Towson State University
Tiger Tracks
Published exclusively for Tiger Club members
by the News and Publications Services
TIGERS WIN FOURTH STRAIGHT
November 1, 1976
Our varsity football team continued its drive toward a play-off bid by defeating
the arch-rival Salisbury State Sea Gulls,
21-3»
in a steady rain at Burdick Field last
Saturday night. The victory improved the Tigers' record to 6-2, and set up this week's
contest with Hampden-Sydney as the most crucial one of the season. Hampden-Sydney, winners
over Emory & Henry, 28-6, last Saturday night, were ranked eighth in the most recent NCAA
Division III poll. A loss for either club will probably ruin its chances for appearing
in the Division III eight team tournament. But first, last Saturday's win.
The tough Tiger defense stretched its streak of consecutive quarters without allow¬
ing an opponent's touchdown to 17, enabling Towson to capture the mythical "small college"
football championship of Maryland. The Tigers had earlier defeated Maryland- Eastern Shore,
Frostburg State, and Bowie State. Towson fell behind early Saturday night, 3-0, on a 21-
yard first quarter field goal by Mark Evans. It was to be Salisbury's only offensive
production of the night. Remember, the Gulls entered the game with the third best rushing
attack in the country, averaging 290 yards per game. Towson held them to 156 yards, and
limited the dynamic duo of Levi Shade and Jim Watson to a combined 109 yards. It wasn't
the rain that did it.
The Tiger offense, meanwhile, recovered from that early defecit on the next series
of plays. After the kickoff following Salisbury's field goal, the Tigers drove 70 yards
in 16 plays with Dan Dullea hitting flanker Mike Bennett on a 17-yard scoring toss for a
6-3 Towson lead. The extra point attempt sailed wide to the left. On its next possession,
Towson again hit paydirt as senior tailback Mike Maloney scored from four yards out to
cap a 43-yard drive that took six plays. Dullea passed to tight end Skip Chase for the
two- point conversion and the Tigers led, 1 4- 3. It stayed that way until the third quarter.
Roland Dobbins' 23 yard punt return gave Towson excellent field position on their own 49,
and Dullea moved the ball to the Salisbury two yard line. A Dullea pass of 25 yards to
Bennett aided the march immensely. Maloney then took it in the rest of the distance, and
Randy Bielski's conversion kick made it 21-3, the final margin of victory.
Maloney led all Tiger ground gainers with 73 yards in 19 carries as the Towson
rushers gained a total of l4l yards. Dullea hit on seven of 15 passes for 8l yards and
one TD. Linebacker Don Gibson anchored the defense with nine tackles and a fumble re¬
covery. Safety Paul White continues to lead all defenders in total tackles, and he raised
his count to 8l on the season.
Now, to Hampden-Sydney. The visitors from Virginia, who are also known as the
Tigers, by the way, defeated Towson last year, 24-14, to lead the all-time series by
4-1. Our only win came in that 10-0 season when we blanked 'em, 24-0. This year H-S
has been ranked as high as third in the Division III polls, and they can capture their
usual Old Dominion Athletic Conference title with a win over Randolph-Macon on Nov. 13.
They look to tailback Jim Ferguson, who has rushed for 813 yards and seven TD's to help
H-S to seven wins in nine outings. Quarterback Bill Newell has completed 59 of 137 aeriels
for 88l yards and six TD's, and his favorite target has been his brother, Ben Newell,
who has grabbed 30 tosses for 530 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively the Tigers have
allowed only l4l.8 yards per game rushing and 8l.5 through the air. If Towson hopes to
get a post-season bowl bid, a win over Hampden-Sydney is a must. If Hampden-Sydney hopes
to get a post-season bowl bid, a win over us is a must, too. The battle lines have been
drawn. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. this Saturday night at Burdick Field. It's also our
last home game of the season, and we're looking for the biggest crowd of the season!!!
--over —
