Offense Struggles in First Home Loss

Saturday, October 15

Troy, Ala.

6:00 p.m.

Troy University

2-4 , 1-2

ULM

2-4 , 1-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

ULM

TROY

Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer

10/15/2011 9:53:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Troy gives up 35 second half points to the Warhawks as they fall 38-10 in Sun Belt matchup.

By: Ben Maxwell

BOX SCORE | TROY NOTES | PHOTO GALLERY

TROY, Ala. – The Trojans fell for the first time on Larry Blakeney field to ULM on Saturday, 38-10. It was a defensive showing in the first half for both teams however it would be all Warhawks in the second half capitalizing on turnovers to secure their second straight victory over Troy.

“It's disappointing but maybe even predictable watching them on tape coming in,” said head coach Larry Blakeney. “Normally in our business, in this game when you don't win, you got outcoached and outplayed. We certainly got some work to do, it's pretty obvious. I didn't think we played very well at all on offense.We'll go back to work tomorrow and try to figure things out.”

The Trojan defense stood tall in the first quarter forcing the Warhawks to two punts. However, after a promising 39 yard drive on Troy's second series the Warhawk's Cameron Blakes picked off a pass from Trojan Quarterback Corey Robinson at the Monroe 19 yard line. At the end of the first quarter, both teams would be deadlocked at 0-0.

After giving up 45 yards the Troy defense would hold again, claiming a turnover on downs after holding the ULM offense on fourth and one on the Trojan 21 yard line.

Troy's offense did begin to gain momentum with less than five minutes remaining in the first half as they drove 45 yards down field but would go onto settle for a 20-yard Michael Taylor field goal, giving the Trojans their first lead of the game 3-0.

Troy's defense would hold ULM's offense on their third three and out giving Troy possession on their own 30 yard line. However Troy would only pick up 3 yards forcing a Will Goggans punt for a fourth time. ULM would start their next drive on their own 25 yard line and drive 58 yards down the field answering back with a 34 yard field goal to send both teams into the half tied at three.

Troy's offense started the second half at their own 28 yard line, but after gaining only three yards were forced to punt. Troy was able to maintain possession by recovering a fumble on the punt at the ULM 33 yard line which would set up an 11 yard touchdown run by Shawn Southward giving the Trojans their second lead of the game at 10-3.

ULM would take over on their own 42 yard line after the kickoff for their first drive of the second half. The Warhawks went on to drive 58 yards capped off by a 1 yard Jyruss Edwards touchdown run. However, Troy's defense was still not done as they snuffed out a botched extra point attempt by the Warhawks to maintain a 10-9 lead over ULM.

On the next Trojan drive Troy would go onto stall on third down forcing them to punt again giving ULM possession on their own 11 yard line. On the drive ULM's Kolton Browning connected to Tayarese Maye on a 38 yard touchdown pass to give the Warhawks their first lead of the game at 15-10 after the failed two point conversion attempt.

The Trojans fumbled on the following kickoff giving ULM possession on Troy's 17 yard line. Browning would complete a 13 yard touchdown pass to Colby Harper building the ULM lead to 22-10.

After the kick off Troy would get their chance to answer back starting on their own 38 yard line. However they would fall short again and were forced to punt again. Will Goggans' would record his season longest punt at 59 yards for a touchback forcing ULM to start their drive from their own 20 yard line.

ULM's Centarius Donald would gain a 57 yard rush on the following drive that would set up a Browning to Mitchell Bailey one yard touchdown pass giving the Warhaks a 29-10 lead.

Troy stalled again on their next offensive drive as they were forced to punt again to Monroe. However, after a bad snap on Troy's punt team, the Trojans would have to give up a safety as Goggans was forced to bat the ball out of the back of his end zone giving ULM a 31-10 lead.

Troy's defense would hold strong again, however Troy's offense would commit another turnover with a Corey Robinson interception with about eight minutes left in the game.

ULM would go on to deliver one final blow on a Centarius Donald 16 yard rushing touchdown giving the Warhawks a final 38-10 victory over the Trojans.

“It doesn't taste very good and I told the players I know it doesn't taste good to them, and there's only one thing to do about it,” said Blakeney.

“We've got to do something, we've got to run a little better or we've got to throw and catch it a little better. I won't leave out coaching. I was standing there watching it, that's where I come in. I think they will bounce back. They are resilient people. And if they are resilient people and we give them 24 hours, they're going to come back in here ready to work and to get better. Nobody likes getting pounded in front of their home folks.”

Troy will now have time to prepare as they will travel to Miami, Florida to take on Sun Belt foe FIU on October 25.