Tigers drop close decision to sixth ranked Spiders
By: Jordan Cope, Sports Editor
Despite a career-high four rushing touchdowns from senior running back Darius Victor, Towson dropped its second Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) game of the season, falling to No. 6 Richmond Saturday 31-28.
The Tigers (1-3, 0-2 CAA) fell behind the Spiders (4-1, 1-1 CAA) 7-0 midway through the first quarter when redshirt junior quarterback Kyle Lauletta found senior wide receiver Brian Brown for a 21-yard touchdown pass.
However, Towson responded later in the quarter with a five-play, 43-yard drive and tied the game 7-7 when Victor rushed 16 yards for his first touchdown of the afternoon.
In the second quarter, the Tigers took over at the Spiders 10-yard line after an interception from redshirt freshman cornerback Justice Pettus-Dixon. The Tigers wasted no time scoring and took their first lead of the game when Victor rushed for a three-yard touchdown.
As the second quarter progressed, both teams traded touchdowns. Richmond tied the game 14-14 after constructing a 15-play, 84-yard drive that lasted just over seven minutes.
Athletics staff could not be reached for comment.
The Tigers responded with a touchdown, Victor’s third of the day, to regain a seven-point lead. However, the Spiders answered with a touchdown of their own to tie the game 21-21 going into halftime.
In the third quarter, Towson scored on its opening drive to regain a seven-point advantage. The drive was sparked by a 46-yard run from redshirt freshman running back Shane Simpson and capped of with Victor’s fourth rushing touchdown of the day.
The Spiders put up three points on their ensuing drive to make it a 28-24 ballgame, but both defenses tightened up and the score held at 28-24 going into the fourth quarter.
Richmond scored on its opening drive in the fourth quarter on fourth and one from the Towson two-yard line. Redshirt senior quarterback David Broadus scampered across the goal line for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.
The Tigers offense had two more chances to try and take the lead in the game, but were forced to punt on one occasion and turned the ball over on downs on the second occasion.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Ellis Knudson, who remains under center for an injured Morgan Mahalak, completed just eight of 19 passes for 105 yards.
Towson will look to win its first CAA game of the season when the team returns home Saturday to take on Stony Brook at Johnny Unitas Stadium.