Not a good start for Troy

September 29, 2007

Drew Champlin

Senior linebacker Josh Maxwell was injured on the first kickoff of the game. He’s on the coverage team.

He was taken off on a stretcher, but was moving his arms. Maybe a concussion, but you can never be sure except the for the fact he won’t play any more today.

On another note, safety Sherrod Martin is dressed out and will start, and it looks like Dion Gales will get a start at defensive tackle for Chris Bradwell.

Pregame note - injury related

Drew Champlin

According to Troy SID Ricky Hazel, redshirt freshman wide receiver Austin Silvoy will miss tonight’s game. He was involved in a car accident this morning. The airbags deployed and he ended up with burns on his arm, so he’s in street clothes.

He missed last week’s game with a concussion suffered against Oklahoma State. Look for Josh Allen and Cornelius Williams to have big games from the Y.

There’s also some new goalposts. The highest point is 40 feet from the ground. Remember, one was torn down after the win over Oklahoma State. The other from that game is in storage somewhere. 

Gameday links

Drew Champlin

From me, this game could be an offensive shootout.

From the Monroe News-Star, here’s the Troy vs. ULM Opening Drive.

GAMEDAY: UL-Monroe at Troy

Drew Champlin

The talk surrounding this game concerns the total number of points that will be put up.

As Troy coach Larry Blakeney said earlier this week, “My wife and sister could run through our defense.” No doubt, the Trojans have something to prove. The nation’s worst run defense (300 ypg) faces off against statistically the Sun Belt’s best running back in Calvin Dawson (133 ypg).

Let’s take a look

Time: 6 p.m. CST
TV: CSS
Radio: 94.7 FM WTBF (man that Jerry Miller’s going to sound good on color), more web information available at http://www.troytrojans.com
Key matchups: ULM running backs Calvin Dawson and Frank Goodin against Troy’s linebackers. It’s no secret that Troy has given up a few yards on defense. What most people don’t know (because most of these games aren’t on TV) is that the Trojans have been in position to make the plays, even for loss. It’s not like the defensive coaches are sending them out to play backyard football. Plenty of times, there have been defenders in the right place, but poor form on tackles have been attempted. It’s time for Marcus Richardson, Boris Lee and Josh Maxwell to lead a defense and prove a point that the Trojans can make the plays.

Big question: Can Troy’s offensive momentum continue? The Trojans moved the ball at will against UL-Lafayette last week. UL-Monroe has done nothing to show that they’ll be better defensively than ULL, and matters got worse for the Warhawks when top safety Josh Thompson was lost for the season with an injury.

Player to watch, Troy: DE Kenny Mainor. He played last week after a two-game suspension. It’s time for one of the fastest speed rushers, possibly the fastest, to make an impact in the ULM backfield.
Player to watch, Florida: QB Kinsmon Lancaster. He could be the difference between a ULM win or loss, because the ULM backs will get their yards.

Prediction: Troy 45, ULM 27

Friday links

September 28, 2007

Drew Champlin

From me, a feature on Troy tight end Travis Boyd.

From The News-Star in Monroe, ULM has lost a key defensive player. Here’s some quick slants on the game from ULM beat writer Paul Letlow, and here you can hear Letlow talk ULM football.

If you’re into high school sports, you can read my feature on Daleville High senior running back Jonas Randolph and his story.