[Sly Fox]

I'd love to see some people jump on SJ's bandwagon up to Maryland for this one. In the meantime, here's some info to get you prepared as we face a HUGE step up in the level of competition against a school who was once a conference rival:


Towson University Tigers
Towson, Maryland

Official Towson Site
Towson Board on CAAZone

Founded in 1866
Enrollment: 18,000
State University
Sponsor 18 Sports
Conference: A-10 in Football - CAA in everything else

2006 Results:
9/2 - Won 30-2 over Morgan State
9/9 - Won 24-17 @ Elon

[givemethemic]

We were talking about Elon last night and when you look at there game vs. Coastal, Coastal had the ball 6 times in the Red Zone and never scored.... So I really don't know how good Elon is with that said this is definitely a game that we should be able to win... SJ I know I am going I just don't exactly know what are plans are, so I will let you know later in the week

[Sly Fox]

Here are some of their key players:


#13 Sean Schaefer
Sophomore Quarterback
Thru 2 Games: 65.5 Passing Percentage for 510 Yards with 2 TDs & 3 INTs



#34 Rasheed McClaude
Junior Running Back
Thru 2 Games: Averaging 3.6 YPC with 102 Yds Rushing with 1 TD + 4 Catches for 104 Yds



#8 Eric Yancey
Senior Wide Receiver
Thru 2 Games: 9 Catches for 100 Yards and 2 TDs



#41 Brian Bradford
Junior Linebacker
Thru 2 Games: 17 tackles Including 3 for loss



#29 Marcus Edwards
Senior Defensive End
Thru 2 Games: 14 Tackles Including 2 Sacks & 1 Fumble Recovery



#15 Drew Mack
Sophomore Defensive Back
Thru 2 Games: 6 Tackles & Interception Returned 30 Yds

[ATrain]

Not going...will be in VaBeach with the tennis teams

This is one where if we win, it'll help prove we're legit this season. GO FLAMES!!!

[Stevev]

This our first legitimate test to see how we stack up agains't a descent 1AA opponent. They are certainly no 1AA power so I think that a win is a strong possiblity. You can't look at what we did agains't them last year at our place (38-17) since last year is last year and we seem to be in much better shape than what we were last season,.

I will be at the game so I will be on this board and I will give you an unbiased opinion on what I see since I can only speculate so much based on what I hear from the radio broadcast and also playing this weak division 2 competition. Looking forward to the game and hoping to run into some of you guys out there down in towson this Saturday at 6 PM.

[Sly Fox]

I for one look forward to your eyewitness reports, steve.

There is no denying the challenge before the team this week.

On a side note, we just had Walu Lundy in studio and when I told him I was a Liberty grad he was asking how we did this weekend since he's friends with Eddie, Vince & Coach Rocco. He was pleased with the results even though he admitted its probably going to be a tough season for the 'Hoos.

[absturgill]

I will be there as well. It should be a good game as this should be a good test for us. I will bring my camera and upload some pics of the game.

[Baldspot]

I'm planning on making the trip. Last time I was there they had the David Meggett show going on. Hope their backs aren't as good this time.

[Stevev]

I was there too when David Meggett played for them back in 1988 (The Morgan Hout era for LU). We ended up winning that one with a defensive stop in the last minute in the rain. It seemed like we had a much better team and seemed to do a good job containing Meggett but had to hold them off in the end to get the win and cap off a 8-3 breakout year. I hope to run into you guys at Towson.

[Sly Fox]

Its ironic Meggett's name is getting mentioned right now after he was back in the news so recently.

[jcmanson]

As already mentioned this game will show us where we are thus far in the rebuilding process. After 2 great games, we still don't know how we match up against D 1 talent. Should be a great game though. Wish I could be there though.

[TigerFan17]

Hey guys, I'm over here from the CAAZone to stop in and talk to ya'll about the game.

Just so you know, though Rasheed McCloude is listed as one of our key players, our true starting tailback Nick Williams will be back from a strained hamstring to resume control of the backfield for at least some of the game. McCloude will play, but not likely to start. Also, Matt Castor will be back from his 2 game suspension and has a good possibility of seeing some reps at tailback.

You guys really seem to have something in Rashad Jennings, so hopefully we can stop him, or at least contain him. We were able to shut down Elon's running game and limit them to under 50 yards.

To be honest, I'm not really sure what to make of this game, so I can't really make an educated guess for the score or how it will play out.

But just for fun, 31-21 Towson wins.

[SuperJon]

I don't think anyone really knows what to think of this game.

[jcmanson]

Yeah, it's hard to predict the outcome of this game because noone really knows how good we are. I wouldn't be shocked if we won by 10 or more points, and I wouldn't be too surprised if we lost by 10 or more points. I definitely think the game will be within 10 either way though. Our guys should be pumped up, and ready to go.

[givemethemic]

SJ, if you still need a way up to Towson call me... You can come with us

[Sly Fox]

Thanks for dropping by, TigerFan 17. Coming off back-to-back DII games are team is loaded with question marks. Hopefully those will be turned to exclamation points after our trip up your way. But who really knows at this point.

