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After splitting a pair of games with intrastate rivals, Towson will travel to Virginia to open its conference schedule against No. 4 Richmond.
The Spiders have similarities to the Tigers. Both teams are 1-1 this season. Both teams got their loss at the hands of a BCS opponent, as Towson lost to Navy Aug. 30 and Richmond fell to Virginia last weekend. Both teams represent the CAA South division, and, starting this weekend, both teams will be on a quest for a league title.
"I think every game is important, but this is a very significant one," head coach Gordy Combs said. "We just have to take care of [Richmond]. They are ranked, they have a lot coming back, and they are a very good football team."
Looking forward to this weekend's game, Towson will be looking back at the gutsy performance last Saturday. After the loss at Navy, Towson returned home for the home opener against rival Morgan State. The Navy loss appeared to have a hangover effect on the Tigers as they fell behind the Bears 16-7 at halftime. However, the Tigers battled back, scoring two second-half touchdowns and a game-saving goal line stand to earn the emotional victory.
"Last weekend's game gave our defense some confidence," Combs said. "We've given up a lot of yards to Navy. We had the same problem against Morgan. But we made the plays when we needed to. I think that our defense is one that bends, but does not break."
"What we are looking for early in the season is what the personality of your team is going to be. It's nice to see that we came out in the second half and competed," Combs added.
Riding an emotional wave will only take the Tigers so far. Against Richmond, Towson will face one of the premier teams in FCS. The Spiders went 11-3 in 2007. Richmond won the CAA South Division with a 7-1 record and advanced to the FCS playoffs before falling in the semifinals to eventual national champion Appalachian State.
The Spiders will be looking to exact some revenge on the Tigers, as Towson has taken the past two from Richmond, including the Spiders' only conference loss last October. After Richmond took a 21-16 lead with 29 seconds to play, Towson drove the field for a game-winning drive. Demetrius Harrison's 14-yard touchdown catch as time expired gave Towson the 23-21 win.
"Our players know that we've had some difficult games with them," Combs said. "We've come out on the positive end the past two games against them, but that will have nothing to do with this year's outcome. They will come to play."
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