Towson, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - Towson junior running back Terrance West rushed for three touchdowns and senior quarterback Peter Athens threw for three as the Tigers eliminated Fordham, 48-28, in the second round of the FCS playoffs on Saturday.
West rushed for 76 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries, while Athens completed 13-of-15 pass attempts for 301 yards and three touchdowns, all to different receivers.
Towson (11-2), the No. 7 seed out of CAA Football, moves on to the quarterfinal round at second-seeded Eastern Illinois (12-1) Friday night.
It's the first time Towson has advanced to the FCS quarterfinal round in the program's second playoff appearance. The Tigers advanced to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals in 1986 and lost to Central State, 31-0.
"Fordham is a very good team and we knew that going in," Towson coach Rob Ambrose said. "But there is a really, really good team in our locker room that is still playing."
The score was tied 21-21 at halftime, but Towson scored the first four touchdowns in the second half to pull away from Fordham (12-2) out of the Patriot League.
Towson freshman back Darius Victor led the Tigers with 105 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries. West raised his FCS-leading total of touchdowns to 34 this season.
Fordham junior quarterback Michael Nebrich threw for 394 yards and four touchdowns. The Tigers defense held the Fordham rushing attack to just one yard. Senior running back Carlton Koonce was the Rams' leading rusher, gaining 26 yards on 12 carries.
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