Thanks for the heads up regarding the tailback position. We remember Williams alll too well from last season's shellacking.

[Sly Fox]

BTW those guys over on the Towson board at CAAzone are quality guys. Here is a report on the A-10 conference call today from their board's moderator:

A-10 Conference Towson Report

[RagingTireFire]

We remember Williams alll too well from last season's shellacking.

I remember Williams racking up 55 yds rushing on their opening drive and only getting 17 more for the rest of the game. He got a late 1yd TD but that dude was so frustrated that the ref ended up saying something to him.

[mat1992]

Well guys, I'm also here from the CAAzone board. I go a lot farther back than TF17, who's an exellent fan. We have a few good ones on the message board, but not as many as I'd like at this point. It's impressive that Liberty could draw over 11,000 for a D2 school. Shows that the school will support a winning program or a coach that is starting to put together something special. There will be some bumps in the road, but getting transfers has helped so many D1AA programs. Delaware basically won a title due to getting a bunch of transfers.

I've known our coach (Gordy Combs) for around 15 years, and he's always said getting transfers is a double-edge sword. If you get one, you better hope that they can contribute right away, because they'll cause a lot of commotion if they aren't playing.

I don't go back quite as far as Meggett. I started covering the program in 1989 as a student (right after Dave graduated). Interesting that as Dave is going through all his problems, his former linemate and center John Gaburick just got inducted in the Towson Hall of Fame. John works for the WWE and was known as "Big" in the former Tough Enough program. Hey, we don't have many famous ex-players so we have to pimp them out as much as possible.

Anyway, I do remember some of games from 1989-1992 (Eric Green!) and you guys put it to us. We were absolutely awful from 1989-91 and we nearly lost the program in that time period. I forgot about the 1992 loss. We were pretty good in that season. Had a high-powered offense. I don't remember why we scored just 14 points with Dan Crowley and Tony Vinson.
You must have had a great defense that year.

This week will be an interseting matchup. We've had three major injuries the first two games and we expect one of them back. Although Nick Williams is probably still questionable and even if he plays, I'm guessing he'll share the carries with Rasheed McClaude. Matt Castor is a bit of an unknown for us and is a wild card at running back. Our running game has been so-so without Williams and Castor. Our passing game is strong, although our top receiver Andrae Brown is out with a broken thumb and will miss this game. We are also missing our starting TE Ryan Collins, who is out with mono.

Our defense has looked pretty good, but this is a stiff test. We've done well so far, and have a small quick defense, but I still question how we can stop the run. I'm assuming that we will bend some and give up some yards, but will be tough in the red zone. So far, the defense has been a pleasant surprise for us.

Good luck (not Saturday) the rest of the season and come over to Caazone if you'd like. Hope the weather is decent this weekend, but not expecting much of a crowd. We'll be lucky to break 4,000.

[Sly Fox]

Thanks for the rundown, mat1992. For the record, I've been a lurker on CAAzone for several years and I post over there from time to time. Its great to have you guys drop by our board.

As for I-AA transfers, we've had a mixed bag of success over the years as well. But by all indications, our transfers this year are stepping in and having an immediate impact.

Thanks for catching us up on your injury situation. Its tough to be starting the season with so many dings to worry about already.

I think we are all anxious to see how our power running game with Rashad & Zach behind our vastly improved O-line. And we really haven't gotten our passing game on track thus far. But frankly its hasn't been necessary to this point.

4k is cool for a non-conference without a ranked opponent. I wished I could say we were bringing a grand or more. But the cost of gas hasn't severly limited just about every school's travelling capabilities. But as you can see on this board we will have a contingent of FlameFans on hand.

[Libertine]

Thanks for dropping by, Mat. I was wondering what had happened to Andrae Brown. That guy is just scary. He's one of the quickest WRs I've ever seen at the I-AA levell.

[TigerFan17]

Thanks for dropping by, Mat. I was wondering what had happened to Andrae Brown. That guy is just scary. He's one of the quickest WRs I've ever seen at the I-AA levell.

His forte is really his YAC numbers, that what really put him ahead in the receiving core.

Also, Marcus Lee who was basically expected to have a huge season this year is struggling early on with some dropped passes but coach Combs seems convinced that when it comes to this game he'll be in full form. He has some true big-play ability.

Definitely excited to get to this game!

[bigsmooth]

welcome tiger fan! stop by anytime. this should be a close game in my mind, and this will be a measuring stick for the rest of our season. BTW, which paper does towson get the most run in up there? the sun?

[jcmanson]

Thanks for the info. I'm expecting a very well played game on Saturday, but we shall see. I think the key to the game will be if we can slow down your passing attack, and if rashad and zack can run effectively. If we can limit you guys by air, and we can rush effectively we will get the W.

[Stevev]

Any chance that those attending the towson game could get together for a little tailgating action. I would really enjoy that and it would be a great chance to get to know each other.