9-01-2023 4:21am

TU'S SHINNICK OPENS

TOWSON FOOTBALL STARTS SHINNICK ERA AT MARYLAND

The Game: Towson (0-0, 0-0 CAA) at Maryland (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
When: Sat., Sept. 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: SECU Stadium – College Park, Md.
Linear Broadcast: Big Ten Network
----Broadcasters: Joe Beninati (PxP), Anthony Herron (Analyst), Justine Ward (sideline)
Audio Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: Maryland leads 2-0

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Towson University football team will kick off the 2023 season and the first game under new head coach Pete Shinnick on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Maryland at 3:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.

Check your local listings for the Big Ten Network; Joe Beninati, Anthony Herron and Justine Ward will have the call live from SECU Stadium. In addition, the audio broadcast will be on towsontigers.com, with Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs on the call.

For those wishing to attend the game in College Park, fans can purchase tickets through the Maryland tickets website. Season and single-game tickets for Towson football home games are available by visiting https://am.ticketmaster.com/towson/. For any questions regarding tickets for Towson events, call the Towson Athletics ticket office at 410-704-4501 or email dkogok@towson.edu.

Both teams are coming off winning seasons last year. Towson finished 6-5 overall, including winning its last four games, and 4-4 in the CAA (now Coastal Athletic Association) in 2022, defeating Hampton 27-7 in the final contest. Maryland went 8-5 overall and 4-5 in the Big Ten Conference last year, winning the Duke's Mayo Bowl 16-12 over N.C. State in its last game.

This is the third all-time meeting between Towson and Maryland, with all games occurring in College Park. Maryland has won the first two meetings, 28-3 on Oct. 1, 2011 and 63-17 on Sept. 9, 2017. This is Towson's first game against a Big Ten opponent since the Maryland meeting in 2017.

Towson takes on a Maryland team coached by Mike Locksley, former Towson Tiger from 1988-91. Locksley, a defensive back with the Tigers, was Towson's leader in tackles with 76 in 1991 and was an assistant coach in 1992.

A NEW ERA OF TOWSON FOOTBALL BEGINS IN 2023
It is a new year for Towson as the Tigers are set for their 54th season. It is also the first season for new head coach Pete Shinnick.

It is a new look Towson team with 42 new players joining in their first year with Towson, including 26 transfers and 16 true freshmen or first-year players. The offense returns six starters while the defense returns five.

GIBBS NAMED TO SHRINE BOWL 1000, REESE'S SENIOR BOWL WATCHLIST
Jesus Gibbs was selected to the 2024 Shrine Bowl 1000, being named one of the top NFL draft eligible college players in the country. The 1,000 players, selected by NFL scouts and college personnel, are in contention to play in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl in Texas. He was also selected to the Reese's Senior Bowl Watchlist for the second consecutive year.

In 24 games in his Towson career since transferring in from South Carolina, Gibbs stands with 69 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Gibbs will look to be the second Towson player in the Shrine Bowl, with Tye Smith being the first in 2015.

HUNTER HONORED AS STATS PERFORM PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
D'Ago Hunter was recognized as a 2023 STATS Perform Preseason All-American Third Team as a punt returner.

Last season, Hunter became Towson's first All-American was 2018, amassing 1,207 all-purpose yards off 639 kickoff yards, 195 punt return yards, 262 rushing yards and 111 receiving yards, adding three special teams touchdowns of at least 74 yards each.

In 2022, Hunter was third in FCS in yards per punt return (16.2) and fourth in FCS in combined kick return yardage (834).

THREE TIGERS RECOGNIZED IN 2023 CAA PRESEASON AWARDS
Three Tigers were recognized on the CAA preseason awards: D'Ago Hunter earned 2023 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team at kick returner while Jesus Gibbs and Robert Javier were preseason all-conference honorable mention.

Hunter, a 2022 STATS Perform All-American and 2022 CAA Special Teams Player of the Year, finished the year with 1,207 all-purpose yards, including 639 on kickoffs, adding three special teams touchdowns.

Gibbs was 2022 All-CAA Second Team at defensive line with a team-high five sacks and eight tackles for loss, totaling 44 tackles.

Javier was tied for first in the CAA last year with 12 pass break-ups, including a pair of pick sixes.

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 two teams will alternate hosting rights each year. The teams are separated by five miles, the closest pair of teams in all of FCS play.

The game heads to Morgan State on Sept. 16. Towson leads the all-time series 21-6, winning the last five, including a 29-21 victory last year at Unitas.

