After the TowsonUniversity football team?s crushing, last-second loss to visiting William & Mary Saturday, Tigers coach Gordy Combs simply had to take a mental trip back 13 years to salvage any playoff hopes.
In 1993, Towson defeated Delaware, 32-30, with two games remaining. But the 8-3 Blue Hens were given a playoff berth over the 8-2 Tigers.
Combs isn?t completely heartbroken by Saturday?s loss.
“I?m not discouraged,” Combs said. “Any time when you lose a game by one point in the last five seconds, it gets to you. We had a lot out there riding on the game.”
But Combs won?t allow this year?s Tigers (6-3 overall, 3-3 Atlantic 10 Conference) to deflate after Saturday?s 29-28 loss.
“We won?t let it be a hangover,” Combs said. “I won?t let it be a hangover either.”
Now, the Tigers must travel to No. 25 Richmond Saturday for a conference clash with the Spiders (5-4).
“We?re in a heck of a conference,” Combs said, noting that there are routinely five A-10 teams in the top 25.
Injuries have played a role for both Towson and Richmond, and now they?ll play a decisive factor in how the conference shakes out.
“You have to be ready to play every week,” Combs said. “You change every week who you are ? and your injuries are a factor.”
Last weekend, Towson was without linebacker Brian Bradford (knee injury), and lineman T.J. Foley (lower back) was sidelined for all but eight plays. In their absence, the Tigers? defense struggled with tackling late in the game. Both could return this weekend.
For Richmond, injuries have changed an offense that previously relied on sophomore running back John Crone. Along with Crone?s injury, the Spiders changed quarterbacks last week, opting to go with sophomore Levi Brown.
Richmond won at Unitas Stadium last season, 46-21.
This weekend, Combs will be stressing the basics with his team.
“You?ve got to block, and you?ve got to tackle ? basic fundamentals,” Combs said, noting that the Tigers failed in those two aspects against William & Mary.
That said, Towson?s season is far from over with two games remaining.
“Anything can happen,” Combs said.
