Towson’s Flacco mobile like Flutie
Gattuso says QB reminds him of star
University at Albany football coach Greg Gattuso said he can relate to how his defensive players will feel pursuing elusive Towson quarterback Tom Flacco around the field on Saturday afternoon.
Gattuso had a frustrating experience back in the early 1980s, when he was a defensive tackle at Penn State and played against Boston College legend Doug Flutie.
“Thankfully, I don’t have to chase (Flacco) around,” Gattuso said Tuesday. “I had to chase Doug Flutie around and the thing that’s similar about the two of them to me is just the unpredictable movement, the way they spin out and run, the vision coming out of a spin to throw the ball. I could go on and on.”
Flutie, only 5-foot-10, won the 1984 Heisman Trophy and went on to a long professional career in Canada and with four NFL teams, including a successful stint with the Buffalo Bills from 1998 to 2000.
Flacco, younger brother of Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco, is listed three inches taller than Flutie. But he shows the same type of dynamic playmaking ability for the Tigers, who play host to Ualbany this weekend in a Colonial Athletic Association contest.
Flacco was named CA A Offensive Player of the Year a year ago in his first season with the Tigers after transferring from Rutgers.
Tom Flacco was f lattered on Wednesday when Gattuso’s Flutie comparison was relayed to him.
“I take a lot of pride in that compliment,” Tom Flacco said. “That’s a big compliment. That means a lot in the Flacco household, comparing me to Doug Flutie. I know what his career was and how successful he was.”
Gattuso recalled facing Flutie in a game in 1982 at Boston College. Though Penn State cruised to a 52-17 victory, Flutie passed for 520 yards but only one touchdown.
“I remember tackling him, thinking it was a sack, and I’ll never forget it,” Gattuso said. “I sack him and I get up to celebrate and the ref said, ‘He threw the ball, son,’ and I look up and the guy’s running down the field.”
The Great Danes have already faced Flacco once. He threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 80 yards and two scores in Towson’s 56-28 victory at Casey Stadium last season.
“He likes to scramble a lot,” Ualbany senior defensive lineman Nick Griffin of Shaker High said. “He’s very athletic. So our plan is to contain him, keep him inside the pocket and make sure he doesn’t move around a lot.”
There have been at least three NFL scouts at Towson’s first two home games and there will be more on Saturday. Despite his rela
tive lack of height, Flacco is receiving interest from a league that’s getting away from the stereotype of the tall quarterback.
Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield (6-1) and Arizona’s Kyler Murray (5-10) have been the top picks in the past two NFL drafts, though they both played at Oklahoma, a big-time program.
Seattle’s Russell Wilson (5-11) and New Orleans’ Drew Brees (6 feet) have both won Super Bowls.
“I would definitely say this is the best environment for me to come out and have a chance at the NFL,” Tom Flacco said. “Ten years ago, I don’t think I’d even have a shot ... At this point, there are guys in the league that are small and they’re having success.”
Flacco had a chance to test himself against majorcollege competition when Towson played at ninthranked Florida two weeks ago. The Tigers lost 38-0. Flacco was 16-for-27 for 157 yards and two interceptions.
Towson (3-2, 1-1) emerges from its bye week against Ualbany (3-3, 1-1), looking to rebound from a 23-20 loss at Richmond.
“They’re just a great defense,” Flacco said of Ualbany. “I watched the game against Richmond and Richmond only really moved the ball on like three plays. They have a really sound defense.”