With the NCAA Selection Committee's decision to keep the Towson University Tigers out of the NCAA FCS playoffs, many of us are doing more than just scratching our heads. This team has had a phenomenal year. Did the committee see Towson won three of its last four games on the road against ranked teams? Did they see Towson had wins over two of the three teams from the conference that made the field? And most importantly, did they even know the Tigers DESTROYED New Hampshire this past Saturday, 64-35? It was a game where the Tigers could have scored 78 points if Coach Rob Ambrose hadn't decided to call off the dogs in the fourth quarter.
After the game yesterday, everyone in the travel party was asking, "Do you think that gets us in?" I felt it would come down to us and Richmond. The Colonial Athletic Association's (CAA) conference power ranking was not great this year. Thus, I didn't think the conference would get four teams in. Old Dominion was an obvious choice, and then Villanova got the automatic bid. My thought was that it would be a Tiger or a Spider headed to the playoffs. Never did I ever imagine that New Hampshire would still be in the picture. The Wildcats played all the teams with losing records in the conference. They lost to ODU as did Towson. But then came 64-35. Was that overlooked? Did the selection committee forget about it? Did that score not make it to wherever the selection committee needs? Those are questions I would love to ask. I'm sure the folks down in Richmond feel the same way we do here in Towson.
But it's not all doom and gloom. We have the memories of this football team being a co-champion in the conference. They gave us a lot to cheer about. This team played hard all season long. It started with the first game of the year against Kent State. Towson fell behind early but played hard to the end.
The worst part about being a college broadcaster is getting to know the student-athletes during their four years and then watching them leave. The seniors on this Towson football team are some of the finest young men we have ever had at this university. They say that a quarterback has to be a leader. Grant Enders certainly lead on the field. Off the field he is one of the most polite players I have encountered. Tom Ryan is a kid that played his heart out for four years. He finishes as one of the Tigers' finest wide receivers and has been getting looks from the NFL. His parents, Mark and Marie Ryan, are two of the most passionate parents I have ever met.
Dominique Booker is a young man that will go far in life. He is a charismatic, hard working guy. His play over the last couple of weeks have been extraordinary. I will miss seeing him at practice every week. Erron Banks is another young man who has great things in front of him. He is as unselfish as any player to ever wear a Tiger uniform.
On the defensive side, Romale Tucker played hard on the field and worked hard in the classroom. Frank Beltre overcame personal grief this year and was a team leader all the way. I have a feeling Frank will find himself in some teams training camp this summer. Finally, there is Jordan Dangerfield. He hits as hard as any player I have seen ANYWHERE. NFL scouts have been looking at Jordan for the last two years. He, like Frank Beltre have been great leaders for this Tiger team. I know that Coach Ambrose is going to miss all of his seniors, but the leadership of Frank and Jordan are going to be very hard to replace.
Even though the Tigers did not reach their goal of getting back to the playoffs and doing some damage, this team and these seniors have given us some great memories to remember fondly.
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there is no Tiger Talk this Thursday. Damon Lewis and I will be back on November 29 with another edition from 6-7 pm.
Have a great holiday everyone.
