New Season, New Team: Towson football preps for Morgan State
By: D’Mari Dreher-Smith, Sports Editor
Still basking in a nationally televised win against Norfolk State, the Towson Tigers take on the Morgan State Bears in this Saturday’s Battle for Greater Baltimore.
From freshman quarterback Andrew Indorf to veteran linebacker CJ McClendon, the Tigers put on a show against the Spartans, grabbing a dominant win, 27-7. Yet the star of the game was the defense, an area we’ve seen this team struggle with.
But this year’s team is one we’ve never met.
Pete Shinnick, beginning his third season as head coach, thinks this year’s team has matured and is ready to put it all together.
“We had lots of guys understand everything we were asking them from a culture standpoint. I think it’s a mature team,” said Shinnick. “I think we played hard in the past, but now you put those factors together.”
But what has the defense changed? McClendon, in his third year at Towson, credits the veteran players, as well as the younger players coming in, ready to learn.
“I feel like, having the older players, coming back, having some experience and then the young guys come in for us to be able to teach them and mentor them,” said the linebacker. “It just takes us to a whole new level.”
The win over Norfolk State also gave us our first look at Indorf and the freshman frenzy. For the first time since 2005, Towson had started a freshman quarterback. Coach Shinnick has rotated quarterbacks, trying to find the perfect balance and fit for this growing team and Indorf yielded results.
”He had a great camp. Nate coming out of spring, was the starter,” said Shinnick. “Andrew just continued to make more plays and really took advantage of the opportunity we gave him.”
Morgan State is the next obstacle for this team. The Bears led by head coach Damon Wilson, coming off a loss to South Alabama, have displayed a strong run game over the years. Towson’s defense will have to prepare to stop the run.
The Tigers will have to pick up where they left off last week, dominating on defense and not allowing the Bears space to run the ball. Indorf said his only priority is to go out and get another win.
“We’re going out there to execute every single play one hundred percent,” said Indorf. “I’m not worried about the battle of anything, but just going out there and the football game.”
The Tigers face off against the Bears, this Saturday, Sept 6. at the Hughes Memorial Field in Baltimore, MD. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.