21 GRADUATES SUITING UP FOR TOWSON
Several Tigers are playing as college graduates. Towson has 21 total graduate players.
Towson graduates (10) -
Matthew Akuchie Malik Jackson
Alex Desire Robert Javier
Jamal Gay Charles Peeples
Jesus Gibbs Frank Stettner
D'Ago Hunter Daniel Thompson

Graduates of other schools (11) -
Antonio Howard (Northern Michigan)
Kamari Jackson (Delaware State)
Da'Kendall James (Norfolk State)
Daviyon Johnson (Monmouth)
Mike Police (West Florida)
Jabari Reddock (Stony Brook)
Justin Ritter (James Madison)
Josh Roberts (Lafayette)
Makye Smith (Stony Brook)
Justin Toler (Norfolk State)
Tylen Wallace (Missouri Western State)

TOWSON PICKED NINTH IN CAA PRESEASON POLL
The Tigers were predicted to finish ninth in the league in the preseason coaches poll. Towson received 85 points in the poll. 2022 CAA co-champions William & Mary and New Hampshire ranked first and second in the poll with 195 and 179 votes respectively.

2023 CAA Football Predicted Order of Finish (first-place votes)
1. William & Mary (13), 195
2. New Hampshire (1), 179
3. Richmond, 159
4. Delaware (1), 149
5. Elon, 146
6. Rhode Island, 135
7. Villanova, 129
8. Monmouth, 94
9. Towson, 85
10. North Carolina A&T, 70
11. UAlbany, 64
12. Campbell, 62
13. Maine, 40
14. Stony Brook, 38
15. Hampton, 30

TIGERS IN THE PROS
Towson made its mark in the Canadian Football League, with four former Towson players being part of CFL rosters in week one. Three players have competed in multiple games this season: Tibo Debaillie, Andrew Garnett and Tyrrell Pigrome.

In 2022, Darius Victor was the Offensive Player of the Year in the reformed United States Football League (USFL). He returned to the New Jersey Generals in 2023, finishing third in the league with 554 rushing yards, adding seven combined touchdowns.

Two more Towson players played in the XFL in 2023, including Tye Smith, who played five seasons in the National Football League.

Tigers in the Pros – 2023
Canadian Football League
--Tibo Debaillie, DL: BC Lions
--Andrew Garnett, OL: Edmonton Elks
--Tyrrell Pigrome, QB: Ottawa Redblacks
--Roman Wahrheit, OL: Ottawa Redblacks (practice squad)

Indoor Football League
--Shane Simpson, RB: Quad City Steamwheelers
--Caleb Smith, WR: Iowa Barnstormers

United States Football League
--Darius Victor, RB: New Jersey Generals

XFL
--Elorm Lumor, DL: St. Louis Battlehawks
--Tye Smith, DB: Orlando Guardians

GO D'AGO GO
D'Ago Hunter was a force on special teams last season, having three touchdowns on returns, including two on kickoffs and one on a punt.

In his career, Hunter has three kickoff returns for touchdowns, one shy of the Towson record of four held by Derrick Joseph from 2011-14. Hunter has four career special teams touchdowns, with his other being a 92-yard touchdown return vs. Bucknell on Oct. 19, 2019.

In his career, Hunter has 2,006 kickoff return yards with the Tigers, including 639 last season. The program record is 2,177 yards by Julian Blair from 1990-92.

QUARTERBACK COMPETITION.....
With Tyrrell Pigrome finishing his collegiate career last season, the Tigers had a quarterback position battle with several competitors. (numerical order below)

#9 Sean Brown, R-Jr.
Spent last three years at Liberty University
#14 Zack Jackson, R-So.
University of Maryland transfer after 2021 redshirt season
#15 Nathan Kent, R-Jr.
Played in four career games from 2021-22
#16 Scott Smith III, R-So.
Starting quarterback in 2022 season opener
#18 Jack Pellicciotti, Fr.
Led MPSSAA in passing yards last two years of high school

EXPERIENCED WR CORPS
Towson has strong, returning depth on the WR unit, with six of the top seven wide receivers in receiving yards in 2022 returning this season.

Wide Receivers (in order of leaders of receiving yards)

Name	Seasons/Games	Career Stats (TU)
Da'Kendall James	2022-pres. \| 11 games	46 rec., 520 yds., 3 TD
Zay Perkins	2022-pres. \| 10 games	30 rec., 366 yds., 5 TD
Brady McElhaney	2021-pres. \| 21 games	12 rec., 110 yds.
Daniel Thompson IV	2019-pres. \| 28 games	32 rec., 403 yds., 1 TD
Lukkas Londono	2021-pres. \| 12 games	8 rec., 51 yds.
Sam Reynolds	2022-pres. \| 11 games	11 rec., 51 yds.

PETE SHINNICK - NEW TOWSON HEAD COACH
On Dec. 11, 2022, Pete Shinnick was announced as the new head coach of Towson football. He becomes the fifth coach in program history.

Shinnick comes to Towson after starting the program at West Florida, leading the Argonauts to the 2019 NCAA DII national title and the 2017 NCAA DII title game. Including going 56-21 in six seasons at West Florida from 2016-22 (no season in 2020 COVID year), Shinnick has a career record of 159-67, including being the head coach at UNC Pembroke and Azusa Pacific.

Shinnick takes over for Rob Ambrose, who served as Towson's head coach from 2009-22. Towson has had five head coaches in program history: Carl Runk (1969-71), Phil Albert (1972-91), Gordy Combs (1992-2008), Ambrose (2009-22) and Pete Shinnick (2023-pres.).

