CAA PLAY BEGINS

The 50th anniversary of the undefeated season and your complete rundown.

Volleyball Also Plays At 4pm

By David Vatz, Towson Sports Media

Towson Football Begins CAA Play at No. 5/4 Villanova

The Game: Towson (1-1, 0-0 CAA) at No. 5/4 Villanova (2-0, 0-0 CAA)
When: Sat., Sept. 14 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Villanova Stadium – Villanova, Pa.
Online Broadcast: FloSports
----Broadcasters: Sam Kuperman (PxP), Steve Pinone (Analyst)
Audio Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: Villanova leads 12-6

VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Towson University football team will start CAA play in a big way, challenging No. 5/4 Villanova, a 2023 league co-champion, on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 3:30 p.m.

The game will air online on FloSports, with Sam Kuperman and Steve Pinone on the call live from Villanova Stadium. Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs will also have the radio call on Towsontigers.com.

Each team is playing the CAA opener on Saturday. The Tigers won The Battle for Greater Baltimore last Saturday with a 14-9 victory vs. Morgan State to stand at 1-1 overall. Villanova, ranked #5 in the STATS FCS Poll and #4 in the AFCA Coaches Poll, won at Colgate 28-3 on Saturday to be 2-0 on the year.

Towson and Villanova will meet for the 19th time. At Villanova on Nov. 11, 2023, the Wildcats won 33-10 to lead the all-time series 12-6. Previously on Nov. 5, 2022, Towson won at home over Villanova 27-3.

This is Towson's lone conference game until Oct. 5. The Tigers are set to play three ranked teams in a row: #5/4 Villanova followed by #2 North Dakota State then, after a bye week, #13/14 William & Mary.

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.

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 three preseason games.

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 170 total points off 31 made field goals and 77 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.)
t7. 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 in 2023 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 14, MORGAN STATE 9)
(9/7/2024 - TOWSON, MD.):
Towson retained The Battle for Greater Baltimore trophy with a 14-9 victory vs. Morgan State.
Important Stat:
Towson - Did not allow a red zone score
Morgan St. - Had a +2 turnover margin
Top Passer:
Towson - Carlos Davis: 21-28, 209 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Morgan St.- Tahj Smith: 13-20, 163 yards, 1 TD
Top Rusher:
Towson - Devin Matthews: 11 rush, 95 yards
Morgan St. - Jason Collins: 6 rush, 34 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Jaceon Doss: 3 receptions, 67 yards
Morgan St. - Joseph Kennerly: 1 reception, 74 yards, 1 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Rodney Roane Jr. (LB): 8 tackles, 1.0 sack, 2.0 TFL
Morgan St. - Elijah Williams (DL): 8 tackles, 2.0 sacks

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 VILLANOVA:
Villanova, the 2024 conference preseason favorite which shared the 2023 CAA title with Richmond and UAlbany, stands first in the league in scoring defense this year with 10 points allowed a game.

Graduate student quarterback and 2024 CAA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Connor Watkins leads the team in passing, throwing for 337 yards and two touchdowns, as well as rushing, having 7.8 yards a carry for 125 total yards and three TDs. Redshirt freshman running back Isaiah Ragland gets 6.5 yards a carry, having 123 yards and two scores. A 2023 All-CAA linebacker, Brendan Bell is the team leader in tackles with 21.

LAST TIME VS. VILLANOVA (#13/18 VILLANOVA 33, TOWSON 10)
(11/11/2023, VILLANOVA, PA.):
Towson suffered its lone road loss to an FCS opponent of the season in a 33-10 defeat at #13/18 Villanova.
Important Stat:
Towson - Watkins's 75-yard TD rush - longest Towson offensive play of the year
Villanova - Held Towson to nine first downs
Top Passer:
Towson - Nathan Kent: 10-21, 53 yards
Villanova - Connor Watkins: 15-24, 299 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Top Rusher:
Towson - Chris Watkins: 6 rush, 90 yards, 1 TD
Villanova - Jalen Jackson: 14 rush, 85 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - Carter Runyon: 4 catches, 34 yards
Villanova - Rayjuon Pringle: 5 catches, 180 yards, 2 TD
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - Daniel Raymond (LB): 13 tackles, 2.5 TFL
Villanova - Shane Hartzell (LB): 7 tackles, 0.5 TFL

IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. VILLANOVA
--Sept. 10, 2011 (Towson, Md. - Towson 31-10):
Towson won its first home CAA game under coach Rob Ambrose with a 31-10 victory over #20 Villanova, shutting out the Wildcats in the first half with a 14-0 advantage and not trailing the rest of the way. It was Towson's first win against a ranked opponent since 2007.

--Oct. 27, 2012 (Villanova, Pa. - Towson 49-35):
Towson earned a game with 590 yards of total offense, breaking away in the third quarter to win 49-35 over Villanova, at the time tied for first place in the CAA. The Tigers had 321 rushing yards, including 144 yards and two touchdowns from Terrance West.

--Sept. 15, 2018 (Villanova, Md. - Towson 45-35)
Towson came back from down 14 early with 35 consecutive points for a 45-35 victory at #10 Villanova, its first win over a top-10 opponent since 2013. Tom Flacco had a second-straight 300+ yard passing game. After this win, Towson will be ranked for the first time since 2014 and will stay ranked the rest of the year.

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.

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