9-05-2025 10:10am

Battle For Baltimore

The Battle for Greater Baltimore – Towson Football Plays at Morgan State

The Game: Towson (1-0, 0-0 CAA) @ Morgan State (0-1, 0-0 MEAC)
When: Sat., Sept. 6 – 7 p.m.
Where: Hughes Stadium – Baltimore, Md.
Broadcast: ESPN+
----Broadcasters: Philip Schoener, Emory Hunt
Audio Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
----Broadcasters: Spiro Morekas (PxP), Gordy Combs (Analyst)
Series: Towson leads 23-6

The next chapter of The Battle for Greater Baltimore will be written on Saturday, Sept. 6 as the Towson University football team plays at Morgan State at 7 p.m.

The game will be broadcast online on ESPN+ with Philip Schoener and Emory Hunt on the call. In addition, Spiro Morekas and Gordy Combs will have the radio call on Towsontigers.com from Hughes Stadium in Baltimore.

Towson, from the Coastal Athletic Association, won its season opener at Norfolk State on Thursday, Aug. 28 with a 27-7 victory over the Spartans. Morgan State, from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference fell in its first game at South Alabama 38-21 on Saturday, Aug. 30.

Towson and Morgan State are the closest teams in FCS play, separated by less than five miles. Towson has won the last seven meetings between the two teams, leading the all-time series 23-6. The Tigers won 14-9 on Sept. 7, 2024 in Towson in the last meeting. The last win for Morgan State came on Sept. 26, 2009, a 12-9 victory for the Bears in Baltimore.

The Tigers begin the year with four non-conference games, with this game being the second in a row on the road. Towson will play in Maryland for three straight games, capped by the home opener vs. Youngstown State on Sept. 20.

THIRD YEAR IN PETE SHINNICK ERA
Towson enters its third season under head coach Pete Shinnick in 2024. Under coach Shinnick, Towson has a 13-11 record, including three victories over then-top-15 teams, including a 34-27 win vs. then-#12/10 William & Mary on Oct. 5, 2024.

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.).

BRODIE, TERRY EARN PRESEASON ALL-CAA
Towson defensive backs Myles Brodie and Xavier Terry have been placed on the 2025 CAA Preseason All-Conference Team. In addition, two more Tigers, John Dunmore and Rodney Roane Jr., were chosen as CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Brodie was a 2024 All-CAA Third Team defensive back for Towson, having the team lead with two interceptions and nine pass break-ups. The redshirt senior cornerback added 44 tackles and had a four-game streak with at least one pass break-up.

Terry has been in the top-two for Towson in tackles in each of the past two seasons, including last year tallying up 82 tackles, five pass break-ups, an interception and two forced fumbles. The redshirt senior safety had at least four tackles in all 12 games last season.

In his first full year with the team in 2024, Dunmore was Towson's leader in receiving yards with 619 and receiving touchdowns with five. Also serving as a special teams returner, the redshirt senior wide receiver had at least 35 receiving yards in 10 games last year.

Roane played all 12 games at linebacker in 2024, finishing second on the team with four sacks, adding 58 tackles and five tackles for loss. The senior had at least three tackles in all 12 games last season.

IT'S TIME TO START RUNNING!
Towson will have new players carrying the ball with all running backs recording yards last year having departed, including Devin Matthews and Tyrell Greene Jr., who each averaged 6+ yards a carry in 2024.

Five running backs will compete for playing time, including two transfers: Al Wooten II from Duke and Trey Engram from Kansas State, and three true/redshirt freshmen, Kemarrion Battles, JaVon Ford II and Kahseim "Caddy" Phillips.

MOVING UP THE SACKS LIST
During the Shinnick era, Towson has caused more pressure on the quarterback with 33 sacks in 2024. With 29 sacks in 2023, Towson has had its top two sack totals in a season since 2013. Towson's six sacks vs. N.C. A&T on Nov. 16, 2024 ties the most amount in a game for the Tigers since having seven at Villanova on Oct. 27, 2012.

Season Sacks - Towson
2013 - 41 2019 - 22 (no 2020 season, COVID)
2014 - 28 2021 - 22
2015 - 22 2022 - 21
2016 - 20 2023 - 29
2017 - 26 2024 - 33
2018 - 23 2025 - 3

17 GRADUATES SUITING UP FOR TOWSON
17 Tigers are suiting up as college graduates, including 10 who earned a Towson degree.

Towson graduates (10) -
Myles Brodie CJ McClendon
Sean Brown Sam Reynolds
John Dunmore Mike Swain
Jean Germain Xavier Terry
Nathan Kent Kaden White

Graduates of other schools (7) -
Bryce Butler (Ohio) Shamar Graham (Virginia Union)
Carnell Davis (Duquesne) Myles Turner (UMass)
Wyatt Draeger (San Diego St.) Al Wooten (Duke, Mercer)
Ja'Mez Drummer (Old Dominion)

RECEIVER DEPTH
Towson has a lot of depth in those catching the football, currently having three players who have at least 700 career receiving yards.

