The Foundation
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When the Tigers won the 2011 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title and made their NCAA post-season debut as an FCS program, Towson became the first program in NCAA history to compete in the NCAA Football playoffs at the Division III, Division II, and FCS levels.
In 2012, the Tigers have set their sights on a larger goal. Watch the video at right to learn more about where Towson hopes to end its season next year.
Conference Championships
For most of their existence, the Tigers have not been affiliated with any conferences, but they have picked up two conference titles along the way.In 2011, the Tigers won their first CAA championship. The 2011 Tigers posted a 9-3 overall record and won the CAA outright with a 7-1 league mark. The Tigers won the title after being selected to finish last in the league's preseason poll.
In 1974, the Tigers posted a 10-0-0 record to win the Mason-Dixon Conference title, a Division III league that no longer exists.
NCAA Playoff Appearances
The Tigers' most recent appearance in the NCAA Playoffs came in 2011. Making their first playoff appearance as an FCS program, and first playoff appearance at any level in 25 years, Towson fell in heart-breaking fashion to Lehigh, 40-38, before a sellout crowd at Johnny Unitas® Stadium.During their eight seasons as members of NCAA Division II, the Tigers qualified for the NCAA playoffs three times. In 1983, the Tigers faced North Dakota State in the quarterfinal round, but lost to the Bison in Fargo, 24-17. In 1984, the Tigers opened the playoffs by beating Norfolk State on the road, 31-21. However, in the semifinals, Towson fell to eventual national champion Troy State. In the Tigers' final season as a Division II program, 1986, they once again went to the NCAA playoffs but lost their opening game to Central State of Ohio.
Towson made its NCAA playoff debut in 1976 as a Division III program. The Tigers won two of three playoff games in 1976, opening NCAA play with a 14-10 upset win at C.W. Post. In the semifinals, the Tigers edged St. Lawrence, 38-36. That enabled the Tigers to reach the Stagg Bowl, the Division III national championship game. In their quest for an NCAA Division III title, the Tigers came up short, losing to St.John’s (Minn.) on a last-second field goal, 31-28.
In the Pros
A total of 16 former Tigers have continued their football careers into the professional ranks, with five of those players landing on NFL rosters.Punter Sean Landeta (right) was the first former Tiger to play in the NFL, starting his career in 1985 with the New York Giants. He punted in the NFL for 22 seasons, this after beginning his professional football career with the USFL's Philadelphia Stars.
He spent nine seasons with the Giants and was a member of their Super Bowl XXI and XXV championship teams, then going on to punt for four more NFL franchises. Landeta finished his career second on the NFL’s all-time list with 1,401 career punts and a 43.3-yard average. At Towson, Landeta was a four-year punter and three-year place kicker from 1979-1982, earning All-American honors along the way. His No. 5 jersey has been retired by the Towson Football program.
Offensive lineman Stan Eisenhooth had a three-year NFL career, playing two seasons with Seattle (1987-88) and one year with the Indianapolis Colts (1989).
Running back and kick return specialist David Meggett was drafted by the Giants and had a ten-year NFL career (1989-98). A member of the Giants’ Super Bowl XXV championship team, he played for the Giants for six years and also played for the Patriots for three seasons and the Jets for one year.
Meggett rushed for 1,658 yards and scored 30 touchdowns in only two seasons as a Tiger. An All-American and winner of the 1988 Walter Payton Award as the top player in the NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS), he led the nation in kickoff returns and all-purpose yardage. His No. 1 jersey has been retired by the Towson Football program.
Running back Tony Vinson was a draft pick by San Diego and played in the NFL for four seasons (1994-97) before retiring due to a shoulder injury.
Offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod (right) was a fourth round draft pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2007 and has been a starting tackle for the Saints since the 2009 season. Bushrod became a Super Bowl champion with the Saints in 2009 and was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2011.
Quarterback Dan Crowley and wide receiver Mark Orlando both played in the Canadian Football League and were teammates on the Baltimore Stallions’ Grey Cup championship team in 1995. Crowley played for three teams in his CFL career.
Several former Tigers enjoyed careers in the Arena Football League, and two former players - in addition to Landeta - played in the USFL during its brief existence.
All-Americans
- Terrance West, RB - 2011 (top)
- Brian Bradford, LB - 2007
- Andrew Hollingsworth, DE - 2000 (right)
- Jamal White, WR - 1999
- Mark Orlando, WR - 1994
- Tony Vinson, RB - 1993
- Dave Meggett, RB - 1988
- Dave Haden, LB - 1986
- Stan Eisentooth, OT - 1985
- Terrance Brooks, OG - 1984
- Gary Rubeling, DB - 1983
- Sean Landeta, P - 1982
- Ken Snoots, WR - 1978
- Randy Bielski, DB/PK - 1977
- Skip Chase, TE - 1976
- Dan Dullea, QB - 1975
Academic All-America®
Twenty-five Tiger football players have earned Academic All-America® honors at the district level, while two Tigers have been named either first or second team Academic All-America®.
Wide receiver Adam Overbey, a Biology major, was a first team Academic All-America® selection in 2000. Defensive back Aaron Bates (right), another Biology major, earned second team honors in 1994.
