Gordy Combs has coached or played in 398 of the 407 games in Towson history. But the Tigers head coach said none can compare to Saturday afternoon’s season opener against Navy.
“It’s gotta rank as the highest,” Combs said. “I’ve always said playing Delaware was so important for our program because of where they are, and the respect you have for a program like that, and we try to imitate them. Playing the Naval Academy is so different than playing any other team because they have that esprit de corp.”
That spirit and camaraderie will be just one of many obstacles the Tigers must overcome if they want to upset Navy in both teams’ season opener at 3:30 at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in front of a national audience on CBS College Sports Network.
But Towson doesn’t have to look far for inspiration.
Delaware, a Colonial Athletic Association and Football Championship Subdivision rival upset Navy, 59-52, in Annapolis last fall. In college football across the country, it has become more common for teams from the smaller FCS to upset Football Bowl Subdivision schools. The game is Towson’s first against a school from the larger classification.
Navy, however, went 8-5 last season and played in its school-record fifth consecutive bowl game. Led by senior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, the Midshipmen had one of the country’s top offenses last year, averaging more than 39 points and 444 yards per game.
But Kaheaku-Enhada will miss Saturday’s game with a lingering hamstring injury, meaning the burden to orchestrate the run-oriented triple option offense falls to senior Jarod Bryant, making just his third start.
Towson counters with four-year starter Sean Schaefer under center. The Tigers offense averaged just 15.5 points per game last season, but Schaefer is one of the top quarterbacks in the FCS.
The real matchup to watch, however, is between the defenses. Navy’s was one of the worst in the country last year, but returns eight starters and will be better than the unit which allowed more than 36 points per game.
Towson returns seven starters on its defense, but must replace several key players, including safety Kenny Scott, linebacker John Webb and All-American linebacker Brian Bradford.
“Practice seems forever,” Navy senior fullback Eric Kettani said. “With the preseason it’s just practice everyday and working hard. Everybody is getting antsy for the game.”
What Towson stands to gain
Towson is playing its first game against a school from the larger Football Bowl Subdivision. A win, or even a close loss, earns the Tigers a lot of respect and could be the catalyst to forgetting last year’s 3-8 season.
It’s all new for Navy under first-year coach Ken Niumatalolo. The way the Midshipmen respond to the changes, especially on offense, will determine not only if they win, but if they are capable of making their sixth straight bowl game. — Dave Carey
Three keys to the outcome
- 1 Which team will get defensive? The defenses for both teams have plenty of questions surrounding them. Navy returns a unit that ranked 108th out of 119 teams last season, yielding more than 36 points and 439 yards per game. Towson lost a number of key defenders from last year, including All-American linebacker Brian Bradford, linebacker John Webb and safety Kenny Scott from a group that allowed an average of 22 points per game. Whichever unit gels quicker and can disrupt their opponent’s offense will win the game.
- 2 Navy’s Jarod Bryant or Towson’s Sean Schaefer? The game’s starting quarterbacks couldn’t be more different in skill sets. Bryant, a senior, isn’t the most gifted passer, but ran for 464 yards and five touchdowns last season and is replacing injured Midshipman starter Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada who is out with a hamstring injury. Schaefer, a four-year starter for the Tigers, is the leading returning passer in the Football Championship Subdivision and has 8,358 career passing yards to go with 51 touchdown passes. Bryant is making his third career start, but Schaefer must jump-start an offense that averaged just 15.5 points per game last fall.
- 3 Who will make the fewest mistakes? Early season games typically hinge on which teams execute well in the kicking game and don’t turn the ball over. Both Towson (minus-11) and Navy (minus-2) had more turnovers thank takeaways last year, but return experienced kickers Mark Bencivengo and Matt Harmon, who each have accurate range to nearly 45-yards. — Dave Carey
TOWSON VS. NAVY: Matchups to watch
RB MATT CASTOR VS. LB CLINT SOVIE
The 5-foot-10, 200-pounder from Mt. Airy will get the first chance to be the team’s feature back, but he must make tacklers miss to stay on the field.
The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder is returning from an ankle injury that kept him out of 10 games last season. His experience and toughness should bolster a defense that was one of the worst in the country last fall.
DB DREW MACK VS. SB SHUN WHITE
The 6-foot-1 205-pounder out of Landisville is a preaseason all-CAA selection, but must be disciplined against the option to take away pitch plays and not bite on play-action passes.
The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder is the fastest Midshipmen, running a 4.35 second 40-yard dash and ran for 620 yards and seven touchdowns on just 78 carries last fall.
LB ALEX BUTT VS. C RICKY MOORE
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior former Hereford standout is expected to make his first start for the Tigers and will be counted on to replace All-American Brian Bradford.
The 6-foot-4, 295-pounder also is making his first start. The senior has struggled picking up the inside blitz in scrimmages but must find a way to become the anchor of the offensive line.
PREDICTION
Towson has enough offensive talent with quarterback Sean Schaefer to keep the game close, but Navy’s grinding rushing attack and superior speed will be the difference as the Tigers’ defense won’t be able to stop the pounding running game.
Navy 41, Towson 24
Catch Towson at Navy
Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
TV: CBS College Sports Network; Radio: 1090 AM; 1570 AM