Player	2025 Stats	Career Stats
#19 Zay Perkins	1 rec., 36 yds., 1 TD	71 rec., 846 yds, 10 TD
#0 John Dunmore	5 rec., 61 yds, 1 TD	57 rec., 779 yds, 6 TD
#14 Lukkas Londono	2 rec., 22 yds	54 rec., 700 yds, 1 TD
#11 Jaceon Doss	1 rec., 33 yds, 1 TD	30 rec., 483 yds, 4 TD
#12 Sam Reynolds	1 rec., 5 yds	28 rec., 278 yds, 1 TD

TOWSON PICKED SIXTH IN CAA PRESEASON POLL
The Tigers were predicted to finish sixth in the league in the preseason coaches poll. Towson received 108 points in the poll. Defending CAA co-champion Rhode Island is predicted to finish first followed by Monmouth and Villanova.

2025 CAA Football Predicted Order of Finish (first-place votes)
1. Rhode Island (8 first-place votes) 163
2. Monmouth (4 first-place votes) 142
3. Villanova (2 first-place votes) 139
4. Stony Brook 125
5. UNH 119
6. Towson 108
7. William & Mary 104
8. Elon 98
9. Maine 71
10. Campbell 53
11. Hampton 50
12. UAlbany 47
13. Bryant 32
14. North Carolina A&T 23

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

Carter Runyon was competing for a spot on the Las Vegas Raiders after being signed as an undrafted free agent, being waived on the last day of the 53-man roster deadline then being placed on the practice squad. It is the second straight year where Towson has had an undrafted free agent signing, with Robert Javier signing with the Tennessee Titans in 2023.

Another Towson alum, Grant Udinski '19, will be the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025. A 2018 CSC Academic All-America® First Team, he spent the last three years as assistant OC for the Minnesota Vikings.

In the CFL, Tibo Debaillie '21 is playing his fifth year as a professional, including season four with the BC Lions. The Belgium native has played 58 career games in the CFL.

Tigers in the Pros – 2025
National Football League
--Carter Runyon, Las Vegas Raiders (practice squad)
--Nchabanu Fortaboh, Baltimore Ravens/New England Patriots (rookie invite)

Canadian Football League
--Tibo Debaillie, DL: BC Lions
--Robert Javier, DB: Saskatchewan Roughriders (signee)

Indoor Football League
--Shane Simpson, RB: Fishers Freight
--Tye Smith, DB: Massachusetts Pirates

NEW COACHES
Towson brings in two new coaches to assist the team this year.

Adam Neugebauer is the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach after serving in the same role at McNeese State from 2023-24. The team improved by five victories between seasons and led the Southland in rushing yards per game in 2024. He also was an offensive coordinator at Slippery Rock, combining to go 22-4 in his time there in 2019 and 2021, and Tiffin.

Tyler Phelps takes over as tight ends coach after two years at West Florida as a quarterbacks coach and video coordinator. He helped the Argos win 15 games in 2023, mentoring Peewee Jarrett to earn over 5,000 passing yards.

TWO STARTING QUARTERBACKS BACK
Going into 2025, Towson has two players who were at one point the starting quarterback for the Tigers.
Sean Brown (Gr. QB - Apex, N.C.)
--Started nine of 12 games for Towson in 2024
--Threw 63% for 1,974 yards, 12 TD and 8 INT

Nathan Kent (Gr. QB - Eldersburg, Md.)
--Started all 11 games in 2023
--Threw 58% for 2,123 yards, 14 TD and 6 INT

Also in the mix will be redshirt sophomore Jack Pellicciotti, redshirt freshman Winston Watkins and freshman Andrew Indorf.

REPLACING THE FRONT SEVEN
Towson had a tall task on defense in the offseason, needing to replace nine defensive starters, including the entire starting lineup on defensive line and at linebacker from 2024.

The team's lone returners on defense are each in the secondary: cornerback Myles Brodie and safety Xavier Terry.

REINFORCEMENTS INCOMING
Towson has brought in 47 new players for 2025, including 31 true freshmen and 16 transfers. They add to the 58 returners for a 105-man roster.

Newcomers:
--Offense: 12 freshmen, six transfers (31 returners)
--Defense: 15 freshmen, 10 transfers (24 returners)
--Special Teams: Four freshmen (three returners)

Of Towson's 105 players, 70 have played just at Towson and 35 are transfers.

