In the Atlantic 10 Conference, every game is a dogfight. At least, that?s the mantra that the Towson University football coaching staff has used throughout a 4-0 start.
Saturday was a good example of that, as the No. 17 Tigers were defeated by previously unranked Maine, 28-7, to slip to 4-1.
“The reason you have upsets is because people match up differently,” said Towson coach Gordy Combs, whose team is now ranked No. 22 in Division I-AA. “If you go by [previous] scores, why would we even play?”
The Tigers (4-1 overall, 0-1 conference) had difficulty stopping the Black Bears? running game. Maine rushed for 255 yards on 36 carries, an average of seven yards per carry.
And Towson couldn?t get its rushing attack started, rushing 37 times for 41 yards. On top of that, nine quarterback sacks by the Maine defense hindered Towson?s passing game.
“All the sacks weren?t protection problems,” Combs said, adding that a number of them should be credited to the Maine secondary and tight coverage. “It was a combination of everything.”
Towson suffered three turnovers, including two fumbles, and Maine had none.
“They didn?t have a turnover Saturday,” Combs said. “That?s the bottom line.”
Things won?t get easier from here for the Tigers. The final six games of the schedule feature three teams ? Massachusetts, Richmond and James Madison ? ranked in the Sports Network Top 25. Up next on the schedule is No. 8 Massachusetts (4-1, 2-0), which embarrassed William & Mary, 48-7, on Saturday.
“I think they?re probably one of the most complete football teams we?ve played against,” Combs said. “It?s not going to be just a physical challenge, but a mental challenge.”
Saturday?s 3 p.m. game is Towson?s homecoming, and last fall, the Tigers made a big splash with a homecoming upset of Delaware.
“It?s probably as close to a I-A team as we?re going to get in the history of our program,” Combs said.
But he refused to put any extra importance on the game.
“When you only play 11, and you play eight conference games, they?re all important,” Combs said. “I don?t like to put that mark on a specific game.”
NO HOMECOMING CAKEWALK
» This is the first meeting between Towson and UMass, which averages 426.8 yards of total offense per game.
» Towson is 24-9 all-time in homecoming games.
» Towson defeated rival Delaware, 35-31, in its 2005 homecoming game. Delaware, which Towson visits Oct. 28, recently dropped from the Top 25.
