In 2005, Towson University football head coach Gordy Combs and his Tigers orchestrated upset victories over Division I-AA powers Villanova and Delaware. With the beginning of the 2006 season just two weeks away, the Tigers have their sights set higher.
“Winning. A championship,” junior tailback Nick Williams said matter-of-factly. “That?s it.”
Towson topped 2003 I-AA champion Delaware, 35-31, just a month before a 40-19 win over Villanova. Those two upsets put Towson on the map in arguably the toughest Division I-AA conference in the country.
“One of my closest friends won a nationalchampionship [in 2004] with James Madison, and he said a lot of teams really respect us,” junior corner Eric Clark said. “We?re not a rollover team anymore. Teams don?t walk in here thinking, ?This is going to be an easy win.? ”
After a winless inaugural season, the Tigers put together a 6-5 overall record in 2005, with three Atlantic-10 Conference wins.
“I think that we couldn?t have handpicked two better teams to beat,” Combs said. “They?re just programs right in the heart of our recruiting area. Beating those two has given our program a tremendous amount of respect.”
The respect earned in 2005 came behind breakout seasons from two very young backfield mates ? redshirt freshman Sean Schaefer and Williams. Schaefer threw for 2,772 yards and 20 touchdowns, and Williams ran for 911 yards and seven touchdowns.
“I just feel like if [Schaefer] continues to progress, he?ll break all of Danny Crowley?s records, and throw for over 8,000 yards” Combs said, referring to Towson?s record-setting quarterback of 1991-94. After just one seasons, Schaefer has climbed to 11th all-time in passing yardage at the school.
Part of his success comes from an accurate arm and a solid receiving corps. But Combs points to his pocket presence.
“He?s got great composure; he?s got great poise,” Combs said. “Just from my small dealings, in watching Tom Brady, that?s who he reminds me of.”
For the team to improve in 2006, though, the offensive line must come together after three starters depart. The three holes will be filled with inexperienced, yet talented, linemen.
“You?re concerned when you take 70 starts out of your lineup,” Combs said.
The defense is undergoing changes as well. A very athletic group will be headed up by new defensive coordinator Bob Benson, who comes to Towson after 13 seasons at the helm of the Georgetown program.
“I think wehave a lot of athletes, and that was one of the reasons why we liked the things Bobby did in Georgetown,” Combs said. “We just felt his style of play would fit our style of play. We?re just trying to get as many athletes on the field.”
The Tigers must replace all-conference corner Allante Harrison and fellow corner Davon Telp, who holds a school record for interception return yardage.
“They?ve got some up-and-coming corners that are going to open some eyes,” said Andrae Brown, Towson?s preseason all-conference receiver.
Brown, who caught a team-best 63 passes for 870 yards and eight touchdowns, goes up against a group that features some key transfers. Junior defensive back Kaliq Price recently transferred from Iowa. Combs expects him to compete for playing time at corner and safety.
“It?s interesting because he was friends with John Webb and [junior defensive back] Kenny Scott, and that?s one of the reasons we got him,” Combs said. “It came down to us and Villanova.”
Perhaps more interesting will be the recruiting flow following another conference upset.
