Towson University Athletics

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Football 11.5.2012

Two Weeks Left Still Alive

With the Towson University Tigers' 34-27 overtime win over the Blue Hens of Delaware this past Saturday, the Tigers still have a shot at repeating as Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) champs. The Tigers raised their conference record to 4-2 and are 5-4 overall. Let's not underestimate what coach Rob Ambrose and his team have done here. They just completed a two-game road trip with victories over Villanova and Delaware. Villanova had just one conference loss and the No. 4 defense in the conference. Then the Tigers marched into their stadium on their Homecoming and put up 49 points.

This past Saturday, Towson walked into Tubby Raymond Field and ended any hopes Delaware had at making the NCAA playoffs. Towson handed Delaware its fourth conference loss. The Blue Hens came in with the No. 1 rushing defense in the CAA. All Towson did was rush for 198 yards.

This is what champions do. They win when they have to. When Towson lost to Old Dominion on October 20, it put the Tigers' backs up against the wall. With four losses overall, they could not lose another game if they wanted to get back to the NCAA playoffs. There weren't many who thought the Tigers could go to Villanova and Delaware without a loss. Those folks were wrong. So now the Tigers will continue in their must-win mode.

What the coaching staff has to do now is keep this team from having a letdown. Towson will host Rhode Island this Saturday at Unitas Stadium. Kickoff is 3:30 pm. The last thing the Tigers need to do is look at Rhode Island's 0-9 record and feel like a win is in the bag. The Ram's 9.9 points per game average is the worst in the FCS. They have the 11th worst points per game allowed average (37.33). But they will strap it on and come down to the U with thoughts of upset on their mind.

Let's not forget last year Towson clinched the CAA championship on the Rams' home field. I'm sure the Rhode Island coaching staff will remind its troops of Towson celebrating on their turf. The Tigers will have to stay tough. They will not be able to be sloppy and win. Winning the turnover battle is key for the Tigers.

If things go the way they should, however, Towson will head into its final game of the season up in Durham, N.H. with a chance to win a playoff spot and win the conference championship. Right now, it's still a very muddy picture. James Madison and New Hampshire have one conference loss each. The Tigers, Richmond and Villanova have two apiece. At this point, there are still dozens of possibilities as to who wins what tiebreakers. We should have a clearer picture after this upcoming weekend. First though, the Tigers have to take care of business at home.

Damon Lewis and I are back at Bill Bateman's Bistro for Tiger Talk this Thursday night.
We will be there from 6 to 7 p.m. Coach Rob Ambrose will join us as will other special guests from the Towson Athletic Department. If you cant make it out to Bateman's, you can listen to Tiger Talk right here on TowsonTigers.com or with the Towson app on your iPhone or Android device.

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