LAST GAME (TOWSON 27, HAMPTON 7)
(11/19/2022 - TOWSON, MD.):
Towson sent out its seniors in style, winning its fourth straight game with a 27-7 victory over CAA newcomer Hampton in the season finale.
Important Stat:
Towson - Outscored Hampton in all four quarters
Hampton - Held Towson without offensive TD in final 39 min.
Top Passer:
Towson - Tyrrell Pigrome: 12-21, 140 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Hampton - Malcolm Mays: 12-25, 119 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Joachim Bangda: 11 rush, 81 yards
Hampton - Darran Butts: 10 rush, 39 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Zay Perkins: 2 catches, 38 yards, 1 TD
Hampton - Jadakis Bonds: 5 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Robert Javier (DB): 2 tackles, 5 BrUp, 1 INT, 1 TD
Hampton - Ali Shockley (DB): 11 tackles, 1 INT

INTERNATIONAL TIGERS
Towson's influence is growing across the world. Three Towson players hail from outside the United States, including two from Canada.
--Sahil Bhullar, OL: Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
--Samuel Obiang, DL: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
--Florian Staehler, OL: Köln, Germany

Towson has also had former players from Belgium, Finland and Norway.

REPPING THE HOME STATE
The Towson roster represents the Old Line State well, sporting 41 players from the home state of Maryland. This includes five players from Baltimore City/County: Dion Crews-Harris (Baltimore), Anthony Delle Donne (Baltimore), Tyrell Greene Jr. (Baltimore), Rishon Holmes (Baltimore) and Scott Smith III (Brooklandville).

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 MARYLAND:
Maryland was predicted to finish fourth in the Big Ten East Division in the preseason coaches poll.

Redshirt senior quarterback Tualia Tagvailoa, who has been named to several preseason watch lists including the Maxwell Award for top FBS player in the country, is Maryland's all-time leader in passing yards with 7,879 and passing touchdowns with 51, helping the Terrapins score 28.2 points a game in 2022. On the defensive side, the team's top three tacklers return to a unit which averaged 23.2 points allowed per game last season.

LAST TIME VS. MARYLAND (MARYLAND 63, TOWSON 17)
(9/9/2017 - COLLEGE PARK, MD.):
Despite outpassing its opponent on Ryan Stover's first career start in the game, Towson fell at Maryland 63-17 in its second game of the season.
Important Stat:
Towson - Had 210 passing yards to Maryland's 167
Maryland - Scored touchdowns on nine of first 11 finished drives
Top Passer:
Towson - Ryan Stover: 21-36, 210 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Maryland - Kasim Hill: 13-16, 163 yards, 2 TD
Top Rusher:
Towson - Ryan Stover: 13 rush, 52 yards
Maryland - Ty Johnson: 5 rush, 124 yards, 2 TD
Top Receiver:
Towson - Rodney Dorsey: 3 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD
Maryland - DJ Moore: 7 catches, 97 yards, 2 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Diondre Wallace (LB): 7 tackles
Maryland - Jermaine Carter, Jr. (LB): 8 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 FF

IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. MARYLAND
--Oct. 1, 2011 (College Park, Md. - Maryland 28-3)
Towson's only defeat in its eventual 6-1 start saw the Tigers outgain Maryland 378-335 in the game, but a 14-point fourth quarter by Maryland led the Terrapins to victory. Peter Athens passed for 217 yards, finding Tom Ryan seven times for 103 yards.

--Sept. 9, 2017 (College Park, Md. - Maryland 63-17):
Ryan Stover, playing in his first start at quarterback, went 21-for-36 with 210 yards and added 52 rushing yards, passing to Shane Simpson seven times for 53 yards.

RANDY BIELSKI TO ENTER TOWSON ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
Among the inductees into the Towson Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023 includes former defensive back and kicker Randy Bielski. He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Oct. 6.

The two-time All-American left Towson with then-program records in tackles (288), interceptions (13) and scoring (169), playing from 1976-79. He led Towson to the 1976 Stagg Bowl for an NCAA DIII national title game appearance.

He was the first-ever Towson Tiger to be drafted into the National Football League, being taken as a kicker in the 12th round by the Baltimore Colts in 1980.

CAA FOOTBALL SHAKEUP
CAA Football has undergone changes for the 2023 season, beginning with a new name. The CAA is now the Coastal Athletic Association, officially changing its name on July 20, formerly the Colonial Athletic Association.

CAA Football also welcomed in two new members: Campbell, which joined as a full member this year, and North Carolina A&T, which was a full member last season but joins the CAA Football ranks this year.

The CAA now has 15 football members. A 16th, Bryant, will join starting in the 2024 season.

SAM REYNOLDS
Wide receiver Sam Reynolds will be on the sideline Saturday after having a general medical condition on Aug. 15. The redshirt sophomore played all 11 games last season.Print Friendly Version