While three of the D.C. area’s FBS teams — Maryland, Navy and Virginia — suffered losses that damaged their bowl hopes Saturday, three nearby FCS teams, none of which has had a winning season since 2006, continued their success. We rank the significance of their remarkable turnaround seasons: 3. Howard » Under first-year coach Gary Harrell, the Bison (4-4) handed league-leading North Carolina A&T its first MEAC loss 35-28 in overtime. It was the third straight conference win for Howard, which entered the season on a 27-game losing skid in the MEAC. Appropriately named defensive end Sackie Kerkulah leads the MEAC with 9.5 sacks and is second with 17 tackles for a loss.
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2. Georgetown » Two years removed from going 0-11 and after losing eight straight to Colgate since joining the Patriot League, the Hoyas (6-2, 2-1) rolled the Raiders 40-17 behind a defense that forced three turnovers. Robert McCabe had 15 tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown, showing again why coach Kevin Kelly moved him from outside linebacker to inside.
1. Towson » After entering the season with 14 straight losses in the CAA, coach Rob Ambrose’s Tigers (6-1, 4-0) posted their fourth straight defeat of a ranked FCS foe, toppling No. 14 William & Mary 38-27 behind freshman back Terrence West (23 carries, 141 yards, three touchdowns). It was the first time in eight tries that Towson beat William & Mary. The surprise co-leader in the CAA was picked to finish last in the 11-team league.
– Kevin Dunleavy
