Towson senior quarterback Sean Schaefer needs only to look across the locker room to see his biggest fan.
“I tell everybody that Sean Schaefer is my favorite college football player,” Tigers safety Drew Mack said. “When he is on the field we always have a chance.”
But Mack should get in line to heap praise up the former Northern High School standout. The weekly Colonial Athletic Association coaches’ teleconference usually has more praise and adulation for Schaefer than he’s ever received at a family reunion.
And why shouldn’t he be respected?
Schaefer has done it all for the Tigers — upset high ranked teams, routinely throw for 300 or more yards, lead fourth-quarter comebacks and overtake former Tiger Terry Crowley as the school’s all-time leading passer with more than 8,900 career yards.
“I just want to win and that’s been tough for us lately,” Schaefer said. “With it being my senior year, I want to treasure every moment I have.”
Schaefer, who has thrown for 1,480 yards with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions this season, will try to become just the 20th quarterback in Football Championship Subdivision history to reach the 10,000-yard mark for his career. Schaefer has 9,788 yards following a 35-17 loss to Northeastern last weekend. Former Raven Steve McNair holds the FCS record for most career passing yards with 14,496, a mark he set from 1991-1994 at Alcorn State.
Schaefer likely will reach the 10,000-yard benchmark when the Tigers (2-4, 0-2 CAA) host Rhode Island (2-4, 0-2) on homecoming on Saturday afternoon at 3 at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
The Rams have yielded an average of 28.2 points and 412.3 yards per game, but are coming off a 37-13 upset of then-25th ranked Brown. The Rams, who are switching from an option, run-heavy offense to a pass-oriented attack, are led by quarterback Derek Cassidy, who has thrown for 1,628 yards with 11 touchdowns against 7 interceptions and run for two more scores.
The Rams have won five of the past six meetings against the Tigers, with Towson winning the most recent meeting in 2005.
But with Sean Schaefer, Towson coach Gordy Combs says his team always has a chance.
“He’s so accurate, such a competitor and sells himself out on each play,” Combs said. “He has that burning desire to win and excel.”
Up next
Towson (2-4, 0-2) vs. Rhode Island (2-4, 0-2)
When: Saturday, 3 p.m.
Where: Johnny Unitas Stadium
Radio: 1570 AM
Tickets: Available
