mat1992 2,237 Report post Posted October 29, 2018 We can dwell on that Delaware loss the rest of the month (which ends Wednesday) but as Bill Belichick once said, we're on to Maine. So taking a look at Maine, they are averaging, 23 points per game, a pedestrian 120 yards on the ground and a solid 220 in the air. Defensively, they are great against the run, giving up just 60.4 yards per game and pretty good against the pass, giving up 180 yards. At 5-3 and 4-1 in the CAA, they could be headed to the FCS playoffs. They beat No. 7 UNH 35-7 to open the season, but just like our win against Villanova, that doesn't look so hot right now. They also beat Western Kentucky, 31-28, an FBS team out of Conference USA who is 1-7 this season. But still, that's a strong win any team you beat an FBS squad, even if they are a bad one from a mid-major conference. They lost to Central Michigan, 17-5, not a bad loss although Central Michigan is also bad this season at 1-8. On Sept. 29, they lost in their last non-conference game at Yale, 35-14. Yale is 4-3 this season so not a bad loss though the Bulldogs threw for over 300 yards against them. They followed that with a tight win over Villanova, 13-10. Then edged an improved Rhode Island team, 38-36. Their only CAA loss took place against W&M, when they fell, 27-20 on Oct. 20. Why did they lose that game? They threw three interceptions all from Chris Ferguson, who was also sacked twice (hmm, pressure means turnovers). After that, they defeated Albany at home, 28-9. So this is a good football team with an FBS win and they are looking to add a strong CAA road win to their resume'. Are they JMU or even Stony Brook? Maybe not but you can't take them lightly. Towson is going to need to throw the ball and find a way to run against a very good run D. If that means more Flacco runs, so be it. It's now or never at this point so he needs to slide when necessary and he might want to limit hurdling over players. Maine is not likely to win a shootout but you never know. Of course, they'd prefer a lower-scoring game but if the pass defense gets no pressure and leaves guys open the entire game, then they could put up their most points of the season, which was 38 against URI. Ferguson threw for 244 yards last week with a TD and ran for a TD against Albany. On the season, he's completing 59.6% of his passes for 1,205 yards with 8 TDs and six picks. Redshirt freshman Ramon Jefferson (5-10, 205) is the leading rusher with 394 yards and two TDs while Joe Fitzpatrick (5-11, 230) adds 372 yards and three scores. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mat1992 2,237 Report post Posted October 29, 2018 As for Towson, they just need to step up defensively. They have seven picks this season and have forced 11 fumbles with six recoveries. This is definitely a hard-hitting defense but 13 sacks in 8 games is not enough and while they have allowed 17, many of those has been coverage sacks. The O-line has pass protected very well this season. Just a surprise that Grant Udinski leads with 3.5 sacks and Ricky Deberry has just 2.5 in 7 games. Shocking that he has so little sacks at this point in the season but does have 3 QB hurries and two forced fumbles. Even though the complaints are valid about the D, we are having some great individual seasons from potential all-CAA players in Diondre Wallace (66 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT 2 FF) and Robert Heyward (64 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 4 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery, 2 FF). Keon Paye also leads with two picks and is third in tackles with 55. Offensively, Flacco has 2,201 passing yards, 570 rushing yards for 346.4 ypg. He also has 19 TDs and eight picks on a 65.1 percent completion percentage with four rushing TDs Shane Simpson adds 488 yards rushing and six TDs. He has 20 catches for 212 yards and three TDs. Shane Leatherbury leads all receivers with 45 catches for 663 yards and four TDs. He could be on his way to a second or third-team all-league. Jabari Allen adds 34 catches for 392 yards and five TDs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TigerFan54 102 Report post Posted October 29, 2018 I'm worried about Simpson holding up physically. The rushing yards look pedestrian, but all those kick returns add up. We're essentially in postseason mode, because every game is a playoff game. I'd love to see us get out comfortably ahead of Maine early and not use Shane so much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mat1992 2,237 Report post Posted October 29, 2018 Earlier, some people were wondering why Shane wasn’t getting the ball enough. Yeedee has not been consistent as a runner but he needs to get the ball in the red zone more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TuTigers2012 1,071 Report post Posted October 29, 2018 5 minutes ago, mat1992 said: Earlier, some people were wondering why Shane wasn’t getting the ball enough. Yeedee has not been consistent as a runner but he needs to get the ball in the red zone more. is young hurt or was he out for other reasons? the more waives of weapons you put in the better. Maine has a great defense and this is a must win if we want to play in decemeber. Hopefully theres a decent crowd, even if for only the first hals Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mat1992 2,237 Report post Posted October 29, 2018 Young was hurt. Don’t believe it’s serious. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blounge 521 Report post Posted October 29, 2018 Homecoming and sunny weather this week should hopefully draw a large crowd. Any promotions/giveaways at the game this weekend? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blazer49 186 Report post Posted October 29, 2018 HUGE game have to bounce back. This will dictate how the rest of the season goes more so than Saturday's loss Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TuTigers2012 1,071 Report post Posted October 30, 2018 This is going to be a huge test. Maine has only won 1 game outside of New England and that was an FBS win. Their defense is legit and good to face before JMU, who is just as good. They have the top 2 sack guys in the CAA and those two combined have as many as our entire team. They lead the CAA in sacks and tackles for loss as well as best defense for yards against. Only 1987 yards in 8 games! with just 480 on the ground. This is also against two FBS G5 teams. Luckily its in MD, as they give up 28.6 PPG and 317 YPG on the road vs a stifling 8.7 and 136.7 at home in Siberia. They have lucked out, playing all 5 of the bottom dwellers, UNH, UR, UNH, Albany, and NOVA but a loss for us on Saturday might be the nail in the coffin for our playoff hopes, especially with the other teams remaining schedules. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MDBH 0 Report post Posted October 30, 2018 Only way Towson misses the playoffs is if they lose the next 3. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
