A key to Gordy Combs? daily routine is a mid-day workout. He said he also gets a pretty good workout on Saturdays in recent years, walking the sidelines as coach of the Towson University football team.
This weekend?s showdown with Delaware should be one of his better workouts.
“It depends on the game,” Combs said. “I?ll take a long one this week, because it?ll be a good ballgame.”
The Tigers (5-2) and Blue Hens (4-3) have split their last two meetings ? the first two in Towson?s Atlantic 10 Conference history. This year will offer an interesting twist to the intrastate rivalry, as the two athletic programs have announced the Pigskin Pass event leading up to the game.
Towson student-athletes will start carrying a commemorative game ball from Towson?s Unitas Stadium today at noon, traversing from local roads to Route 40. The ball will be taken to Festival Park in Aberdeen, where Delaware student-athletes will take over, cross the Susquehanna River and deliver the ball to Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadiumin time for the game.
“I think it could be a really neat tradition here between us and Delaware,” Combs said.
Towson is coming off a 21-13 win at Villanova last Saturday, while Delaware is riding high after a come-from behind 28-24 win over then-No. 10 Richmond.
The atmosphere at Delaware should be electric, but Combs doesn?t think it will bother his offense, which thrives under sophomore quarterback Sean Schaefer.
“Because of his poise, he won?t have any problem with that,” Combs said. “He?s even-keel all the time.”
Schaefer started last Saturday after missing the previous game and four days of practice with a potentially contagious illness. He returned after participating in Friday night?s walk-through and passed for 324 yards and two touchdowns against Villanova.
“He?s what makes us go,” Combs said. “He?s that type of quarterback that he is a huge factor in the game.”
The game will likely be determined through the air. Towson thrives on the passing attack, and Combs is concerned about an improving Delaware passing game. But the only stat Combs truly concerns himself with is victories.
“I like it a lot when they come in that left-hand column,” he said.
Susquehanna River showdown
» The Tigers are without linebacker Brian Bradford (sprained MCL). Delaware native Maurice Wilkins will start in his place.
» Delaware leads the all-time series, 4-3.
» Towson beat Delaware last year, 35-31, after losing to the Blue Hens, 21-17, in 2004.
