RICHMOND, Va. - It may have been Towson University's first meeting with Richmond, but it still was a somewhat familiar foe that dealt the Tigers their sixth Atlantic 10 loss of the season yesterday.
Two years ago, a Dave Clawson-coached Fordham team eliminated Towson from the Patriot League title race on a rainy afternoon in the Bronx, and the Rams went on to take the crown that season. This time, Clawson's Spiders denied the Tigers their first conference win with a 24-0 victory before 4,427 at Richmond Stadium.
"It helps a little bit because I'm familiar with some of their players," said Clawson, in his first season with Richmond. "They've changed up their offense a little bit, but defensively they were similar, so it helped."
It was the first time Towson was shut out since a 33-0 loss to Bucknell in 1997.
Towson (3-6, 0-6 Atlantic 10) played without its starting quarterback yesterday. Andrew Goldbeck, who has thrown six touchdown passes as the Tigers' starter this season, didn't make the trip because of a violation of team rules.
Towson started Anthony Melzi, and though he started eight games last year, the junior entered the game with a negative passer rating, having completed just two of nine attempts this year with two interceptions.
Despite Goldbeck's absence, Towson had plenty of chances to stay in the game, but was undone by turnovers and penalties.
Trailing 17-0 midway through the third quarter, Towson drove inside Richmond territory, but Melzi's long pass attempt was intercepted by Joe Mallory, who returned it 59 yards to the Towson 10. Richmond (3-6, 2-4) needed just two plays to find the end zone to go up 24-0 with 6:13 to play in the quarter.
After that, the Tigers were shut down offensively.
The first half wasn't much different. Towson managed to come away unscathed after Richmond's first drive, thanks to Carter Ball's missed field-goal attempt that gave the Tigers the ball at their 20. Melzi completed his first three passes and four of his first five to drive the Tigers downfield, but Josh Corle fumbled on the Richmond 3 to end the threat.
After that first drive, the Tigers didn't get farther than the Richmond 48 on any of their remaining four possessions in the first half, and only crossed midfield once.
"I thought the fumble was a huge play," Towson coach Gordy Combs said. "It makes a big difference. You can say it's early in the game, but when you're fighting for everything you get, that's a big play when you come away with nothing right there."
Next for Towson
Matchup: Towson (3-6, 0-6) vs. New Hampshire (7-2, 4-2)
Site: Cowell Stadium, Durham, N.H.
When: Saturday, noon
Radio: WTMD (89.7 FM)
Yesterday: New Hampshire beat Rhode Island, 27-3
