Backup quarterbacks are often afforded a small window of opportunity in which to prove themselves. For Towson junior Andrew Goldbeck, this weekend?s game at Villanova is key for both himself and the Tigers.
Goldbeck, who started for Towson as a redshirt freshman in 2004, will start in place of starter Sean Schaefer for the secondstraight game. Schaefer, a sophomore, missed last weekend?s loss to Massachusetts with an undisclosed illness. Schaefer did not take a snap all week in practice. The news of his illness hit the team late last Friday.
Goldbeck “didn?t even have a 24-hour notice,” Towson coach Gordy Combs said. “It was more like 22.”
This week, Goldbeck and the Tigers (4-2 overall, 1-2 Atlantic 10 Conference) had a little more time to prepare.
“We put in a little package for Andrae Brown, [like we had] when he was a youngster,” Combs said. “We always call it the ?Drae package. And Andrew got all the reps this week.”
Brown, the Tigers? top receiver entering the season, was in competition for the starting quarterback job as a freshman. Should Goldbeck falter, Brown would fill in with a more option- and run-oriented offense.
The best-case scenario has Goldbeck playing the entire game, and playing well.
“There?s no limitations on him now,” Combs said. “I thought Coach [Albert] called a great game plan [last week.]”
After UMass limited the Tigers? offense to short passing plays, Goldbeck will attempt more shots downfield against the Wildcats (2-4, 1-2). He will face a tough defensive front at Villanova Stadium, but he?s been there before, as Towson?s starter two years ago.
“He?s an older guy. He?s an experienced guy,” Combs said. “I?m sure he?s not happy with his role, but he understands his role.”
AILING TIGERS
» Sean Schaefer will miss just his second game since taking over as the Tigers? starter last fall.
» Towson returns corner Eric Clark, who was out last week, but will be without reserve defensive back Jeff Snow (foot).
» This game marks the third meeting between the two programs. Towson won last year?s game, 40-19, at Unitas Stadium. Villanova won the ?04 meeting, 41-6.
