Thursday links

September 20, 2007

Drew Champlin

For a minute, if you check out our Troy sports page, you’ll see a long list of recent articles, plus a SLIDESHOW of pictures, and the VIDEO of the Fearless Forecasters college edition and a Troy report. Of note, I didn’t participate in the Troy report this week because I’m haven’t been physically in Dothan. I haven’t seen it yet, but it’s sure to be good.

From me, you’ve got Mainor back, Lang out.

From the Daily Advertiser, Fenroy is still questionable, Larry Blakeney says Troy’s win over Oklahoma State won’t help Troy win the Sun Belt, a short practice notebook and a notebook about Troy players.

From the other side, Part 4

Drew Champlin

I’ll be making the 400-mile drive from St. Petersburg, Fla., to Dothan in a couple of hours, and tomorrow going 450 miles from Dothan to Lafayette. Not sure how much I’ll be able to post between now and tomorrow night.

From the other side, Part 4
A big thanks to Dan McDonald of the Daily Advertiser in Lafayette for his cooperation. He’s the Ragin’ Cajuns beat writer.

1. What did the Cajun players and coaches say about Troy’s win over Oklahoma State?
I really don’t think UL’s coaches were very surprised that Troy beat OSU. I know they were impressed with the manner in which they controlled the game, pretty much in all phases of the game, but I don’t think they were shocked with the victory.

2. What is the Cajuns’ biggest weak link right now?
It would be easy to blame defensive problems on the secondary since opponents are completing over 64 percent of their throws for over 217 yards a game. But they’re also not generating much of a pass rush, and in the second half in all three games so far their opponents have been able to move the ball pretty much at will. Offensively, it’s hard to put a finger on. Their numbers are good, but it seems like in every drive they have one hugely negative play and the offense hasn’t been good at bouncing back on second and third-and-long situations.

3. Where could the Cajuns give the Trojans the most problems?
The Cajuns have their most mobile quarterback since the Brian Mitchell days. Michael Desormeaux can create a lot of problems for defenses. He’s a lot like Florida’s Tebow…albeit without that level of a supporting cast.

4. How much would it hurt if Tyrell Fenroy is out?
A lot. Fenroy is the type of back that wears on defenses. If UL’s not too far behind, they like nothing better than to run the read option and Fenroy’s the biggest key to that. It’s looking more and more doubtful that he’ll play as the week goes along, but he hasn’t been fully ruled out.

5. What’s the general consensus around there about Mike Desormeaux’s abilities as a quarterback now, since he played a big role in the win over Troy two years ago

Desormeaux has always had the reputation as an athlete playing quarterback, and he is among the league’s best overall athletes. But he’s also been pretty consistent with his throws – 56.3 percent, mostly short-range – and didn’t have a turnover until last week’s four-interception, five-turnover debacle against McNeese.

6. What’s your prediction for the game Saturday?
I’ve seen UL struggle in three straight second halves. I’m sticking with my pick that ran in our Wednesday paper – Troy 31-21.

Kenny Mainor and Brandon Lang

September 19, 2007

Drew Champlin

Mainor will be eligible to play this weekend after serving a two-game suspension for a Sept. 5 arrest on marijuana possession. Head coach Larry Blakeney decided to reinstate him last week, informed Mainor of that decision Sunday pending a meeting with the student disciplinary committee. That meeting went fine, and he’s eligible to play.

A University release will come out shortly.

It’s bad news for Brandon Lang, though. After an inconclusive MRI, arthroscopic surgery found his ACL was indeed torn, and he’s likely done for the year. He’s a great kid who has overcome a lot just to get here.

Shawn Todd and Cameron Sheffield are the new starting defensive ends, with Mainor as that third guy. It’s still a pretty good group, but missing Lang will hurt.

News is better on RB Kenny Cattouse (knee strain)—he could play this weekend. DB Sherrod Martin’s probable return is midseason (broken hand).

Wednesday links

Drew Champlin

For your viewing pleasure…

I wrote a feature on Troy defensive tackle Dion Gales, a Louisiana native.

From the Daily Advertiser in Lafayette, two ULL running backs are questionable for Saturday’s game. Also, there’s a story on how non-conference home games are helping the Sun Belt, a Sun Belt notebook leading with ULL coaches being wary of Troy’s Leodis McKelvin, a Sun Belt poll, and some Sun Belt predictions.

A few good words with Shayne Wasden

September 18, 2007

Drew Champlin

Spoke with special teams coach Shayne Wasden Monday morning.

Special teams were a little bit better (against Oklahoma State, a Troy 41-23 win), don’t you think?
Yes. We averaged 27 yards per punt return and did a much better job of covering kickoffs. The punter (Adrian Vera) made one poor decision on the first punt. It was supposed to be a rugby and it was too far to get a first down. It was just a poor decision there. He got off a couple of pretty good ones, then had the one blocked late in the game. That was more of a protection problem more than anything. I thought we were certainly much improved (in special teams) and we’re still trying to get better.

What were you thinking when Vera tried to run for the first down?
I was hoping for the best. It was a little far to try to get it. On 4th and 5, we don’t mind that. On 4th and 9 or 10, you need to roll out and punt the ball.

How did Whibbs do, in your opinion?
He did a good job with the one punt, where we lined up in field goal formation. The other was a rugby and he gets 61 yards on the roll.

Is Whibbs the punter now? What goes into the decision of making the switch?
It gets to the point where if you’re not getting it done, you have to make a change. We’re probably going to have to do that this week.

How do you think Greg will be able to handle all the kicking duties?
He’s a competitor and he’s a senior. He’s got the mentality to do well with it.

When Austin Silvoy went out after being dinged up, Zack Marcum came in to hold. How much had he worked with that unit?
Every day. He’s our No. 2 holder, and he works every day at it.

What was different about the kickoff coverage formation?
We call it the “muddle huddle.“ It makes it more difficult for the return team to count the guys to block. Most returns are based on counting the people. It’s difficult to count when guys are going sprint-sprint from a huddle like that.