Terence Moore

November 20, 2008

Drew Champlin

Here’s a feature I wrote on Terence Moore, Troy’s nickelback/weakside linebacker.

Here are some quotes I couldn’t fit in to the story.

Playing pro ball:
“Of course it’s a goal of mine. Ever since I’ve been playing at the age of 5, it was a goal of mine. Credit my parents to keeping me focused on that becuase I’ve never gotten in trouble outside of football.”

On thinking about fact he could get drafted (though safety Sherrod Martin will likely be the first Trojan to get picked this year)
“It’s hard not to think about it. Sometime you want to know where you stand and you want to do extra things on the field to make you stand out, but my No. 1 goal is for us to win.”

And those extra things would be?
“Try to be too much of a playmaker instead of doing your assignments. Try to be the man.”
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The AJC.com lists Tavarus Lewis, a WR from Columbus, as a commitment, though nothing’s sourced. If I find out more, I’ll let you know.

On another note, I’ve been saying that DE Jonathan Massaquoi, who is in the JUCOs in Kansas, won’t be here barring academic miracles until the 2010 season, but he’ll probably make an official visit and sign a LOI in February, so it’s safe to list him as a commitment.

I’ll get a list of official visitors for the weekend later today, and I’ll post a Q and A with Cajuns beat writer Joshua Parrott of the Advertiser in Lafayette.

Wednesday links

November 19, 2008

Drew Champlin

Sorry I’m a little late with these. Here’s what I wrote about players wanting you there Saturday and administration wanting you there Saturday vs. ULL at 6 p.m.

From over in Lafayette, the Ragin’ Cajuns have a pretty dang good running back Joshua Parrott of the Daily Advertiser wrote about him today. He also wrote about the Sun Belt possibly having 5 bowl-eligible teams.

From a TV station in Louisiana, ULL head coach Rickey Bustle reflects on last week’s loss and looks ahead to Troy.

From the Advocate in Baton Rouge, the tough stretch continues for ULL.

This is why recruiting makes fans go crazy

November 18, 2008

Drew Champlin

A couple of weeks ago I wrote on safety Josh Brown from St. Petersburg, Fla., committing to Troy.

Well, this rivals.com article now has him as a soft commitment to Iowa. I had e-mailed back and forth with the guy who wrote the article earlier today and decided to head over to the Iowa rivals site just now to see if he got in touch with Brown.

He tells the Iowa rivals site writer that he likes both schools and Iowa wants him to play offense while Troy wants him to play defense. He wants to play some QB, and that won’t happen at Troy.

He had told me that playing time was a big reason he picked Troy, so we’ll see where this ultimately ends up. He plans to have a decision made in December.
Just click over there.

They said it: Troy players on students leaving

Drew Champlin

In Wednesday’s print edition (or about 11:30 p.m. online tonight) will be a story focusing on the need for high attendance for Saturday’s game with UL-Lafayette. Some players voiced their displeasure on students leaving early and what it would be like to see a packed house. Also got some words from athletics director Steve Dennis.

Here are some extra quotes. They aren’t in the story (meaning the ones in the story are probably better) but here’s a sneak peek.

Quarterback LEVI BROWN on students leaving early
“They usually do. That’s nothing new. It’s disappointing. We’d like to see the student section stay the whole game and cheer for us. It’s disappointing to see them leave at halftime, but that’s part of it.”

What will it take to beat a power school like LSU?
“Playing four quarters instead of three. We’re good enough to beat a team like that. We showed it Saturday night. We’re not good enough to play only three quarters or only play defense and beat a team like that.”

Defensive back JORRICK CALVIN on student attendance
“I look over there most of the time, but I don’t really pay attention to it. We play for the fans and we play for ourselves, but if they’re not there, that doesn’t mean we don’t stop playing. Just play through it and do your responsibilities no matter who’s watching you.”

Brannon Condren back with the Colts

Drew Champlin

After being released by the Colts, Rams, and Dolphins this year, Brannon Condren is back with the team that drafted him but on the practice squad. Hey, it’s a paycheck.

Condren, the former walk-on who started two years at safety for Troy, was picked up in the 4th round by the Colts in 2007.