TOWSON, Md. - With two games remaining in the regular season, the No. 12 Tigers (7-2, 5-1) will be seeking their sixth victory against a nationally-ranked team when they host No. 7 New Hampshire (7-2, 5-1) in their final regular season home game on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 3:30 p.m. at Minnegan Field at Johnny Unitas® Stadium.
The Tigers and the Wildcats enter Saturday's game as two of the three teams tied for first place in the Colonial Athletic Association. Last week, the Tigers created the three-way tie for first place when they beat CAA-leading Maine, 40-30.
Since this is the Tigers' final regular season home game, they will be honoring 13 seniors in pre-game ceremonies. Offensive lineman Colin Bass, tailback Tremayne Dameron, tight end Mike Evans, offensive tackle Henry Glackin, cornerback Justin Harris, wide receiver Kyle Moore, safety Nick Oates, linebacker Chris Patterson, quarterback Brian Potts, fullback Paul Stefanik, defensive tackle Marcus Valentine, and fullback Tyler Wharton will be honored on Saturday.
"These young men represent the best there is in Towson football," says Coach Rob Ambrose. "They have seen the worst of times and they helped to build the foundation for the best of times. They understand the value of teamwork and they are the ones who stuck with it.
"It is vindicating for me to see these players smiling and enjoying this season," he added. "We are indebted to them for their service and commitment."
When the Tigers host New Hampshire on Saturday, the game will be a matchup of the top two offensive teams in the CAA. The Tigers and the Wildcats rank one-two in the CAA in total offense. Towson leads the CAA in total offense, averaging 438.9 yards per game. UNH is second, averaging 434.8 total yards per game.
However, the teams are diametrically opposed in the strengths of their offense. While the Tigers lead the CAA in rushing, the Wildcats are the top passing team in the CAA.
Averaging 238.4 rushing yards per game, the Tigers have run for at least 200 yards in eight of their nine games. Last week, the Tigers accumulated a season high 334 rushing yards in their win at Maine. That total was their top rushing mark since 1995 when they ran for 342 yards at Southern Connecticut. It was also the tenth-highest single game rushing total in school history.
The Tigers, who have rushed for 2,146 yards this season, have already compiled the second-highest single season rushing total in the history of the program. The 1993 Tigers set the school record when they ran for 2,969 yards.
Turnover ratio has been vital to the Tigers' success this season. In their first nine games, the Tigers have compiled a plus-five turnover ratio, a mark that is third in the CAA behind Old Dominion (plus-seven) and Maine (plus-six).
In nine games, the Tigers have turned the ball over 14 times while forcing 19 turnovers. The Tigers have thrown nine interceptions and only lost five fumbles. The Tigers have recovered ten fumbles and intercepted nine passes.
A pair of linebackers, junior Alexander DiSanzo (Don Bosco Prep/Fair Lawn, N.J.) and freshman Kenton Powell (Seneca Valley H.S./Rockville, Md.), are tied for the team lead with three interceptions. This is noteworthy because the Tigers only intercepted two passes in the 2010 season. DiSanzo is fifth on the team with 51 tackles while Powell has 41 tackles and is tied for sixth on the team.
The Tigers, who are 4-1 at Unitas Stadium this season, have been led by a very efficient offense that has scored at least 30 points in each of their six CAA games. Most significantly, the Tigers lead NCAA FCS in third down percentage. Towson has made 62 of 118 third down attempts (.525). The Tigers have also been effective on fourth down, converting 12 of 20 attempts (.600).
Sophomore quarterback Grant Enders has excelled as the leader of the Tiger offense. Honored as the Colonial Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Week twice this season, Enders has completed 119 of 180 passes for 1,450 yards and ten touchdowns. With a 145.4 passing efficiency rating, he is third in the CAA.
Freshman Terrance West leads the Tigers' running game. He has rushed for 929 yards on 141 carries, an impressive 6.6 average. He is fourth in the CAA in rushing and leads NCAA FCS with 21 touchdowns. West has rushed for more than 100 yards in five consecutive games. He is the first Tiger to accomplish that feat since Noah Read, '02 ran for over 100 yards in eight straight games during the 2000 season.
One of the leading candidates for the Jerry Rice Award which is presented to the top freshman in NCAA FCS by The Sports Network, West was named as the CAA Offensive Player of the Week after the Tigers' win at Maine. He has been honored as the CAA Rookie of the Week four times and the National Freshman of the Week by The Sports Network twice.
The Tigers will be seeking their first-ever win over New Hampshire when the teams meet this week. Since the Tigers and the Wildcats became conference rivals in 2004, UNH has won all five meetings, many of them in convincing style.
"I keep saying it every week," says Coach Ambrose. "This is life in the CAA - another nationally-ranked team. It's like this. 'You beat a good team. Congratulations. Look who you have next.' New Hampshire is a tremendous football team and Kevin Decker is an exceptional quarterback. I only wish I had offered him a scholarship when I was an assistant coach at the University of Connecticut. Then, I wouldn't have to play against him this week."
New Hampshire is one of the top teams in the CAA on an annual basis. The Wildcats have earned a berth in the NCAA FCS playoffs seven years in a row. UNH has the longest streak of consecutive NCAA FCS appearances in the nation.
Over the last seven-plus seasons, Coach Sean McDonnell has guided New Hampshire to a very impressive 72-27 record. The Wildcats have been ranked in the Top 25 by The Sports Network for the last 107 weeks.
TIGER TALES: Towson and UNH are two of six CAA teams that are ranked in the Top 25 this week ... The Tigers' current ranking of 12th in the nation is their highest-ever ranking as an NCAA FCS program ... After their game against UNH, the Tigers close out the regular season with a trip to Rhode Island on Nov. 19 ... The Tigers will be playing their seventh game against a nationally-ranked opponent this week ... They are 5-1 against Top 25 teams.
