__College looks to build on Tech game experience, improve defense as they host conference rival Towson __
p. In an otherwise disappointing 2006 season, the Tribe showed signs of life against Towson University a year ago, driving the length of the field and kicking a last-second field goal to upset the then-24th ranked Tigers. The College will have to hold off a Tigers squad out for revenge Saturday, as the two teams meet this season carrying identical records of 2-2 and coming off tough defeats.
p. The Tribe fell 44-3 on the road to Virginia Tech a week ago. Despite the score, the College put up a fight against one of the nation’s top defenses in a hostile Lane Stadium. On the offensive side of the ball, the Tribe displayed poise and energy in containing the Hokies’ potent passing game.
p. “I look at the positives that came out of it,” Head Coach Jimmye Laycock said. “It was a great experience for our players, they played hard, they got something out of it and they’re ready to go on.”
p. Towson is also looking to rebound from a loss last week, as the Tigers were defeated at home by the University of Delaware, 27-7. The College dropped their season opener to the Blue Hens, 49-31 Aug. 30.
p. “We’ve got a very good team coming in here in Towson,” Laycock said. “They started off 2-0 and they lost two close ones here to the University of Massachusetts and Delaware. Both of them were much closer than the score. They’re a much improved football team over last year, especially defensively. We’ve got to regroup and get ready to play.”
p. The Tigers are led by junior quarterback Sean Schaefer, who is averaging 227.8 yards/game passing on the season. Schaefer has connected on 62.2 percent of his passing attempts and has fired six touchdowns.
p. “He’s a very tough individual,” Laycock said. “He keeps coming back and he’s going to stand in the pocket, he’s going to step into throws, I don’t care what you’re doing. He’s got a very good arm and he’s experienced.”
p. While the Tribe’s defense will have a tough assignment keeping Schaefer in check, the unit has shown improvement all season, holding two of the College’s last three opponents to under 275 yards of total offense. Regardless, the team will have to perform well as the Tribe re-enters its CAA schedule.
p. “Towson puts you in a position where you’ve got to make plays,” sophomore free safety Robert Livingston said. “They spread you out, they can run it, so we’ll just have to come out and play well. It’s a league game, and league games are always tough. It’s a big game for us to try and go 1-1 in the conference and try to get things rolling.”
p. __Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Zable Stadium.__
