Top 10 Troy moments
December 31, 2007
Here’s an abbreviated version of what I feel were the top 10 Troy moments, good and bad, of the year. Would love to know how you agree/disagree.
10 - Basketball flop - Troy head coach Don Maestri had a talented team in 2006-07. Problem is, chemistry never meshed and a potential 20-win team won just 13.
9 - Softball snub - Despite finishing 42-20 and making it to the finals of the Sun Belt Tournament before falling 1-0 to FAU, Troy was not selected for a softball NCAA Regional. It’s the second time in three years that a deserving Troy team did not get picked.
8 - Turning the corner - Troy’s cornerback duo of Elbert Mack and Leodis McKelvin were among the best in the country. For much of the year, McKelvin was the country’s leading punt returner and he finished his career one punt return for a TD shy of tying the NCAA record. A possible NFL first-round draft pick awaits McKelvin. Mack finished with 8 interceptions, also leading the country. Size might hurt him at the next level, but he’ll get some looks.
7 - Baseball to regionals again - The Trojans got a surprise when they were selected to the baseball regionals for the second straight year after an inconsistent season. A good strength of schedule helped the Trojans get there, but in the Oxford Regional Troy went two and out. The Trojans had another national leader as Josh Dew led in strikeouts per nine innings pitched. That makes four years in a row, starting with Nate Moore (ERA), Adam Godwin (stolen bases) and Tom King (hits and doubles). Construction also started at Riddle-Pace Field and a new look will await fans in 2008.
6 - Teams court Troy baseball coach - Troy almost lost one of its more successful coaches as head coach Bobby Pierce interviewed with Tennessee. In a surprising move, UT hired Todd Raleigh from Western Carolina. Pierce’s name was also menitoned with the Alabama opening, which went back to a closing a week later when Jim Wells was allowed back. UT and Alabama’s loss is still Troy’s gain, as a big-time recruiting class signed this past fall.
5 - Mayworth gets national title - Troy cattle-roper Ben Mayworth captured a national title at the College National Finals Rodeo. A national title, in any sport, is simply amazing.
4 - End of an era - The Omar Haugabook era was a great two-year run for the Troy Trojans, but several other seniors who made big-time contributions saw their eligibility run out at the end of the year. The four-year seniors had three winning seasons, and the last two years resulted in a tie for the Sun Belt title and a New Orleans Bowl win. Say goodbye to Haugabook, running backs Sean Dawkins and Kenny Cattouse, receivers Gary Banks and Josh Allen, defensive linemen Shawn Todd, Marcus Pittman and Chris Bradwell, linebackers Marcus Richardson, Josh Maxwell and Romanique Lewis, corners Elbert Mack and Leodis McKelvin and kicker/punter Greg Whibbs, among others.
3 - Troy continues national TV dominance - A 41-23 win over Oklahoma State was there for the world to see on ESPN2 in a game that wasn’t that close. A bigger blowout came Nov. 20, when Troy blasted Middle Tennessee 45-7 on ESPN2. That makes four straight and five of six on the family of ESPN networks.
2 - No bowl - Troy’s loss to FAU meant the Owls would go to the New Orleans Bowl. Hawaii’s win later that night ensured that no at-large spots would be available for the 8-4 Trojans.
1 - Tony takes his act to Auburn - The man that revived the Troy offense left after two years and went to Auburn. It culminated a Dark December for Trojan fans. It remains to be seen if Franklin will have success at Auburn or if he’ll publish a third book in a few years.
