TOWSON, Md. ? Senior Sean Schaefer, the Tigers' fourth-year starter at quarterback, warmed up for Towson University's season-opener at Navy by completing 20 of 31 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown as the Tiger offense scored 20 points in a 72-play intra-squad scrimmage on Tuesday afternoon at Johnny Unitas ® Stadium.

Schaefer directed seven drives against an inspired Tiger defensive unit which stopped the offense without a point the first six times it had the ball.

On the opening possession of the game, Schaefer drove the offense to the defense's 27-yard line. A tremendous pass break-up by freshman safety Danny Collins on third down prevented junior Casey Cegles from catching a long touchdown pass. The scoring chance ended when senior place kicker Mark Bencivengo missed a 49-yard field goal attempt.

With newcomer Blair Peterson directing the second possession of the game, the Tiger offense was forced to punt after three downs. A sack by freshman linebacker Brian Boateng-Botwe keyed the defensive stop.

When Peterson returned for the fourth possession of the scrimmage, he drove the offense to the defense's 34-yard line where junior cornerback Kenny Rackers intercepted a pass to stop the drive.

Sophomore Jas Lee Rouson led the Tiger offense on its first scoring drive as he picked up 13 yards on three carries. Junior Matt Castor scored on a three-yard run to give the offense its first points of the scrimmage.

Schaefer completed a pair of passes to Cegles on the next drive, setting up a 32-yard field goal by Bencivengo as the offense upped its total to ten points. The Tiger offense had actually driven to the five-yard line before back-to-back tackles for lost yardage by senior Scott Bullock created a field goal opportunity for Bencivengo.

Sophomore place kicker Jon Boyer, a transfer from Temple University, got an opportunity to show off his leg on the next possession as he booted a 32-yard field goal.

On the final possession of the scrimmage, Schaefer drove the offense down the field for a final touchdown. He capped off the scrimmage by throwing an 11-yard TD pass to sophomore Steve Holmes.

“I really liked the way we competed on both sides of the ball,” said Towson Coach Gordy Combs, who will open his 17th season as the Tigers' coach on August 30. “This was our 21st practice in 15 days and these guys are tired. They are tired of playing against each other and they're anxious to start the season.

“This was our last intrasquad scrimmage before we start the season and it ends the first phase of our pre-season practices,” he added. “From now on, we will be focusing on preparation for Navy in 11 days.”

 Junior David Newsom was the Tigers' top receiver in the scrimmage as he caught five passes for 29 yards. Cegles had four catches for 33 yards while Holmes caught four passes for 32 yards and a touchdown.

Rouson led the Tigers' ground game by rushing for 33 yards on nine carries while Castor had five carries for 12 yards and a touchdown.

Freshman defensive end Mike Evans was impressive on defense with a quarterback sack and a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage.

“For me, the biggest positive about the scrimmage is that nobody got hurt,” added Coach Combs. “Our defense played well and I like the fact that we are pretty healthy on the defensive side of the ball. We have only one significant injury on defense and he (Yaky Ibia) should be ready to come back very soon.”

“Our offensive line played better in the scrimmage and they seem to be coming together as a group,” Combs added. “We were also pleased with the way Rouson ran the ball for us.”

“I really like where we are in terms of preparation for the season,” added Coach Combs. “We feel we are in really good cardio-vascular condition and we're anxious to start the season.”

The Tigers open their 40th season of football on Saturday, August 30 when they visit Navy at 3:30 p.m.