TOWSON, Md. - This is always the longest week of the year for me. Many people feel that baseball's Opening Day is like Christmas. Not me. The first Tiger football game of the year is Christmas Day for yours truly.
Friday night will take me back to my youth and how excited I would get on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa Claus. Sleep will not come easy. When the opening kickoff is in the air, it will be like running down those steps to see what Santa brought. The Tigers scoring a touchdown will be like ripping open the wrapping paper. And the Tigers getting a win will be like seeing the gift itself.
When I get into conversations with people I have just met, the talk tends to go to sports. When they ask who my favorite football team is, I say Towson of course. Some people know my background and understand. But, most will say something to the effect of “No. Really, who is your favorite football team?”
And I will say “No, it's really Towson.” The response that follows is usually, "But they aren't big time."
"So what," is what follows from me, which comes with an answer of, "Not the Ravens?"
"Nope - It's Towson."
Then, I get the question of "Not Maryland?" to which I reply, "H-E- double toothpicks no!!! Towson. It really is the only football team I root for and care about."
As you listen to the games this year, I hope that enthusiasm comes through. Sometimes the disappointment comes through. But, I have a feeling we are gonna have a lot more fun then we have in a while during this 2011 season.
Coach Rob Ambrose is in his third season and you can see his demeanor is a little different than it has been the first two years under his helm. You can see that he is chomping at the bit to get this season under way.
Offensively, Coach Ambrose is back to being the offensive coordinator. There will be a new quarterback to bring along, but the offensive line has four of five starters coming back. When coaches have a veteran offensive line, they tend to sleep better.
Running back looks strong and from watching the preseason, you can see that Tremayne Dameron looks bigger and stronger. Tremayne was plagued by injuries last year, but this season he is ready to go. He also has help. I am not sure we will see a back getting 20 to 25 carries every game because Rob will have options at running back as he will at wide receiver.
Defensively, Towson returns eight starters. But, the biggest change is a return of an old face. Danzel White, who led the Tigers in tackles in 2009 but missed last season, is back at linebacker. White will help to lead a defense that is sure to be better this season.
The Tigers gave up over 34 points per game last year, but some of that was due to the offense not being able to stay on the field. The Tigers turned the ball over too many times last year and had too many series go three and out. That takes its toll on the defense. I think that changes this year.
As always, the schedule is brutal. After the opener against Morgan State on Saturday, the Tigers will face Villanova, the 2009 NCAA FCS champion. Coach Andy Talley always has a quality team and they have handled the Tigers since Towson joined the league.
One great thing about this year is that the Tigers play four of their first five games at Johnny Unitas® Stadium. Coach Ambrose and the players were amazed at the support they got at home last year. A team that went 1-10 almost set a single season attendance record in 2010. Word has it the Tigers have already sold more season tickets this year than they did last season. A good start and "The U" could be rocking in late September, October and November.
Of course, the CAA is THE best FCS conference in the country, so every game will be difficult. And then there is that game on October 1 down in College Park. If you bleed even an ounce of Black and Gold, you cant wait for that one.
For those of us who have nothing but Black and Gold running through our veins, a win there and we will be nominating Coach Ambrose for sainthood. But, lets not get ahead of ourselves. The Bears of Morgan State come first.
Coach Donald Hill-Eley and his team will come into "The U" looking for Tiger blood. It's not just the first game for both teams, but it's also a game for Baltimore bragging rights.
Coach Hill-Eley has done a fantastic job in his time at Morgan. There was a period when the Morgan game would be nothing more than a tune-up. Not anymore. The Tigers will have their hands full.
The atmosphere at Unitas Stadium will be fantastic. The stadium has had some face-lifts and looks better then ever. Morgan always travels well to Towson. Besides Delaware, the Tigers have had their biggest home crowds against the Bears.
If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, do it now. Its simple. You can do it right here on Towsontigers.com.
So, come on out Saturday. I know I can't wait.
Programming Note: Don't forget that Damon Lewis and I are at Bill Bateman's Bistro in Towson every Thursday night from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. Coach Ambrose joins us every week. Also joining us this week will be Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Roger Erricker.
If you can't make it, tune in on WNST-AM 1570 or right here at TowsonTigers.com.
I will also be with you at 5:30 p.m. Saturday night on WNST and TowsonTigers.com for our 90-minute pregame show. Former Tiger quarterback and Hall of Famer Ron Meehan and I will have the call of the Tigers against Morgan starting at 7 p.m.
Bring your radio to the game and follow along with us.
