Towson Announces Its Arrival

Towson quarterback Grant Enders faked a handoff and rolled right.  His primary target, Mike Evans, had beaten the Villanova defender as Enders fired a pass in his direction.  The pass led Evans a yard too far and the ball fell to the turf at Johnny Unitas Stadium in Baltimore, MD.  And yet, this incomplete pass was the play of the game.

You may ask how a fourth quarter incompletion of a 31-10 contest could be the most important play of the game.  The answer is that this play is indicative of the Tigers’ collective mindset for the 2011 season.  The team is not content with running out the clock despite a three-touchdown lead against one of last season’s FCS semi-finalists with less than four minutes remaining.  This aggression served notice to the rest of the Colonial Athletic Association that the Tigers are ready to play this season.

The Tigers’ last conference victory came against Rhode Island in October 2009; that’s almost two full seasons of conference games.  Needless to say head coach Rob Ambrose has had his hands full in overhauling the roster and recruiting players who could help Restore the Roar, in the words of Towson’s athletic department.  If Saturday night’s results are any indication, the balance of power in the CAA may have shifted a bit this season.

There were so many big plays that it’s difficult to single out just one as the tipping point of the game.  The box score shows that Towson outgained Villanova only 416-360, which is not indicative of the final score.  Instead of one specific play, it was the collective final five minutes of the third quarter that sealed the deal for the Tigers.  On fourth and inches at their own 43 with a 21-7 lead, running back Terrance West was stopped for no gain and the ball was turned over on downs.

However, the Wildcats fumbled on their next play and Towson took over with a fresh set of downs at their own 41.  The Tigers would then control the ball for the next four-plus minutes into the fourth quarter, eventually connecting on a 36-yard field goal.  Towson would answer Villanova’s subsequent field goal with a kickoff return to the Wildcats’ 11 yard line; running back Dominique Booker eventually scored a three-yard touchdown to account for the final points of the 31-10 game.

If there is one thing to learn from this game, it is simply that this Towson team can HIT.  There were four plays on defense where the crowd “oooh-ed” and “aaah-ed” from ferocious hits.  The biggest hit, both physically and psychologically, came on Villanova’s first series in the third quarter.  Towson safety Jordan Dangerfield dislodged the ball from Dorian Wells after an 18-yard completion in Tigers’ territory.  Towson would then move the ball 73 yards on six plays for a touchdown and a 21-0 lead.

Enders was the player of the game for the Tigers, throwing for 193 yards and adding 62 net rushing yards.  He showed the arm strength to complete “out” patterns to the sidelines, displayed excellent play-action-pass abilities, and scrambled only after reading through his progressions.  This game leaves little doubt that he belongs in the CAA.  The quarterback also led the Tigers in rushing yards, as three players had at least 40.  Although the outcome was not surprising, the offense’s prowess moving the ball was certainly unexpected.

As for Villanova, the inexperience of the players was just as evident as their physical talent.  The Wildcats were flagged for three substitution penalties, two of which followed consecutive plays on the same second quarter drive.  Their kickoff returner fielded the opening kickoff at the 11 yard line and hopped out of bounds; had he simply let the ball fall out of bounds, he would have improved his team’s starting field position by 29 yards.  These are coachable mistakes, and if there’s one thing we know about head coach Andy Talley, it’s that he gets the most out of his players.

It didn’t help matters that Thomas departed with a shoulder injury on Villanova’s third quarter touchdown drive.  After the redshirt freshman left the game and was replaced by Christian Culicerto, the game was effectively over.  Both quarterbacks are clearly physically gifted and the team’s spread offense is in good hands going forward, even if it takes its lumps in 2011.  But neither appeared ready for the environment they encountered.

And that last statement is what fans should take away from the Tigers’ win Saturday.  The announced attendance for the game was 7,696; the yellow-clad student section was packed and vocal throughout the game.  The crowd was a factor in Villanova losing three of their four total fumbles, and it also picked up the offense on key plays.  It is telling that on the third quarter drive following their failed fourth down attempt, the team attempted another fourth down attempt at the Villanova 23 with a 21-7 lead.  This second attempt was successful and although the drive ended only in a field goal, Towson used this aggressive mindset to announce itself to the rest of the CAA Saturday.

All other Colonial football teams except UMass were in action this weekend.  Aside from Towson, the team with the biggest win was New Hampshire.  Down late in the game, the Wildcats forced overtime and eventually won a 48-41 shootout.  In another high-scoring affair, the Old Dominion Monarchs trounced Georgia State 40-17.  The Panthers scored 10 points on short drives following ODU turnovers, but were shut out in the second half.

James Madison University defeated Central Connecticut 14-9 in front of more than 25,000 fans in the renovated Bridgeforth Stadium.  The Dukes overcame five turnovers to hold on for the win.  Delaware struck quickly for three touchdowns and eventually beat Division II rival West Chester, 28-17.  William and Mary defeated Virginia Military Institute 24-7 for its 25^th consecutive victory over the Keydets.  Jonathan Grimes had almost 90 yards rushing in the win.

Despite losing both games, the CAA teams that took on BCS programs lost by a collective 13 points.  The University of Pittsburgh defeated Maine 35-29 while Rhode Island fell to Syracuse 21-14; the latter game was tied 14-14 at the end of three quarters.  For a snapshot of how difficult the CAA conference is, neither of these teams was picked to finish in the top four of the conference but more than held their own against Big East opponents.  Lastly, Richmond followed up its “upset” over Duke by dispatching Wagner, 21-6.  The Spiders outgained the Seahawks 412-189.

But the CAA team of the week is Towson University, the conference’s leader early in the season.  There is genuine buzz on campus for this Tigers team.  They have a bye week upcoming before hosting Colgate for Homecoming on September 24.  The only conference game next week is UMass hosting Rhode Island, meaning that Towson will be at the top of the CAA in late September.  If this past weekend is any indication, the Tigers may maintain that lead for even a bit longer into the season.