions Villanova, Richmond and UAlbany ranked 1-3 in the preseason poll respectively.
2024 CAA Football Predicted Order of Finish (first-place votes)
1. Villanova (9), 217
2. Richmond (1), 189
3. UAlbany (3), 179
4. William & Mary, 175
5. Delaware (3), 163
6. Elon, 157
7. New Hampshire, 150
8. Rhode Island, 142
9. Towson, 114
10. Monmouth, 95
11. Campbell, 83
12. Hampton, 62
13. Maine, 57
14. North Carolina A&T, 49
15. Bryant, 46
16. Stony Brook, 42

TIGERS IN THE PROS
Several Tigers have been competing in the professional ranks after their time with the Black & Gold.

Robert Javier was an undrafted free agent by the Tennessee Titans into the NFL, appearing in the team’s opening preseason game.

In the first year of the United Football League, four Tigers made inaugural rosters.  Darius Victor headlined the crew as the league’s 2024 Sportsman of the Year, which honors service off the field and excellence on the field.  Jesus GIbbs was signed mid-year by the Michigan Panthers, helping the team reach the playoffs in his first professional year.

Tigers in the Pros – 2024
National Football League
—Robert Javier, DB: Tennessee Titans (preseason)

Canadian Football League
–Tibo Debaillie, DL: BC Lions

United Football League
–Tom Flacco, QB: San Antonio Brahmas
—Jesus Gibbs, DL: Michigan Panthers
–Elorm Lumor, DL: St. Louis Battlehawks
–Darius Victor, RB: Memphis Showboats

Arena Football League
–Caleb Smith, WR: Albany Firebirds

Indoor Football League
–Shane Simpson, RB: Bay Area Panthers

VAUGHAN NAMED TO FRED MITCHELL AWARD WATCH LIST
Keegan Vaughan has been placed on the 2024 Fred Mitchell Award Preseason Watch List.  The Fred Mitchell Award is given annually to the top place-kicker in FCS, DII, DII, NAIA and NJCAA for excellence on the football field and in the community.

The 2023 All-CAA Second Team selection has been Towson’s primary place-kicker for the Tigers the past three years, amassing 168 total points off 31 made field goals and 75 made extra points, having a 83.3% field goal conversion rate last year.

HOMEGROWN QUARTERBACKS
Of Towson’s six quarterbacks on the roster, five reside in the home state of Maryland.

#7 Carlos Davis, Gr. – Baltimore, Md.
UMass grad transfer, went to Mergenthaler Vocational-Tech
#15 Nathan Kent, Gr. – Eldersburg, Md.
Towson graduate and 2023 starter, went to Liberty H.S.
#18 Jack Pellicciotti, R-Fr. – Eldersburg, Md.
Redshirted in 2023, went to Liberty H.S.
#16 Scott Smith III, R-So. – Bel Air, Md.
Played in games in 2021 and 2022, went to St. Paul’s
#6 Winston Watkins, Fr. – Pasadena, Md.
True freshman from Mount Saint Joseph’s High

MATTHEWS IN TOWSON TOP-10 IN RUSHING TDS
Devin Matthews has moved into the top-10 all-time in Towson history in career rushing touchdowns, standing tied for eighth.  In his third year with Towson, he has 23 career rushing touchdowns.
Career Rushing Touchdowns – Towson History
1. Terrance West – 84 (2011-13)
2. Darius Victor – 41 (2013-16)
3. Jason Corle – 33 (1996-99)
4. Brian McCarty – 32 (1991-94)
5. Tony Vinson – 29 (1992-93)
6. Dan Ricker – 26 (1983-87)
t7. Devin Matthews – 23 (2021-pres.)
7. David Meggett – 23 (1987-88)

CREWS-IN TO THE QUARTERBACK
A graduate of Dunbar High in Baltimore, Dion Crews-Harris was named CAA Preseason Honorable Mention All-Conference this year at defensive line.

In his first year at defensive line after moving to the position from fullback, Crews-Harris was Towson’s leader in sacks until the final game of the year, finishing with five.  He also was second on the team with 7.5 tackles for loss.

TOWSON FOOTBALL PHRASES
The Towson football team is spurred on by a couple of phrases unique to the Black & Gold.

ARETE! (prononuced r-ah-TAY)
–Arete is the Greek word for “excellence of any kind,” to live up to your fullest potential.  Shinnick brought Arete to Towson football from West Florida, which he built as the culture around West Florida’s mascot, the Argonauts.

Goh Tigers
–The official slogan of the Towson University Athletics department, Goh Tigers references the Baltimore dialect and connects to Towson’s strong history to the Greater Baltimore area.

