Mike Gundy’s rant

September 23, 2007

Drew Champlin

Just some video on a rainy Sunday from OSU head coach Mike Gundy on a column in the Daily Oklahoman about QB Bobby Reid.

Here’s the video of Gundy’s tirade and here’s the column in question.

Feel free to share your thoughts.

Troy-ULL REWIND

Drew Champlin

Some thoughts before I make the 450-mile trip back to Dothan.

Kenny Cattouse ran wild. For some reason, ULL is easy to run on. It was good to see him do that even when he wasn’t 100 percent and couldn’t cut like he normally does. He’s a really underrated back that Troy is fortunate to have. DuJuan Harris keeps getting better and better and he’s one fast dude.

ULL was scared beyond belief to kick the ball within 20 yards of Leodis McKelvin. They would shank punts out of bounds or kick off to the upback on purpose so he wouldn’t get the ball. Good strategy or being scared? I think it cost them, because field position worked in Troy’s favor every time. Troy’s average starting position, I think, was their 35, and it seemed like they were around midfield all the time.

Josh Allen came up big in the absence of Austin Silvoy. That position has been the most productive all season and that’s how it works in this offense.

Greg Whibbs punted the ball well and got the ball off quickly. I will again state that watching Adrian Vera punt in pregame warmups is like watching Mark McGwire take batting practice when he was in his prime. It’s too bad that never translated onto the field because he can really boom it.

What stops Troy’s offense? Itself, that’s the general consensus. I can’t wait to see it stack up with Arkansas State.

THE BAD - Tackling on defense. It was, especially in the first half, pitiful again. ULL shouldn’t be running for 335 yards on this team when the Troy players, I think, are pretty good. But they got better and played much better in the second half, so credit to them. But Arkansas State runs a similar scheme and has better players. Troy has to wash that butter off their hands better before the game starts.

HOW BOUT THIS? - Defensive back Sherrod Martin told me after the game that he’s going to try to play next week against ULM. He’s missed the last two full games and pretty much all of the Florida game after breaking his hand on the third play of that game. He’ll practice, wear a big pad on his hand, and play. The only problem would be catching interceptions, but it can be done. His leadership and experience will be welcomed back.

I didn’t notice any other injuries, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t any. We didn’t know about Silvoy until the weekend.

HALFTIME: TROY 21, ULL 17

September 22, 2007

Drew Champlin

Troy, the worst team in the country in rush defense, has allowed 233 yards on the ground. The Trojans are really a much better team, but they have missed tackle after tackle and the defense is giving up the dump passes. Oh, and Tyrell Fenroy has just 1 carry for 1 yard - the best back in the Belt is injured.

But Desormeaux still has to prove he can pass effectively down the field for ULL to win. Still, it’s too close for comfort if you’re a Troy fan. Josh Allen has been playing really well so far - 5 catches for 113 yards. The change in punter has gone extremely well so far with Greg Whibbs punting three times for at least 40 yards a punt, though watching Adrian Vera punt in pregame warmups is like watching Mark McGwire or Sammy Sosa take batting practice. It’s too bad that won’t convert onto the field in a real game.

Looks like another game that will run late, but so far it’s been a pretty good one to watch.

AFTER ONE QUARTER: ULL 17, TROY 14

Drew Champlin

Poor tackling and a turnover helped ULL get a 14-0 lead.

Troy bounced back and tied it. ULL got a field goal.

All set up in Lafayette

Drew Champlin

It’s raining 50 miles to the east in Baton Rouge. Not sure what it will do here. I was thinking it would rain a lot, thus giving ULL a better chance.

The consensus up here is Troy has a chance to send a statement to the rest of the league if they can dominate this game. I don’t see ULL backing down, even with its 0-3 record.

The Cajuns have the best tailgating setup around, and the best restaurants. It’s a fun place to go, even if it is 450 miles away from Dothan.

I’ll check back in periodically throughout the game.