GAMEDAY: UL-Monroe at Troy
September 29, 2007
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
