HALFTIME: TROY 20, FIU 10

October 06, 2007

Drew Champlin

They woke up. Haugabook’s got a 2-yard TD run and Leodis McKelvin broke his school record with an 84-yard punt return

AFTER ONE: FIU 7, Troy 0

Drew Champlin

Yep, that’s not a typo. FIU whipped Troy up and down the field on a sustained drive, and Troy can’t get into an offensive rhythm.

All set up in the Orange Bowl

Drew Champlin

It’s a dump, but it’s a historic dump. I believe, since Miami is moving its games to Dolphins Stadium next year, that this is the last go-round for the historic Orange Bowl. Some people think they’ll tear it down and build a stadium for the Marlins.

It’s pretty worn down on the outside, but a lot of history in college football has happened here, so it’s one of those places where it’s cool to say you attended or covered a game.

There’s also a beautiful view of downtown Miami to my right. It’s not the safest area, but unlike Legion Field, it is much closer to the interstate (or Dolphin Expressway here).

Gameday links

Drew Champlin

From me, Troy quarterback Omar Haugabook is home once again.

From the Miami Herald, Pete Pelegrin’s blog says FIU must STOP Omar Haugabook

if it has any chance to win.

GAMEDAY: Troy at Florida International

Drew Champlin

On paper, Troy has it easy.

The next three weeks go as follows: perhaps the worst team in the Sun Belt, OFF, and perhaps the second-worst team in the Sun Belt.

Florida International and North Texas are starting over with new coaches, new offenses and new philosophies. Mario Cristobal has a young FIU team that has 91 of its players listed as freshman and sophomores. Last year’s FIU team was much more talented than its 0-12 record indicated, but lack of discipline hurt the program, reared its ugly head in a brawl with Miami, and ultimately cost Don Strock his job.

Cristobal has instilled discipline in his program and is guaranteed to build a winner. The problem is, it won’t be this year. Might not be the next, either. Same goes for Todd Dodge at North Texas, though his program could find success a little earlier. The Mean Green come to Troy on Oct. 20.

Let’s look at today’s matchup a little bit.

TROY (3-2, 2-0 Sun Belt) at FIU (0-5, 0-1)
Time: 6 p.m. CST
TV: None
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: Troy’s defensive backs against FIU quarterback Wayne Younger. The Golden Panthers run variations of a spread offense, but aren’t very good at it yet, scoring 28 offensive points in five games. Younger is a redshirt freshman who Cristobal has trusted to run the offense, and he can run the ball a little bit too. Problem is, Troy has some veterans back there in the defensive backfield. I’ll call for at least three interceptions from either corners Leodis McKelvin and Elbert Mack and/or Tavares Williams, Sherrod Martin or Terence Moore at safety. This is a game where the entire string will get a chance, so look for reserves such as Chris Bowens, Derick Pendergrass and Courtland Fuller to go ball-hawking too. Younger has thrown two touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Big question: Is this the game that Troy rolls up a high number? I think the Trojans win soundly, but might come out flat in the first quarter being on the road. The game they should really score a lot of points is at home against North Texas in two weeks.

Player to watch, Troy: QB Omar Haugabook. Duh, but he returns home for the final time in his college career. Haugabook grew up in Belle Glade, which is about 80-90 miles away from the Orange Bowl. He took in several Miami Hurricanes games as a youngster.
Player to watch, Florida International: DB Lionell Singleton. One of the leaders on this young squad, the senior defensive back has the best chance for FIU to make plays in the return game or on defense.

Prediction: Troy 41, FIU 7