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CAA Title, Playoffs Within Towson's Reach
By Simon Habtemariam
For the first time since its formation in 2007, the Colonial Athletic Association football championship chase involves the Towson Tigers. Towson (8-2, 6-1 CAA) travels to face the Rhode Island Rams (3-7, 2-5 CAA) Saturday for their regular season finale.
Currently, the Tigers share the same record with the Maine Black Bears, who Towson beat two weeks ago, 40-30. If the Towson and Maine both win this weekend, they will share the CAA Championship, with the Tigers receiving the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA FCS playoffs.
"If they don't let us into the playoffs, something is ridiculously wrong in the world," Towson coach Rob Ambrose said. "It was a goal from the first day I got here, it's everybody's goal -- always.
"Nobody says, 'Hey, let's play to lose.' But, you can't get there by focusing on that goal. There are a million little things in the way that have to be taken care of, and if you don't take care of them, you don't get there. Those things have been taken care of."
The No. 8 Tigers, fresh off a 56-42 win against the New Hampshire Wildcats, have a shot at an undisputed CAA title this week, with a win and a Maine loss to the Wildcats. After beating New Hampshire a week ago, the Tigers moved up to their highest national ranking in program history.
During their home finale, the Tigers' win against the Wildcats was their first in eight meetings. The last time New Hampshire visited Unitas Stadium, they handed the Tigers a 57-7 loss, the school's all-time worst loss at home.
Led by freshman Terrance West's career-high 261 yards and four touchdowns, the Tigers bested the Wildcats during a 14-touchdown game.
"I knew it was going to be a shootout," Ambrose said. "To be honest, we knew we had to be very efficient with the ball, offensively, early, to make sure they couldn't run away with it. They are very explosive and they don't stop."
While the Rams have had a lackluster season so far, they are 3-1 at home this season and during the last two years have beat five nationally ranked opponents at home. The Rams are coming off a 31-13 loss to James Madison, and do not have much else to play for except the satisfaction of being a season spoiler.
The Tigers' storybook season has been one of the most dramatic program turnarounds in college football history. Towson, who won only one game a year ago and did not beat a single conference opponent, is all but guaranteed a playoff berth this year.
The turnaround Tigers also have hopes for several individual honors by the people that made this season possible. Freshman sensation Terrance West currently leads the nation with 25 touchdowns, which as of Saturday broke the school's single-season scoring record. All season, the rookie has been a candidate for the Jerry Rice Award for the most outstanding freshman performer in the country. But as of his record-breaking performance against New Hampshire, West was also named to the watch list for the Walter Payton Award for the overall most outstanding player in the nation, an award that has never gone to a freshman.
Head coach Rob Ambrose is also making a run for NCAA FCS coach of the year. Before this season, the Tigers were 3-19 during Ambrose's first two seasons. But the Towson alum and former Connecticut offensive coordinator has brought a new culture to the entire Towson campus, first and foremost by winning.
The Tigers also boast a committee of All-American candidates in West, sophomore quarterback Grant Enders, defensive end Frank Beltre, safety Jordan Dangerfield, offensive lineman Hank Glackin, fullback Tyler Wharton, and linebacker Danzel White.
Simon Habtemariam will be covering the Tigers for the 2011 Season. Follow Simon on Twitter @Simon_HWT and online at http://simonhabtemariam.com for live score updates, recaps and more from the gridiron.
Posted Nov. 17, 2011 |
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