Why is there a rivalry between Towson and Morgan State? It started back in 1979 when they kicked our butts. Then we came back and beat them the next couple of years. Then we took some time off and I think what ignited the rivalry is when Dave Meggett transferred there and that kind of renewed it. But the other thing is the proximity of the two schools. Some of our players associate with each other. They go to the same mall and the same barbershops. Some of our players have dated young ladies from their school and vice versa.
Despite the fact that the talent gap seems to be different every year, the games over the last several years have been pretty close. Why is that? I just think that just like any other rivalry, you throw out the records. But a lot of times we played this rivalry at the beginning of the year. So there's this feeling-out process that takes place. Are they going to do the same thing as last year? Is there going to be a different strategy? I think all of that plays a part in it.
What will be the key to winning the game this Saturday? We have to contain their running game, which we didn't do against Navy. They've got an experienced offensive line, which always makes that tough. And we can't have the same offensive mistakes that we had last week. If Morgan's going to beat us let them beat us, but we can't beat ourselves. The bad snaps, dropped passes, missed blocks, all that can't happen this week.
Traditionally the Towson-Morgan State game is the first one of the year, but this season you guys played Navy first. Does that play into your advantage this week? You make your most improvements from game 1 to game 2. I think you learn your weaknesses in that first game. And you don't really know what they are until you play. You can speculate as to what you do best and what needs improvement, but until you play, you don't know. They haven't had a game yet so we couldn't trade tapes with them. So I think the first couple series will be a feeling-out process.
What would you say to a freshman or transfer who may not know what this Towson-Morgan State rivalry is all about that would convince them to come out to the game? They should come and see the rivalry not just on the field but the stands. The rivalry between the fans and the school bands really creates a great college football atmosphere that you should want to be a part of. --Daniel Abraham
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