Towson State (1-8) hopes to remain on track for No. 2 against Bears

A change of offensive philosophy that didn’t pan out and injuries that at one point sidelined seven starters.

Those are the two major reasons Towson State will take a 1-8 record into Saturday’s football game against the University of Maine at Alumni Field in Orono (noon), according to TSU head coach Phil Albert.

“We went into the season with high expectations,” said Albert, now in his 20th year at the Towson, Md.-based Division I-AA program. “We had a veteran offensive line coming back and we felt we were much improved on defense. But the level of competition at this level is demanding and you can’t account for injuries.”

After seeing five starters sidelined by injuries in a 55-31 loss to James Madison and his team at 0-5, Albert decided it was time to make a change. Enter true freshman quarterback Dan Crowley and the run-and-shoot, exit the two-back running game.

“We changed quarterbacks a couple of weeks ago,” said Albert. “We had always been a throwing team, but we began the year thinking we’d run because we didn’t have a veteran quarterback. Unfortunately, the plan failed. We were shortening the game. When we fell behind, we couldn’t catch up.”

Crowley paid his dues in his first start, a 50-13 loss to Northeastern. But the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder out of DeMatha High improved steadily in a 38-28 loss to Hofstra. Last week, against Howard, Crowley completed 22 of 42 throws for 228 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tigers to their first win, 13-7.

“He’s seen everything the last three weeks,” said Albert, who is 3-2 against Maine in his career. “He doesn’t have an overpowering arm. But he sees the field and he throws it on time.”

Crowley has thrown it on time to four talented wideouts in flanker Kevin Howard (39-494, 7 TDs), split end Mark Orlando (30-470), split end Ken Weeks (15-168) and flanker Tony Hill (14-204).

Although the running game has been somewhat de-emphasized, tailback Brian McCarty (455 yds, 2 TDs) and fullback John O’Neill (422 yds, 4 TDs) are capable enough to keep opposing defenses honest.

The offensive line is dominated by juniors and sophomores, but has adequate size, averaging 6-3, 252 pounds from tackle to tackle.

Defensively, Towson started off well, holding Boston University to one touchdown in a 10-8 loss to open the season. But injuries thinned the ranks and the yards and points began to mount. Opponents are averaging 467 yards and 33.6 points per game.

This week, Albert said the Tiger “D” is healthy again. Only defensive tackle Doug Irvin (ankle) remains sidelined.

Defensive keys are senior free safety Mike Locksley (61 tackles) and linebackers James Dutton (58 tackles, 2 interceptions) and Joe Kreisher (57 tackles). Punter Jeff Bolser is averaging an ECAC-best 42.4 yards per kick.

“They’re a team that’s moving in the right direction,” said Maine head coach Kirk Ferentz, whose team takes a 2-8 record into the game.