Towson’s win over Rhode Island Saturday could not have come at a more critical time.
The Tigers (3-4 overall, 1-2 Colonial Athletic Conference) have this week off before playing four of their last five games against teams ranked in the Football Championship Subdivision’s top 25, beginning on Oct. 25 at fourth-ranked New Hampshire (4-1, 1-1)
“If we would have lost,” Towson coach Gordy Combs said, “my mood would not have been very good the next two weeks.”
The Tigers avoided losing their homecoming game for the third straight year by holding on for a 37-32 victory over Rhode Island (2-5, 0-3) in a game in which the teams combined for 41 points in the fourth quarter.
Towson led, 37-19, after senior quarterback Sean Schaefer connected on a 38-yard touchdown pass to tight end John Godlasky with six minutes, 28 seconds remaining. But Rhode Island rallied to score two touchdowns in the next three minutes before the Tigers secured the victory by stopping the Rams on Towson’s 29-yard line.
“It was really a wild fourth quarter,” Combs said. “We were able to win despite a number of youthful mistakes. I thought we played very well defensively until the fourth quarter. But, fortunately we made the big defensive plays at the end.”
Schaefer completed 25-of-34 passes for 373 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. The Dunkirk native has thrown for 10,211 passing yards in his illustrious career, making him one of just 20 quarterback sin FCS history at amass at least 10,000 yards.
After facing New Hampshire, the Tigers host William and Mary (3-2, 1-1) on Nov. 1 before playing at No. 20 Delaware (2-4, 0-2) and No. 13 Villanova (4-1, 2-0) on Nov. 8 and Nov. 15. The Tigers close the season against top-ranked James Madison (6-1, 4-0) at Johnny Unitas Stadium on Nov. 22.
“The biggest thing about this win was helping our confidence,” Schaefer said. “We struggled at the beginning of the year. It was one of those spots where you have to remember how to win. I think it gave us confidence knowing we can compete against teams in this conference. We still have five tough games coming up and we just have to take it week by week and hopefully pull this thing out.”
Towson’s much-maligned defense and rushing game came through with some key plays. Junior Matt Castor rushed for a career-high 111 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries for the Tigers, who averaged just 1.8 yards a rush entering the game.
Towson’s defense had given up just three points through three quarters. Rhode Island scored its first nine points in the first quarter on a safety, followed immediately after by a 72-yard kickoff return by former Arundel standout Brandon Johnson-Farrell. The Tigers entered the game ranked 103rd out of 118 FCS teams in total defense, yielding 421.8 yards per game.
“We have to learn from our mistakes,” Towson safety Drew Mack said. “We lost containment on most of those big plays. We have to take care of that and I’m just happy we came away with a win.”
TIGERS (3-4) vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE (4-1)
When: Oct. 25, noon
Where: Cowell Stadium, Durham, N.H.
TV/Radio: Comcast SportsNet/1570 AM
