It won?t be difficult to find Andrae Brown in a crowded Unitas Stadium this afternoon. He?ll be the guy with the smile bursting out of his yellow-and-black Towson University football helmet.
“I know when he?s down because I don?t see that beautiful smile of his,” Tigers coach Gordy Combs said.
Brown, a preseason All-Atlantic 10 Conference receiver, is returning from a broken bone in his hand. The Randallstown native and Milford Mill graduate has missed the Tigers? first four games and the team?s first 4-0 start since 1993.
His work in practice over the past two weeks has gotten him primed for a return, and he has also been a bright presence to his teammates.
“It brings other people up,” Brown said before the injury of his practice mentality. “Whatever you?re going through at home ? when you?re at practice, nothing else should be on your mind.”
He rejoins a Division I-AA passing attack that ranks No. 1 in the nation in yardage. And he completes a month-long movement during which the Tigers have seen a number of key players return from injury.
“As healthy as we?ve been all season,” Combs said.
Junior running back Nick Williams returned two weeks ago and is at full strength again this week. The team was able to develop depth in the absence of both stars, but their return is welcomed.
“We?re real pleased with the progressed we?ve made to date,” offensive coordinator Phil Albert said. “But at the same time, we?re excited to get those guys back on the field because they have the potential to take it to the house.”
The timing of Brown?s return is great. The Tigers are ranked No. 17 in the nation in I-AA, but they?re still underdogs against Maine (2-2) today.
“I like the fact that we have to prove ourselves,” Combs said. “It?s easier to motivate.”
But don?t expect Brown to need much motivation before today?s game.
“He?s not one of those guys you have to play those games with,” said receivers coach Guilian Gary. “You don?t have to motivate Andrae. He?s been itching and clawing to get back into this thing.”
Brown caught 63 balls for 870 yards and eight touchdowns last season ?all career highs. But while the Tigers? passing game garners attention, Combs takes pride in knowing that teams can?t key in on any particular facet of the offense.
“Pick your poison. We have weapons,” Combs said. “We don?t have just one weapon where we have to put all our eggs in one basket.”
Maine, on the other hand, has done just that on offense. Senior running back Arel Gordon leads the team in both rushing (374 yards, 2 TDs) and receiving (139 yards).
Combs and Albert prefer to let the game?s pace dictate their offense. But you can expect Brown to be a part of the action.
“He?s a big-play guy,” Combs said. “You try to get the ball in his hands to make big plays because he can make people miss in the open field.”
If nothing else, just being there will lift a burden on his teammates.
“Without a smile on your face, you?re not loving the game,” Brown said. “You?ve got to love the game.”
