TOWSON, Md. - Returning to Minnegan Field at Johnny Unitas® Stadium for the final time this season, Coach Rob Ambrose and the Towson University (5-4, 4-2) football team will be trying to keep their post-season playoff hopes alive when they host the University of Rhode Island (0-9, 0-6) on Saturday afternoon, November 10 at 3:30 p.m.
The game will also be aired on the Tigers' web site, www.TowsonTigers.com with Spiro Morekas and Ron Meehan handling the broadcast. The Tigers' internet broadcast also features a one-hour pre-game show.
When the Tigers host the Rams, they will seeking their third consecutive win. Towson enters the URI game tied for fourth place in the Colonial Athletic Association. A win over the Rams would give the Tigers a chance to tie for the CAA championship next week when they visit CAA co-leader New Hampshire.
Saturday's game will mark the final regular season home appearance for 15 Tiger seniors who have helped Towson post a 14-7 record over the last two seasons. The defending CAA champions have been nationally-ranked for the last 24 consecutive weeks.
The following seniors will be honored in pre-game ceremonies: wide receiver Erron Banks, defensive end Frank Beltre, wide receiver Alex Blake, linebacker Brian Boateng, running back Dominique Booker, defensive end Ben Chroniger, safety Jordan Dangerfield, quarterback Grant Enders, tight end Cory Kirby, defensive tackle Matt Morgan, linebacker Nick Ranko, wide receiver Tom Ryan, wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard (and defensive end Romale Tucker.
Of the Tigers' 15 seniors, 10 of them have been regular starters this season.
"When I spoke to our team on Sunday, I told them that 'these men are deserving of all of your respect,'" said Coach Ambrose. "The scope in which they've travelled has been so important to this program. They have seen it all and I can't wait to thank them on Saturday."
The Tigers, who beat Rhode Island at Meade Stadium last season, will be facing the Rams for the 13th time this week. Each team has won six games. However, the Rams have won four of six games at Minnegan Stadium.
Saturday could also be a special day for two Tiger seniors, Booker and Enders. Booker needs only six more rushing yards to reach 1,000 yards for his career. Enders is only 35 yards shy of reaching 1,000 career yards. Enders will become the first Towson quarterback ever to rush for 1,000 yards in his career.
Enders is enjoying a terrific senior season. He has completed 169 of 261 passes for 1,856 yards and 13 touchdowns. He ranks fourth in the CAA in passing. The 10th-leading rusher in the CAA, he has picked up 578 on 89 carries. He also ranks third in the CAA in total offense, averaging 270.4 yards per game.
Sophomore Terrance West, the Pre-Season CAA Offensive Player of the Year, leads the Tigers in rushing. He has picked up 790 yards on 170 carries and is third in the CAA. He is also the CAA scoring leader with 13 touchdowns. He has 12 rushing touchdowns and he has caught one touchdown pass. In his career, he now has scored 42 touchdowns.
West is already the fifth-leading rusher in Towson history with 2,089 yards. He passed the 2,000-yard milestone in Towson's 34-27 win at Delaware last week.
Led by junior linebacker Monte Gaddis, the Tiger defense has been one of the best in the CAA this year. Towson is allowing 317.8 total yards per game, a mark that places them second in the league.
Gaddis leads the Tigers with 70 tackles in nine games while sophomore cornerback Tye Smith has 61 tackles with one interception.
After this week's game against URI, the Tigers will close out the regular season at New Hampshire on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 12 noon.
TIGER TALES: The In their first nine games of the season, the Tigers have controlled the time of possession eight times ... While averaging 33:55 in time of possession, Towson ranks fifth in NCAA FCS in time of possession ... National champion North Dakota State leads FCS football in time of possession at 36:09 per game ... Montana State (34:16) is second while Liberty (34:00) is third ... Eastern Kentucky is fourth at 33:57, just ahead of Towson ... Last week, the Tigers had a seasonal high time of possession (37:27) at Delaware.
