DOVER, Del. – The Towson University football team's strong second half proved not enough as Delaware State took the lead with 42 seconds remaining to defeat the Tigers 33-28 on Saturday night in Dover.
Towson (0-5) retook the lead with just under five minutes left, having the first two touchdowns of the second half and holding Delaware State (3-2) to just one first down in the final two periods until the home team's final drive. There, Delaware State drove 95 yards for a touchdown with 42 seconds left and held for the win.
Key Stats
Towson had the lead 369-298 on total yards of offense, including 247 passing yards. Towson held Delaware State to 105 rushing yards, the lowest amount of rushing yards against the Tigers in a single game this season.
The Tigers got hurt by four turnovers and two turnovers on downs. Delaware State had one turnover.
Andrew Indorfpassed for over 78%, going 25-for-32 for 247 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. His top target was Aaron Enterline, who made five catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns, including a 75-yard score in the first quarter.
Kemarrion Battlesrushed for a career-best 94 yards on 18 carries, averaging 5.2 yards a rush. He added 13 receiving yards for 107 all-purpose yards.
On defense, TJ Sandsled Towson with seven tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble. Myles Johnsonhad three tackles and broke up two passes.
For Delaware State, Ui Ale was 19-for-29 with 193 yards and a touchdown, also rushing for 71 yards and a score. Jaylin Terzado was his top receiver with eight catches for 82 yards. Lucas Campizta compiled 12 tackles, including one for loss.
Key Situations
1st quarter: Each side had an early turnover, with Towson forcing a fumble in the Delaware State red zone, but an interception and a muffed punt led to Delaware State scoring a field goal and touchdown respectively to start up 10-0 10 minutes in. Towson countered on the next drive on one play as Andrew Indorfthrew downfield to a wide open Aaron Enterlinefor a 75-yard touchdown to pull Towson within three at 10-7.
2nd quarter: Kemarrion Battlespowered Towson on the ground to begin the second quarter, getting Towson to the three-yard line. On third down, Indorf in the pocket found Enterline again in the back of the end zone to give Towson the lead 14-10 3:43 in. Delaware State responded next drive with a QB scramble getting the Hornets to the red zone, and eventually scoring a touchdown. Towson tried a fake punt but threw low, putting the Hornets back in the red zone. DSU capitalized with a TD pass to lead 24-14, 3:47 in the quarter. The Hornets added another field goal off a forced fumble to lead 27-14 at the break.
3rd quarter: Towson's defense began with a three-and-out, capped by a Bryan Lodge10-yard sack. Towson used the short field and had a 7:30, 48-yard drive capped by a four-yard catch by Cleveland Charlton to bring Towson within one score at 27-21 with 5:25 left in the third. An exchange of drives and the deficit stayed at six after three quarters.
4th quarter: Towson's defense forced a punt early, but an interception in the end zone gave the ball back to the Hornets on their own 20. Towson retook the lead on its next drive, with Battles driving down and Xavier Pughfinishing on a direct snap four-yard touchdown to give Towson a 28-27 lead. DSU used some long passes to go down field for its final drive, scoring on a QB scramble for six yards to retake a 33-28 lead with 42 seconds left. Towson attempted laterals on the final play but came up short, falling to the Hornets 33-28.
Overcast, with a high of 59 and low of 54 degrees. Don't forget your umbrella! Overcast in the morning, light drizzle during the afternoon, patchy rain nearby in the evening, overcast overnight.