TOWSON, Md. - If Coach Rob Ambrose knows who will start at quarterback for the Tigers in their season opener on Saturday night, it's a secret he is keeping to himself.

Sophomore Peter Athens and sophomore newcomer Grant Enders have emerged as the leading candidates and it is virtually assured one of them will get the starting nod on Saturday night.

"We feel great about the competition at quarterback," says Coach Ambrose.  "Currently there is a leader and we are working to secure a starter by Thursday of this week.  Great competition creates excellence so we are excited about the future  and the expectations of that position here."

Athens and Enders are both products of Maryland high school football. Athens is a graduate of Huntingtown High School while Enders graduated from Old Mill High School. Both enjoyed outstanding high school careers.

The two quarterbacks took different paths to their current situation. Athens came to Towson directly from high school. As a first-year freshman, he started the first six games of the season. He passed for 691 yards and threw six touchdown passes. Honored as the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week after leading the Tigers to a win over Coastal Carolina. In the sixth game of the season, he suffered a season-ending knee injury against Delaware.

He sat out last season while recovering from the injury.

Enders started his college career at Holy Cross. After one year of sitting on the Crusaders' bench, he transferred to Lackawanna Junior College. At Lackawanna, he had a terrific season, earning first team all-conference honors. He led Lackawanna to a 9-2 record while passing for 2,098 yards and 17 touchdowns.