Towson has averaged just 14 points during its three game losing streak, and Coach Gordy Combs knows that’s simply not good enough to win in the Colonial Athletic Association, a league that features six teams ranked in the Football Championship Subdivision Top 25.
When Towson (2-3, 0-3 CAA) had a chance to score touchdowns against William & Mary, it settled for field goals, and that was the difference in a 27-22 loss in which Towson squandered a 13-0 lead entering the second quarter. And afterfailing to find the end zone consistently against a mediocre team, Towson will spend the week figuring out how to score touchdowns against one of the CAA?s best teams on Saturday.
Towson will likely have to win its remaining six games to qualify for the 16-team Football Championship Subdivision playoffs-and it all begins with defeating No. 25 Richmond (3-1 overall, 2-0 ) on Saturday at noon at Johnny Unitas Stadium
“What you have to do is get back on track, do the things you are supposed to do,” Combs said. “Discipline yourself and get in routines with going to class and getting out on the practice field.”
Towson?s loss against William & Mary (3-2, 1-2) mirrored its sluggish performances in each of the past three games. Quarterback Sean Schaefer continued to struggle, completing 21-of-40 passes for 208 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. But Combs is sticking with the junior who has thrown 11 interceptions and just seven touchdowns passes this season.
Towson had the opportunity to put the game away early against The Tribe. The Tigers penetrated inside The Tribe’s 20-yard line three times in the first quarter, but instead of coming away with 21 points, they mustered just a touchdown and two field goals. It ended up costing them the game.
“Here’s an opportunity for 21 points and we only get [13 early in the game] and you can’t do that in this league with the teams that score well,” Combs said. “You have to cash in opportunities.”
Towson didn’t play as horribly as it did during lopsided-losses to third-ranked UMass and then-11th-ranked Delaware when a porous offensive line gave up 11 sacks combined. However, Towson will need to produce one of its best efforts of the season to beat Richmond, which defeated No. 11 New Hampshire, 45-38, on Saturday for its third straight victory since opening the season with a loss against Southeastern Conference affiliate Vanderbilt.
For the second straight week, Towson?s defense showed signs of life. Linebacker Brian Bradford, who entered the game as the 10th leading tackler in the FCS, added 12 more against The Tribe, upping his season total to 57 through 5 games. The Tribe gained just 12 first downs and amassed only 284 yards of total offense, but it was still enough to beat Towson for the fourth straight year.
However the group showed improvement on Saturday.
“Our defense is playing well and it’s a credit to them,” Combs said. “They have improved and the coaches are working with them to get better.”
