Brandon Lang

September 29, 2007

Drew Champlin

I made it a point to catch up with DE Brandon Lang after the game. He tore his ACL against Oklahoma State and is walking without crutches and with barely a noticable limp.

AFter I ask him how he’s doing and how rehab is, etc., he tells me he’s going to try to make it back by Middle Tennessee (Nov. 20). That’s a heck of an accomplishment for someone who tore his ACL, but he’s rehabbing hard and he’s got the work ethic to do it. He didn’t really blow out his knee like some people have. Usually when that happens, they damage more than just the ACL.

Also, don’t look for him to get this year back because I don’t think he can (well, especially if he returns later this year). He went to prep school for a year, then had a year where he was out of action. I think he enrolled for a spring, had some grade problems and was away for a fall and spring, then came back in the fall of 2006, making him what equates to a redshirt freshman. That’s just my understanding of the rule.

So if he’s unable to come back, there’s a possibility he could apply for a 6th year, but he’s a 21-year-old sophomore on the football field, and he’ll be 22 on June 18, 2008. This kid, if he keeps performing to his ability, has a chance to be a high NFL Draft pick, though it will be in two years. He’s the most explosive defensive end on the roster, according to coaches, and has a chance to be an all-conference player the next two years. He’d be close to turning 24 after his senior year here, and, if you’ve got that kind of ability, it’s time to go on and go to the NFL.

Pull for him. He’s a great kid, very polite and respectful. Trojan fans should be proud that he’s a representative of your university.

I’ll have some more game observations Sunday.

HALFTIME: Troy 7, ULM 0

Drew Champlin

Only score on a 28-yard interception return by Boris Lee. Both defenses have stepped it up a notch.

Josh Maxwell returned to the stadium after being released from the hospital. He’s fine, won’t play obviously, but the nature of his injury was not released.

Props to Troy’s defense for stepping it up. ULM has 161 total yards to Troy’s 104, but 89 yards came on two long runs. Troy has made the plays defensively when it counted, but hasn’t been nearly as sharp on offense.

Go figure, you write about how a game could be a shootout and the teams are shooting blanks.

AFTER ONE: Troy 0, ULM 0

Drew Champlin

Omar Haugabook just threw his second interception into double coverage

Not a good start for Troy

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.