Football trounces NC A&T 31-14

[mat1992]

https://towsontigers.com/news/2024/11/16/towson-football-earns-dominant-victory-on-senior-day-vs-n-c-a-t.aspx

At times, I thought Towson played down to the level of their opponent but at least they didn't give up like Hampton did the week before. Windy conditions made the passing game though several dropped passes by both teams didn't help. Not a great game for Dunmore with a dropped TD and then a fumble. The good news is that he'll be back for his last season but not Ty Greene Jr. or Devin Matthews, who was efficient today with two TDs.

More later.

[mat1992]

 

[TuTigers2012]

Congrats for clinching! Anyone going to Atlanta??!!

running backs are very good. Not sure why we ever run it outside, they are beats up the middle. Defense had a seasons worth of sacks today.

Towson announcers (again someone in athletics needs to make changes there) bashing the other team like they did… not a good look. Yes they are are now 0-10 and probably one of the worst teams in the country but not needed.  It’s not like we are a world beaters or anything better than mediocre program. 

[mat1992]

Just to add. Ugly-ass possession where we had three illegal motion penalties cost us a chance to score. Still don't love not going for it on 4th and 2 at the 10 or whatever it was early in the game, kicked the FG. Kind of the MO of this staff. We rarely go for it on 4th and more than 1 inside the 50.

Kudos to Devin Matthews for a great career. There are a handful of stories of players who came in as a walk-on and ended up with a big career. He's one of them.

This team is just not explosive enough. Need to add more speed at running back with all three guys gone (Watkins, Matthews, Greene). 

Now as for the graduating seniors, Pete did say there might be a few of those 30 seniors returning if they can get their eligibility. I assume Ty Greene Jr. might be one of them. Same with Nchabanu Fortaboh. Carter Runyon, who had seven catches today, is likely getting drafted in 2025. 

Here are some of the starters or key players on that list other than Greene and Fortaboh.

CB Myles Brodie
QB Carlos Davis
NG Jurnee Dunbar
MLB John Gioia
QB Nathan Kent
SS/OLB CJ McClendon
ILB Will Middleton
C Ralph Paige Jr.
OLB Daniel Raymond
Carter Runyon
OLB Evan Rutkowski
DL Ernie Smith
QB Scott Smith III
S Kam Snell
K Keegan Vaughan
DL Brockman Wallace
RB Chris Watkins

 

[mat1992]

So with Brown returning at QB, it's time to get some serious help. Maryland on the slate with Norfolk State at home, Morgan on the road, Youngstown State apparently with another 12-game schedule. Not as tough this season. Let's face it, we played a hellacious schedule before these last three games when you consider Villanova is now 9th (lost today to Monmouth), ND State is 1st, Richmond is 11th and Stony Brook is 16th (lost today to UNH). We beat W&M, but they're not ranked anymore. The league at the top doesn't suck as much as people want you to believe even with Richmond leaving. But the bottom of the league....sucks. We're stuck in the middle and have to find a way to get out.

It starts at quarterback and at CORNERBACK. There are many other issues including discipline or lack thereof. We had effing 13 penalties for 118 yards today. Shafeek Smith, who wasn't on that Seniors leaving list, had two PIs (didn't see what he did wrong but I assume he tugged on a jersey). I thought Myles Brodie played well down the stretch, but he is one of the Seniors graduating, but again, the eligibility factor is because he started out at Alvernia and played in 2020. So Covid year in 2020 and redshirt season in 2022 when he sat out? I'd like to have him back, but just as I said last season, we DESPERATELY needed a legit starting corner in the portal and didn't get one. That's another must for this season even though I like the potential of true freshmen Shakaa Brown and Emiril Gant.

Brown threw for 251 yards and a TD today. No turnovers which was key though he nearly put one on the carpet, but replay ruled it no fumble. Inconsistent early on. Had 45 yards rushing which is obviously a high. Nice call on that keeper for a TD. His receivers didn't always get open and had a few drops. He also missed a few guys in the first half. Couldn't reach the end zone on that Hail Mary at the end of the 2nd half with the wind at his back. Not a big deal. Thought he had a stronger arm though unless he's hurt.

Personally, I'm getting a dual-threat QB or two next season. Good to see freshman Winston Watkins play, even if it's just one short possession. But he's probably not there yet. Spring will be huge for him. Just like last season, you can't be satisfied with Nathan Kent's inconsistencies and average arm. Same with Brown. Too many turnovers overall. When he gets flushed from the pocket, he has to be more assured. Hold the ball with two hands when getting ready to slide. Either way, they need to once again upgrade at that position for the fifth time since 2020/21.  Has 11 TDs and seven picks. Threw for 1,818 yards,. -21 yards rushing.  Meh.

 

 

[Blazer49]

Not sure where to post this since it can cover any of the 3 major threads on this site, but kudos to have 3 "big" home games yesterday over the course of 3 different sports and Towson went 3-0 in those games! Not as big of a number as it should have been, yes they gave away jerseys at the basketball game, but I do wonder how many people attended all 3 games. 

[mat1992]

2 hours ago, Blazer49 said:

Not sure where to post this since it can cover any of the 3 major threads on this site, but kudos to have 3 "big" home games yesterday over the course of 3 different sports and Towson went 3-0 in those games! Not as big of a number as it should have been, yes they gave away jerseys at the basketball game, but I do wonder how many people attended all 3 games. 

They had 3,096 at the basketball game, allegedly 3,900 at the football game and 399 at the volleyball game. 

[TuTigers2012]

3 hours ago, mat1992 said:

They had 3,096 at the basketball game, allegedly 3,900 at the football game and 399 at the volleyball game. 

There were more students there 40’ minutes before tip off, than any non autism awareness game, that I can remember. Sucks that there’s 3 weeks between home games, makes it difficult to capitalize on this “momentum”.