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Tigers set to face #5 William & Mary
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Towson football returns to action on Saturday afternoon to take on the #5 Tribe of William & Mary at 1:30pm on at Zable Stadium. William & Mary comes into the game with a 7-1 overall record and 4-1 CAA mark, while Towson is 2-6 and 1-4 in the league.
The Tigers have not had much luck against the Tribe, losing all six games in the series, including last year's 34-14 loss at Unitas Stadium. The Tigers actually led 14-7 at the half, but gave up 20 points in the third quarter and were steamrolled after that. They also gave up over 500 yards of total offense, including 239 yards on the ground. Sean Schaefer threw for 186 yards, but also tossed two interceptions.
This season, the Tribe are simply rolling and it all started out on Sept. 5, when they upset FBS and ACC rival Virginia in Charlottesville, 26-14. They rolled after that big win, taking out Central Connecticut State, Norfolk State, Delaware (30-20 at home) until finally losing at #2 Villanova, 28-17.
Since the Nova loss, the Tribe routed Northeastern 34-14, dominated James Madison at home, 24-3 and crushed Rhode Island on the road, 39-14.
The Tribe averages 28.8ppg and allows just 15.2ppg. What's most impressive is the William & Mary defense, which allows just 61.6 yards rushing per game, which is number one in the nation. They are also second in sacks per game (3.63) and third in tackles for loss (8.75). With 180.1 yards per game rushing, W&M currently ranks 16th nationally.
This is a well-balanced team, led by senior QB R.J. Archer (6-2, 220). who ranks third in total offense (225ypg). Archer has completed 64.5% of his passes for 1,623 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. He is also a dangerous runner, rushing for 177 yards and two TDs.
But Archer doesn't need to carry the offense because they have sophomore Jonathan Grimes (5-10, 201), an All-American candidate who has rushed for 695 yards with five TDs (4.8ypc). He's backed up by Courtland Mariner (5-9, 182), who has 325 yards, five TDs (5.4ypc) and scored three times against URI.
The Tribe has one of the best offensive lines in the nation, one reason they average 180 yards per game on the ground. They are led by sophomore LT Jake Marcey (6-4, 300), an All-CAA candidate and senior center C.J. Muse (6-4, 313), who has started the last 32 games.
At tight end, senior Rob Varno (6-5, 224) is having an All-Conference season with 29 catches for 253 yards and three scores.
The top receiver is senior WR D.J. McAulay (5-11, 185), who had 34 catches for 423 yards (12.4ypc) and three TDs. However, McAulay was not listed on the depth chart after missing last week's game against Rhode Island and is questionable. Stepping for McAulay last week against URI was junior Cam Dohse (6-0, 190), who had six catches for 76 yards.
The offense is good, though maybe not as explosive as other teams like UNH. However,they don't have to be the 2007 New England Patriots because the defense is just so dominant.
That dominance starts on the defensive line and begins with senior DE Adrian Tracy (6-4, 243), who will probably be the second best defensive player the Tigers face all season after Northwestern's Cory Wooten. Tracy has recorded eight sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups and 48 tackles in eight games.
The other end is senior C.J. Herbert (6-3, 237), who adds two sacks and 18 tackles.
At tackle, senior Sean Lissemore (6-4, 286) is another All-American candidate, who is a playmaker on the inside with 39 tackles, four sacks, 9 TFls, one pick, one pass breakup and one blocked kick. Sophomore Harold Robertson III (6-2, 300) is a stone wall in the middle alongside Lissemore.
The Tribe is also loaded at linebacker. Junior OLB Evan Franks (5-11, 212) leads the team with 54 tackles, adding 5 TFLs and four pass breakups with three fumble recoveries. Junior Wes Steinman (6-2, 225) adds 29 tackles, eight TFLs and 2.5 sacks from the outside.
At the middle linebacker, sophomore Jake Trantin (6-1, 235) is second on the team in tackles with 54, adding one sack and three fumble recoveries.
In the secondary, redshirt freshman B.W. Webb (5-11, 160) is tied for 10th in the nation with four interceptions. He's also returns punts (9.6ypr), while Grimes returns kicks (18.5ypr). Junior Ben Cottingham (5-9, 159) is the other corner.
At safety, senior David Caldwell (5-1, 212) is a big hitter, who has 38 tackles, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. Senior FS Robert Livingston (6-3, 203) adds great size and 28 tackles.
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