TOWSON, Md. - In today's edition of "Monday Morning Quarterback," we look back at Towson's 42-3 win over Morgan
State and catch up with how the rest of the CAA performed in the opening
week of college football.
Towson produced a balanced attack against Morgan State, rushing for
264 yards and passing for 270 yards. The total output of 534 yards was the
23rd most all-time and the most the Tigers have had since the 2006 season.
But even more impressive was the rushing game, which averaged 133
yards per game last year and 3.6 yards per carry. Against Morgan State,
the Towson running game produced 4.9 yards per carry and it was
against a team that allowed 3.9 yards per carry and
155.8 yards per game last year.
While junior running backs Tremayne Dameron (9 carries for 71
yards), Dominique Booker (11 carries for 60 yards) and Sterlin Phifer (13 carries for 59 yards) had big
nights, it was the offensive line along with senior fullback Tyler Wharton and sophomore tight end James Oboh that were
responsible for opening up big holes for the running backs.
For the first time in the Rob Ambrose era, there finally appears to
be some cohesion on the line, even if it is still very young with four sophomores and one senior in Henry Glackin (6-foot-4, 280 pounds).
Left guard Anthony Davis (6-3, 315), center Doug Shaw
(6-1, 265), right guard Charles Johnson (6-2, 290) and left tackle Eric Pike (6-5, 295) all played various amount of time last year. Pike
started the entire season while Shaw and Davis came in mid-season due
to injuries. Johnson had the least amount of experience
starting, but played in five games as a reserve guard.
"The offensive line is young and they played against a very strong,
well-coached Morgan team," Ambrose said after the game. "They played
without great mistakes that were made in the last two years. They are
going to get stronger together for a long time. They are going to win a lot of games together."
Around the CAA
The CAA went 5-5 in opening week with Rhode Island as the lone team without a game; the Rams will open at Syracuse on Saturday, Sept. 10.
Old Dominion, Richmond, UMass and Maine were the other winners besides the Tigers. The most impressive win had Richmond defeating FBS opponent
Duke on the road, 23-21. The Spiders have now beaten Duke three times in
the last six seasons.
The Spiders were coached by
Wayne Lineburg, who is serving as the Spiders' interim head coach. The Spiders' Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach, Lineburg replaced Latrell Scott,
who resigned Aug. 23 after being charged with driving under the
influence.
Senior Aaron Corp, the Spiders' quarterback who transferred from USC last season, threw for 191 yards (14-of-31)
with one touchdown and an interception. He threw for 645 yards last year
in four full games before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the
fifth game at New Hampshire.
Delaware, William & Mary, Villanova, James Madison and New
Hampshire all lost to FBS (1-A) teams by a combined score of 222-59.
The second week will be highlighted by first-year member Old Dominion taking on 2012 CAA member Georgia State.
