Al Wooten II Rumbles for 100 Yards as Towson Survives Bryant Rally
By Tiffany Williams –
Towson survived a furious Bryant rally to grab a 26-24 Coastal Athletic Association opener in Smithfield, Rhode Island, in a game that boiled down to guts, grit, and late-game execution.
The Tigers, led by a dominant ground attack from Al Wooten II, who rumbled for 100 yards and a touchdown, built a 14-point lead heading into the fourth quarter and leaned on a stingy defense to fend off the Bulldogs’ furious push. Bryant’s Elijah Elliott tried to drag his team across the finish line with three total touchdowns and 131 all-purpose yards, but Towson’s defensive stand on the final two-point conversion proved decisive.
Towson’s offense was a balanced mix of methodical runs and timely passing. Andrew Indorf went 17-for-31 for 153 yards and a score, while also chipping in 27 rushing yards. Jaceon Doss became a fourth-quarter difference-maker with a critical 25-yard touchdown catch on fourth down, while Caden Williams was perfect on four field goal attempts, including a long of 45 yards, providing crucial points when the Tigers’ drives stalled. Special teams also played a role, with Lukkas Londono flipping field position with two long kickoff returns totaling 86 yards.
The Tigers’ defense set the tone early, allowing just nine points through the first three quarters while forcing two turnovers. Branson Peters led the charge with nine tackles and a forced fumble, and Ja’Mez Drummer recorded six tackles, a sack, and a key interception to halt Bryant drives. Towson’s resilience was tested late as Bryant drove for a touchdown with under 30 seconds remaining, only to have the two-point conversion attempt snuffed out at the goal line, sealing the victory.
Bryant’s Brennan Myer finished 22-for-36 for 218 yards and a touchdown, while Elliott powered through the Tigers’ front seven with 100 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. Aldrich Doe and Tristen Riley each hauled in five receptions for 50-plus yards, keeping Bryant within striking distance, but Towson’s discipline and clock management in the fourth quarter proved too much.
Towson’s win is historic in more ways than one: it’s their first CAA opener victory since 2019 and the fourth consecutive win against an opponent they’ve never faced before. The Tigers will now return home for Family Weekend against Elon, looking to build on the momentum from a game that showcased their defense’s resilience, special teams’ explosiveness, and a ground game capable of controlling both the clock and the scoreboard. Bryant, meanwhile, falls to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play, still smarting from another agonizing close loss.