LAST GAME (TOWSON 27, NORFOLK STATE 7)
(8/28/2025 - NORFOLK, VA.):
Towson saw a strong defense and a true freshman quarterback lead the Tigers to a 27-7 victory at Norfolk State, the program's first season opener victory since 2022.
Important Stat:
Towson - Held Norfolk State scoreless through first three quarters
Norfolk State - Outgained Towson 238-187 in the air
Top Passer:
Towson - Andrew Indorf: 14-26, 187 yards, 3 TD
Norfolk State - Otto Kuhns: 19-27, 222 yards
Top Rusher:
Towson - Kemarrion Battles: 16 rush, 79 yards
Norfolk State - Kevon King: 11 rush, 31 yards
Top Receiver:
Towson - John Dunmore: 5 receptions, 61 yards, 1 TD
Norfolk State - DreSean Kendrick: 11 receptions, 125 yards
Standout Defensive Player:
Towson - CJ McClendon (LB): 6 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1 sack
Norfolk State - David Ojiegbe (DL): 5 tackles, 2.5 sacks

REPPING THE HOME STATE......
The Towson roster represents the Old Line State well, sporting 43 players from the home state of Maryland. This includes 10 players from Baltimore City/County: Xzavion Crumb (Baltimore), Chase Dorsey (Parkton), Julius Dorsey (Baltimore), Alijah Hamond (Baltimore), Asaiah Hamond (Baltimore), Cordell Jefferson (Baltimore), Bennett Miller (Timonium), Amari N'nandi Hall (Pikesville), Owen Scheihing (Towson) and Isaiah Yates (Baltimore).

...AND THE SUNSHINE STATE
Towson has 14 players from the state of Florida on the roster. Towson head coach Pete Shinnick was at the University of West Florida (UWF) from 2016-22. Among the 14 include Fort Lauderdale native John Dunmore, Towson's leading receiver in 2024 with 619 yards.

Though a Texas native, Caden Williams, Towson's kickoff specialist, is a UWF transfer who played for Shinnick in 2022.

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 broadcast team.

SCOUTING MORGAN STATE:
Morgan State enters his fourth year under the leadership of Damon Wilson, who earned his 100th career head coaching victory last season, including his 12 years at Bowie State.

Graduate student Kobe Muasau is in his first year starting at quarterback for the Bears, throwing 63.6%, 156 yards and a pick in his first game. Morgan St. ran 61.5% of the time vs. South Alabama, led by redshirt sophomore running back Jason Collins Jr. with 83 yards and two touchdowns. With over 200 career tackles at Morgan, redshirt senior linebacker Erick Hunter has a team-best 10 tackles through game one.

LAST TIME VS. MORGAN ST. (TOWSON 14, MORGAN ST. 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

IMPORTANT DATES: TOWSON VS. MORGAN STATE
--Sept. 29, 2001 (Baltimore, Md. - Towson 20-17 (OT)):
Morgan State took the lead with a touchdown with 5:16 left,then a seven-play, 93-yard drive ended on a Noah Read TD to push Towson ahead 17-14. Morgan State forced overtime with a last second field goal. Ed Kulic hit an 18- yard field goal to give Towson the lead; a Morgan State fumble ended its OT chance as Towson took a 20-17 overtime victory.

--Sept. 1, 2005 (Towson, Md. - Towson 29-26):
Down 26-13 late in the third quarter, Towson rallied with 16 unanswered points, with Ron Halbruner's 29-yard field goal with one second left to give Towson the 29-26 victory. In his first-ever collegiate game, Sean Schaefer (Hall of Fame Class of 2021) threw for 344 yards while Nick Williams rushed for 141 yards.

--Sept. 2, 2017 (Towson, Md. - Towson 10-0):
The revival of the Battle for Greater Baltimore series at Towson saw a defensive battle at Unitas, with the Tigers taking a 10-0 victory. All points came in the second quarter. The Towson defense forced four turnovers and held Morgan State from scoring on three red zone appearances.

CAA FOOTBALL SHAKEUP
CAA Football will undergo changes following the 2025 season. Villanova, whom Towson will play on Nov. 8, and William & Mary will depart for the Patriot League in football following this season. The league will add Sacred Heart, currently an FCS independent, starting in the 2026 season.

BATTLE FOR GREATER BALTIMORE - SEPT. 6, 2025
The next chapter of The Battle for Greater Baltimore will be written on Sept. 6 as Towson and Morgan State, the two closest teams in FCS football be seperated by 4.6 miles, will meet at Hughes Stadium in Baltimore.

Last season, Towson won 14-9 on Sept. 7 at home to win its seventh straight in the series and improve to 23-6 all-time against the Bears. Morgan State's last win in the series came on Sept. 26, 2009, a 12-9 victory in Baltimore.