In the past, losing two of its biggest offensive weapons would have posed a catastrophic hurdle for the Towson University football program.
Now, with depth at nearly every position, head coach Gordy Combs isn?t panicking with starting tailback Nick Williams (Calvert Hall) and explosive wide receiver Andrae Brown (Milford Mill) out for Saturday?s season opener against Baltimore rival Morgan State.
“I just feel like we?re two-deep all the way across ? and we?ll utilize that depth, especially if it?s a warm day Saturday,” Combs said, looking ahead to the 6 p.m. game at Towson.
Williams, who has a strained hamstring, is “pretty doubtful” for the contest, according to Combs. The coach indicated Williams could miss another game, as well.
“A year or two ago, it would have hurt us to have these type of hits,” Combs said. “The thing we had to develop was the upperclassmen depth.”
Williams rushed for 911 yards on 192 carries last year, finding the end zone seven times. He had 141 yards on 19 carries against Morgan State.
Look for senior Kerry Miles (seven TDs in ?05) and junior Rasheed McClaude (two TDs) to split the bulk of the carries Saturday.
“We feel very good about our tailback situation,” Combs said.
Meanwhile, Brown is likely out until October with a broken finger on his right hand.
“It?s going to take a while to heal,” Combs said, adding that Brown has a plate and screw inserted at the break. “Thankfully, he?s a young man and a great athlete, and they have a tendency to heal quicker.”
Combs hopes that Brown, a preseason Atlantic 10 all-conference first-team selection, can return for the Maine game on Oct. 7.
Brown caught 63 balls last year for 870 yards and eight touchdowns, leading the team in every category.
Still, depth at receiver is not an issue, with senior Eric Yancey and sophomore Marcus Lee entrenched in starting roles and with juniors Dayron Arnold (Milford Mill), Demetrius Harrison (Old Mill) and Paul Perry all capable of filling in.
Tigers and Bears
» When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
» Where: Johnny Unitas Stadium
