Towson University Athletics

Scoreboard

Football 9.17.2012

One on the Left Side

A crowd of over 8000 was on hand to watch Towson beat the Tribe of William & Mary 20-17 this past Saturday. When the Tigers took a 20-10 lead in the second half, it looked like an easy win. But when you take on a team that is as well coached as the Tribe, the game is never over. The Tigers outgained William & Mary 422 yards to 258. The Tigers had almost a 10-minute advantage in time of possession. But those things make no difference. All that matters is who gets to chalk one up on the left side of the ledger. This time it was Towson.

William & Mary is now 0-3 but have lost by a total of 7 points. Don't think these close losses will make Tribe head coach Jimmye Laycock feel any better. This man knows after 251 career wins that moral victories don't exist. For the Tribe, any thoughts they have of post season play, rest on basically winning out. They will take on Delaware at home next week. As Tiger fans, we wish them well. Then again we always wish the Blue Hens' opponents well.

For Tiger head coach Rob Ambrose, there are several areas he has to feel better about this week. One, the Tigers did not turn the ball over the entire ball game. That's six less than against Kent State two weeks ago. Grant Enders was very efficient at quarterback, and Erron Banks again looks like the guy who led the Tigers in receiving two years ago. Erron was hurt early in the season last year; by the time he got back, the Tiger offense was clicking and there was really no room left.

Coach Ambrose should also be pleased with the way the Tiger running game improved so much from Week One to Week Two. Against Kent State, the Tigers ran the ball 30 times for just 70 yards. This past weekend against the Tribe, Towson ran the ball 50 times for 247 yards. When you can average almost five yards a carry, you can control the clock and put yourself into position to win. The Tigers did that this weekend.

Give credit to the Towson defense, the Tigers really shut down the William & Mary passing attack. The Tigers locked down Tre McBride all day. The Tribe wide receiver had over 90 yards through the air in both of William & Mary's first two games. Against Towson, he had just two catches for 39 yards. The Tigers also held the Tribe scoreless for half the second quarter, the entire third quarter, and half the fourth. That's half the game.

Talking with Coach Ambrose after the game, he was relieved but very happy to get the win. There is still plenty of room for improvement, and that's what this coaching staff will love. They get a win but still get to point out those areas the Tigers have to get better at. As Rob said in the post game interview, the Tigers are high-value entertainment. No doubt about that.

This week, the Tigers are back at Unitas Stadium for homecoming. It's always an exciting day for us alums, we get to see many of our classmates come back to campus. And it always makes the day extra special when you have a winning football team.

When the schedule came out for this season, homecoming opponent St Francis (Pa.) looked like a walkover. Well, over the last two weeks, this team has put up over 1000 yards of offense. St Francis (Pa.) has been down for years, but they will come into the U with a 2-1 record. Winning breeds confidence, and the Red Flash will come into Unitas Stadium with plenty of that. I am sure Towson's coaching staff will get that across to the players this week.

Don't forget to join me and Damon Lewis this Thursday night for Tiger Talk at Bill Bateman's Bistro on campus. We will be on from 6-7 p.m. Football coach Rob Ambrose will be with us for the second half of the program, while another Tiger head coach will join us in the first half hour. If you can't make it out to Bateman's, tune in to Tiger Talk right here on Towsontigers.com, or your iPhone or Android.

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