Towson University Football Facing BIG Challenge in FCS National Championship

Dec 21, 2013; Cheney, WA, USA; Towson Tigers quarterback Connor Frazier (4) dives in for the winning touchdown against the Eastern Washington Eagles during the second half at Roos Field. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

The Towson University Tigers are facing the football giants of the jungle in the FCS national championship game this coming Saturday in Fresno. They will be playing the #1-ranked North Dakota State squad that is a perfect 14-0 on the season, having beaten playoff opponents by scoring 138 points in three games.

The #7 Tigers are 13-2 on the season, having lost only to conference foes Villanova and Delaware.

Some folks have asked me what the FCS stands for, and it means Football Championship Subdivision. This is the formerly-titled Division I-AA until 2006. There are 125 teams in this division, and the national championship involves a 24-team playoff. Other somewhat local schools in this division for football would be Georgetown (Patriot League) and VMI and Liberty (Big South). Also, in the same Colonial Athletic Conference with Towson are James Madison, Richmond, William and Mary, and Delaware. The Ivy League also competes in this division for football.

There will be another write-up on this game and on Towson’s season that will appear in a few days, but simply here let me point out a few of the Maryland natives who have contributed to Towson’s great year. The roster has a majority of players from Maryland, and that is great to see.

Two of the stars are both seniors from Mt. Hebron High School in Ellicott City. Terrance West is the primary threat out of the backfield with 40 touchdowns (!!!) in his 2,410 yards of rushing. And the most receiving yards have been tallied by Spencer Wilkins with 691 in 40 catches.

Senior QB Peter Athens has totaled 3,194 yards and 19 touchdowns – spreading that out over a wide number of receivers. The Huntingtown High School grad has hit Leon Kinnard for 43 catches and 664 yards. Kinnard is from Reisterstown and Loyola Blakefield HS.

Athens was injured in the semi-final game, and Damascus High School grad and Towson soph Connor Frazier went 9 of 14 for 141 yards on two touchdown drives to bring the Tigers back from a 31-17 deficit … to a 35-31 win over Eastern Washington.

It looks like a great story in the making. All they have to do is beat 14-0 North Dakota State – that’s all.