NOTEBOOK - Chizik Pays Visit to Football Practice & QB Battle Heating Up

The Trojans are in the midst of their third week of spring practice with the second scrimmage of the spring looming on Saturday and T-Day nine days away on March 29.

Chizik Makes a Visit
Former Auburn head coach and defensive mastermind Gene Chizik was on campus on Wednesday. Chizik, who won a BCS title at Auburn and as the defensive coordinator at Texas, is good friends with both Troy head coach Larry Blakeney and defensive coordinator Wayne Bolt.

"I've recommended him for three jobs and he's always been a friend," Blakeney said. "He wanted to come down and watch practice, talk ball and hang out so we took advantage of his generosity.

"We also had new West Florida head coach Pete Shinnick here yesterday and both he and Chiz spent time in the meetings and shared ideas," Blakeney said.

Will this be the last time for Chizik in Troy?

"He told me he might come back and we told him he is certainly welcome any time," Blakeney said. "A lot of the terminologies that we use and what he uses are the same and it was good experience for the players and coaches."

Bolt and Chizik have a long history together dating back to Chizik's days as the head coach at Iowa State in 2007 and 2008.

"We always get together in the offseason and it was great to have him in to share some ideas as it's the same stuff we were running when I was with him before," Bolt said. "It's always good to get another set of eyes on what you're doing."

Quarterback Battle Heating Up
The well-publicized quarterback competition is heating up as the four challengers for the position are starting to separate a little bit. The Trojans have to replace four-year starter Corey Robinson who set Troy, Sun Belt and NCAA records during his tenure at Troy.

Redshirt freshman Brandon Silvers and juniors Dallas Tidwell, Dontreal Pruitt and Connor Bravard have all shared equal snaps so far, but one of the four drew praise from both his head coach and offensive coordinator.

"I think that Silvers has had the best two weeks," Blakeney said of the quarterback battle.

"Brandon Silvers has done a really nice job so far," OC Kenny Edenfield said. "Dontreal has not had as many days as the others, but has shown signs of being able to do the job. Dallas really struggled early but has been a little better the past two days and Connor is still in the mix and trying to figure it out; it's moving fast right now – as it should – for both Dontreal and Connor."

While the coaches would like to have solid grasp of who is leading the quarterback battle by the end of spring practice next weekend, it is not a necessity for a starter to emerge.

"I don't know if we'll have a better idea after spring practice because we only have 15 opportunities and when you divide that by four guys it makes it really tough. We're hoping to have it narrowed down to two or three guys by the end of spring, but if not we'll go into fall camp and we'll give a time period and make a decision there. Am I worried? Not really, it's a process that just takes a little time."

Blakeney Calling on All Former Players & Coaches
In addition to the T-Day Game and the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame, March 29 will also be home to a reunion for former football players and coaches.

"We are going to hold a short reunion at 11 a.m. and we'd like everyone to register at 10:30 a.m.," Blakeney said. "We are not going to be asking them for money or to join the Letterman's Club. We just want to get together with former players and coaches."

Troy University Athletics

NOTEBOOK - Chizik Pays Visit to Football Practice & QB Battle Heating Up

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