Towson coach Gordy Combs knows he?s giving the same explanations every week ? and Saturday was no different. Following the Tigers? 16-13 defeat at Maine ? their sixth in seven games ? he reiterated Towson continues to do more to stop itself than any opponent has all season.
“We turned the ball over again,” Combs said. “We dropped a couple balls. We did the same things we did since the beginning of the year in losing games.”
Those things are dropped passes, turnovers, penalties and poor blocking. Towson (3-6, 1-5 Colonial Athletic Association) had 5 penalties for 61 yards against Maine (3-6, 2-4), but it turned the ball over four times – leading directly to nine points by the Black Bears. The Tigers rushed for just 46 yards on 20 carries, proving they have plenty of room for improvement if they are to defeat Villanova (5-3, 3-3) for the second straight year Saturday at noon at Johnny Unitas Stadium on Senior Day. The Wildcats are coming off a 35-27 loss to No. 11 Richmond.
“We?ve had good senior leadership and that will continue to grow,” Combs said. “We have 17, 18 seniors and it will be Senior Day on Saturday and that?s always an emotional day.”
The Tigers have a chance to get on track offensively against a defense that allows 26.6 points per game and 395.7 yards. But for Towson to be successful, it is integral the offensive line protects quarterback Sean Schaefer, who has thrown a career-high 18 interceptions against only 10 touchdowns this season. However, Combs must find someone to replace center Nick Bradway, who sprained his ankle against Maine and mayhave played his last game as a Tiger.
Combs is hoping left tackle Antonio Logan-El can show why he was regarded so highly by scouts as a senior at Forestville High two years ago after he struggled in his first start on Saturday.
“He?s got a long way to go,” Combs said. “He needs to just step it up, and not having been here in the spring and preseason in terms of practice with nagging injuries, he is just catching up.”
