TOWSON, Md. - The 2011-12 school year was one filled with memories and highlights for Tiger athletics. The Top 10 Moments from 2011-12 contains some individual highlights in addition to those involving the teams. Make sure to check back each Tuesday and Thursday to see what moments made it.
“Winning a championship in the Colonial Athletic Association is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Towson football coach Rob Ambrose.
Ambrose made that comment on Nov. 19 after the Tigers came from behind to defeat Rhode Island, 28-17 and in doing so captured their first CAA Championship. That is the No. 3 moment on the Top 10 countdown from the 2011-12 school year.
The Tigers, entered the game at Meade Stadium in a tie for first place in the CAA with Maine, and trying to put the finishing touches on a remarkable season in which they had been the most improved team in NCAA FCS football. Just one season after posting a 1-10 record, the Tigers where one of the biggest surprises in college football with their 8-2 record. The "Turnaround Tigers" won eight of nine games against NCAA FCS competition, including wins over six nationally-ranked teams.
Picked to finish last in the CAA in a pre-season coaches' poll, the Tigers put themselves in position to earn a share of the CAA championship with back-to-back wins over No. 7 Maine (40-30) and No. 7 New Hampshire (56-42). The Tigers entered their regular season finale tied for first place with Maine (8-2, 6-1).
It was a tense back and forth battle between the Tigers and the Rams in that final game. Rhode Island jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. The Tigers battled back as Grant Enders and Terrance West combined for a pair of touchdowns to give the visitors a 14-10 lead with 1:53 remaining in the half. The Rams missed a 38-yard field goal which sent the Tigers into the half with the 14-10 lead.
The Tigers opened the third quarter with a solid drive that ended with Enders finding Tom Ryan for a 21-yard touchdown which gave Towson a 21-10 lead.
After Rhode Island scored to make a 21-17 game, Enders and Ryan connected for their second touchdown of the game to make it a 28-17 lead with 6:06 to play.
A big stop by the Tiger defense gave Towson the ball back and the Tigers were able to run out the clock, clinching the victory.
A loss by Maine the same day, gave the Tigers their first CAA Championship.
The most improved team in NCAA FCS, the Tigers’ nine victories were an eight-game improvement over last season.
They became the first team in NCAA history to qualify for the NCAA post-season playoffs at the FCS level, the Division II level and the Division III level. The Tigers made their first NCAA post-season appearance since 1986 with the win over Rhode Island.
Check back on July 10 for the No. 2 moment in the countdown.
The Top 10 Moments From 2011-12
June 7 - Honorable Mention Selections
June 12 - No. 10 - Lingmai's No-Hitter
June 14 - No. 9 - Men's Basketball Losing Streak Ends
June 19 - No. 8 - Baseball sweeps James Madison
June 21 - No. 7 - Women's Lacrosse Plays Man-Down to Win CAA Title
June 26 - No. 6. - Football Plays Before Sell-Out Crowd for FCS Playoff Game
June 28 - No. 5 - Men's Lacrosse Pulls Off 10-9 Double Overtime win at Hofstra
July 2 - No. 4 - Women's Lacrosse Wins in Double OT to Clinch Regular Season Title
July 5 - No. 3 - Football Clinches CAA Championship with win at Rhode Island