Special Forces
–The Towson special teams unit is referred to as special forces by the team.  The unit has several different plays and formations, which are confirmed in pregame walkthroughs.

LAST GAME (TOWSON 31, RHODE ISLAND 30)
(11/18/2023 – TOWSON, MD.):
Using three quarterbacks and coming back from down 11, Towson sent its seniors off on a high note, using a 12-yard Chris Watkins rushing TD in the final minute to win 31-30.
Important Stat:
Towson – Held URI to 50% on red-zone scoring (3-6)
URI – Three players with 130+ all-purpose yards
Top Passer:
Towson – Nathan Kent: 11-17, 188 yards, 1 TD
URI – Kasim Hill: 23-36, 359 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson – Chris Watkins: 8 rush, 77 yards, 2 TD
URI – Ja’Den McKenzie: 31 rush, 143 yards, 2 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson – Carter Runyon: 3 catches, 103 yards, 1 TD
URI – Kahtero Summers: 7 catches, 163 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson – Jamal Gay (LB): 12 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT
URI – Evan Stewart (LB): 10 tackles, 1 FF, 1 BrUp

INTERNATIONAL TIGERS
Towson’s influence is growing across the world. Three Towson players hail from outside the United States.
—Sahil Bhullar, OL: Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
—Mazio Randall, DL: Nassau, The Bahamas
—Prabdeep Singh-Mann, LB: Hamilton, Ontario
—Florian Staehler, OL: Köln, Germany

In the last 15 years, Towson has also had former players from Australia, Belgium, Finland and Norway.

REPPING THE HOME STATE
The Towson roster represents the Old Line State well, sporting 42 players from the home state of Maryland.  This includes eight players from Baltimore City/County: Dion Crews-Harris (Baltimore), Carlos Davis (Baltimore), Anthony Delle Donne (Baltimore), Nick Gamble (Windsor Mill), Tyrell Greene Jr. (Baltimore), Rishon Holmes (Baltimore), Scott Smith III (Brooklandville), Kam Snell (Owings Mills) and Isaiah Yates (Baltimore).

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 radio team.

SCOUTING CINCINNATI:
Cincinnati has been predicted to finish 14th in the Big 12 in the preseason coaches poll under second year head coach Scott Satterfield.

The Bearcats will have a new starting quarterback this season after the departure of Emory Jones. LSU transfer Corey Kiner was Cincinnati’s top rusher last season, averaging 5.5 yards a carry for 1,047 yards and five touchdowns.  Among the top defensive returners include redshirt junior linebaker Jack Dingle, with 53 tackles last year, and classmate defensive lineman Dontay Corleone, who had 39 tackles and three sacks in 2023.

LAST TIME VS. FBS OPPONENT (MARYLAND 38, TOWSON 6)
(9/2/2023, COLLEGE PARK, MD.):
Towson fell in its season opener at FBS Maryland 38-6 in the
first game of 2023.
Important Stat:
Towson – Keegan Vaughan – 2-for-2 on field goal attempts
Maryland – Scored touchdowns on five of first seven drives
Top Passer:
Towson – Nathan Kent: 16-31, 128 yards
Maryland – Taulia Tagovailoa: 22-33, 260 yards, 3 TD
Top Rusher:
Towson – Devin Matthews: 12 rush, 48 yards
Maryland – Roman Hemby: 12 rush, 58 yards, 1 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson – Da’Kendall James: 4 catches, 49 yards
Maryland – Corey Dyches: 6 catches, 108 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson – Mason Woods (LB): 8 tackles, 1 QBH
Maryland – Beau Brade (DB): 6 tackles, 1 BrUp

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.

POIST, MOREKAS TO BE INDUCTED INTO TOWSON ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
Among the inductees into the Towson Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024 include former linebacker Bobby Poist and current broadcaster Spiro Morekas.  They will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Oct. 18.

Poist played at Towson from 1980-83, earning a then Towson-record 31 sacks (now 2nd all-time) and being third with 252 tackles.  He anchored a 1983 Towson State team which allowed just 7.3 points per game, leading the team with a program single season record 17 sacks, adding 65 tackles.

Morekas, a 1983 Towson graduate, has been the play-by-play voice of Tiger football, men’s basketball and men’s lacrosse since 1991.  He also is the coaches show host for all three sports and was formerly Towson’s golf coach from 1989-94.

CAA FOOTBALL SHAKEUP
CAA Football has undergone changes for the 2024 season, including bringing in a new member.  Bryant, which formerly played in the Big South, begins CAA play this season.

Two CAA Football members will play their final year in the conference in 2024.  Full CAA member Delaware is headed to Conference USA while associate member Richmond, which Towson will play on Nov. 2, is going to the Patriot League.

COURTESY TOWSON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS