TOWSON, Md. - While this is the final edition of Monday Morning Quarterback for 2011, the 2012 season has effectively begun.
It began as soon as the Tigers fell to Lehigh on Saturday night, 40-38. While people are still recovering from a loss on a safety and a fluke squib kick that cost the Tigers' field position, the Towson staff had to try and forget about the loss and finish up the recruiting class for 2012. The official signing date for football is Wednesday, February 1, 2012.
Unlike basketball, which has an early and late signing date, football has just one date, which is officially called National Signing Day. Coaches aren't allowed to talk to the media about specific recruits who may have given verbal commitments to the program until they sign a National Letter of Intent on Feb. 1 (some sign later).
Towson should bring in another strong class, which will be enhanced by the success of the program this year and who knows how many "players to be named later" (FBS/Junior College transfers) will arrive on campus at some point next season.
Last year, WRs Leon Kinnard and Gerrard Sheppard (Connecticut) were significant contributors (both caught TDs on Saturday night) as were RBs Trea Jones (Colorado) and Sterlin Phifer (Boston College) and LB Alexander DiSanzo (Boston College).
But, the most important transfer came from the smallest school (Lackawanna Junior College in Pa.). Sophomore Grant Enders solidified a position that has been in flux for years and should continue to grow over the next two seasons.
Who will be next? Will a true freshman squeeze into the lineup just as CB Tye Smith did this season? Will there be several impact transfers on defense or will they arrive on offense? How many freshmen who redshirted this past season will make an impact in 2012?
After this incredibly exciting 2012 season, Towson football fans will have to wait until the spring to get a chance to see some of the newcomers, though most won't arrive until summer camp starts in August.
There is no doubt that as difficult as the ending of 2011 was, this was a special season and I'll have a chance to review it later this week. Going from worst-to-first is something that is unprecedented and you hope never happens here again (because who wants to finish last?).
But, you have to mention the hard work of the seniors, including starters DT Marcus Valentine, S Nick Oates, RT Henry Glackin and FB Tyler Wharton along with key situational guys in DT Rob Osborne, CB Justin Harris, LB Chris Patterson, FB Paul Stefanik and WR Kyle Moore.
Around the CAA
As for the CAA, hats off to the Maine Black Bears. They were just one out of five CAA teams to advance to the quarterfinals to face Georgia Southern, who beat CAA rival Old Dominion, 55-48. The Black Bears crushed FCS power Appalachian State on the road, 34-12. Maine tallied 466 yards on offense and also played great defensively, holding NFL prospect Brian Quick (6-4, 216) to seven catches for only 41 yards.
In other second-round action concerning the CAA, James Madison fell at North Dakota State, 26-14. Lehigh will now travel to Fargo to take on North Dakota State on Saturday afternoon.
Finally, speaking of heartbreaking losses, New Hampshire had one in Bozeman as the Wildcats fell to Montana State, 27-26. UNH quarterback Kevin Decker hit Justin Mello for a 29-yard touchdown pass with six seconds left to apparently tie the game. However, the extra point by Mike MacArthur hit the right upright as Montana State advanced to face #1 Sam Houston State, which rallied to beat Stony Brook.
