When Towson University senior running back Rasheed McClaude found out he would be starting the team?s season-opener Thursday nightagainst Central Connecticut State, he was ready to make the most of his opportunity.
“I was anxious to get out there, all of our veterans kept me pumped, got me ready,” he said. “I know to always be ready, that?s what coach always says. Just make a play, that?s what we do.”
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And McClaude did just that?rushing for a career-high 111 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in a 20-10 victory in front of 7,276 at Unitas Stadium.
McClaude started the game in place of senior Nick Williams, who was suspended for a violation of team rules. McClaude took his first carry of the season 39-yards off-left tackle on the second play of the game. But the transfer from Kent State already proved he could be productive last year when he started two games in place of an injured Williams. He finished the season rushing for a team-high 344 yards and two touchdowns on 81 carries.
“I think everyone was playing pretty well, but it was our first game and we were seeing things we weren?t used to,” McClaude said. “They were doing a lot of things like slanting. We just had to take our time to find our holes and calm down a little bit and start popping them.”
And start popping they did.
Towson committed to the running game in the second half to wear down Central Connecticut State (0-1) by involving McClaude more in the attack. With 12 carries in the second half, he was able to pound the defense and sprung a 28-yard burst up the middle early in the fourth quarter, setting up Mark Bencivengo?s decisive 39-yard field goal with 9:24 remaining.
McClaude capped the victory by trotting into the end zone from a yard out with 2:51 remaining.
Williams is slated to return to the starting lineup next Saturday afternoon at 4 when the Tigers play at Morgan State (1-0). But Towson coach Gordy Combs said McClaude will continue to get playing time, which could give him the opportunity to supplant Williams in the starting lineup when the Tigers open Colonial Athletic Association play at UMass on Sept. 15.
“We played without Nick Williams tonight but we utilized our depth with our running back situation,” Combs said. “We reacted to adversity today.”
