Towson State University
TSU
Tigei Tracks
TIGER CLUB
Published exclusively for Tiger Club members
by the Athletic Department.
November 21, 1979
FOOTBALL TEAM FINISHES WITH SECOND BEST RECORD
Closing a highly-successful season, Towson State's football team won its ninth straight
game of the year by beating Merchant Marine, 27-14, at Kings Point, New York Saturday to
finish with a 9-1 record, the second best mark in Towson State's 11-year football history.
We missed out on an NCAA Division II post-season tournament bid in our first season of
NCAA Division II play when the NCAA selection committee bypassed us and selected the Uni¬
versity of Delaware (10-1), Youngstown State College (9-1), North Dakota (10-1), Morgan
State (9-1), Virginia Union (10-1), Mississippi College (9-2), South Dakota State (9-2),
and Alabama A & M (7-2) to fill the eight-team field.
However, the lack of post-season play could not damper the accomplishments of our
'79 Tigers, according to Coach Phil Albert. "We had a great year," said Phil. "It's
unfortunate that the opening loss to Morgan had to haunt us all year, but I think we proved
we can play in Division II by winning nine straight games."
Saturday's win over Merchant Marine was the final appearance in TSU uniforms for ten
Tiger seniors, safety Randy Bielski, cornerback Aaron Moore, linebackers Bryan Brouse and
Tony Tsonis, center Kevin Fidati, linemen Chuck Collins and Rich Mitola, quarterback Kelly
Wroten, halfback Dave Roccio, and fullback Wayne Bond.
Randy, who could earn All-American honors this year, finished his career at TSU as our
all-time leader in scoring, tackles, and interceptions. The veteran defensive back had 277
total tackles, 13 interceptions, and 169 points. In his final game, he kicked a pair of
field goals and intercepted his sixth pass of the season, tying the Tiger single season
record.
We will return seven starters from a defensive unit which went 31 straight quarters
without allowing a touchdown rushing and gave up only two all season. Our defense also
ranked fourth nationally among Division II teams going into the last week of the season,
allowing 9.3 points per game.
Offensively, we will return nine starters, including four offensive linemen and three
running backs. Our top ground gainer, John Henry Clayton, will return at tailback after
scoring ten touchdowns to lead the team £ti scoring and miss the single season touchdown
record by one. Junior Ken Snoots will also be back at wide receiver after a fine season in
which he caught 37 passes for 466 yards and one touchdown. Ken, an All-American last year,
is second on the Tiger all-time reception list with 114 catches for 1748 yards and 14 touch¬
downs. Freshman tight end Hernando Mejia also had an exceptional year with 27 receptions
for 285 yards and one touchdown.
Tickets for the November 28 Towson State football banquet are still on sale. For in¬
formation call the football office at 321-3157. Tables can be reserved. The dinner starts
at 7 p.m. and is preceeded by a one-hour cash bar social. Tickets are $9.50 each.
ALL FALL TEAMS HAVE WINNING RECORDS
With the football team's 27-14 win over Merchant Marine on Saturday, an outstanding fall
sports season came to an end. In the fall, we fielded six intercollegiate teams and all six
posted winning records. While the football team posted a 9-1 record, Coach Rich Bartos'
soccer team had a 12-7-1 mark in its first season of Division I play, a dramatic turnabout
from the 7-9-1 record of 1978. Coach Jim Pennington's cross country squad was 6-1 in his
first year as coach.
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