Troy University Athletics
Owls No Pushover Homecoming Foe For Trojans
11/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
It is a week of pomp and celebration on most college campuses. There are parties and parades, bands playing and old friends getting back together. But, most college football coaches will tell you the biggest issue with regard to homecoming festivities is distractions.
The Trojans should only have to look at film for a short time to understand that distractions this homecoming week will result in a less than celebratory day on Saturday.
The Florida Atlantic Owls may only be in their first season of Division I-A play (they are actually in their transition season) but their 6-1 record this year, to go with an 11-3 mark in 2003 that saw Howard Schnellenberger's team advance to the Division I-AA national semifinals, should send out a message that is easy to understand.
This is not your average homecoming game pushover opponent.
While the Trojans snapped a two-game losing skid last Saturday with an impressive 47-7 victory over Idaho, there are still plenty of reasons for concern, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Over the last three games Troy has completed just 16 of 51 pass attempts for 181 total passing yards. There have only been two interceptions during the three games, but Troy quarterbacks have been sacked 13 times for 91 yards in losses. That means the Trojans passing game has accounted for an average of 30 yards per game over the last three weeks.
On the positive side, the Trojans' ground game came to life last weekend with 328 pre-sack yards on the ground. Senior DeWhitt Betterson leads the way for Troy, having rushed for more than 100 yards in a game four times this year. He became Troy's all-time leading rusher in the win over Idaho, and needs just 21 more yards to reach 3,000 for his career, and he is just 176 yards shy of the 1,000 yard mark for this season.
Defensively, the Trojans have become one of the most opportunistic teams in college football. Over the last two weeks the Trojans have gone from a team that was giving away more turnovers that it was getting, to a team that has an 11 to 1 turnover ratio over the last two weeks. Troy is now plus eight in turnovers for the season and the Trojans have turned those turnovers into a 60-point advantage on the scoreboard.
For the year, 11 different players have contributed toward Troy's 17 interceptions, which is a new school record. The five picks the Trojans recorded in the win over Idaho also tied the school mark for picks in a game. Leverne Johnson also helped the Trojans tie another school mark when he returned his pick for a touchdown against the Vandals. It was Troy's second interception return for a score this year.
Finally, the 308 return yards on the 17 picks this year is a school record for the season.
With all of the positives on defense, and with the special teams continuing to play well, the pressure will be on the Trojan offense to find ways to produce against a Florida Atlantic team that is surrendering better than 350 yards per game. The Owls have proven to be tough against the run, allowing just 105 yards per outing, but vulnerable against the pass, allowing more than 248 yards per game.
Quarterback D.T. McDowell's improvement will be an area to keep an eye on this week. If he struggles, the Trojans may turn to sophomore Carl Meadows or junior Josh Russell, both of who saw their first action under center in the win over Idaho.
Also watch for Betterson. In 11 career games against current Sun Belt Conference schools, Betterson has rushed for 1,317 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has surpassed 100 yards rushing in seven of the 11 games.
SUN BELT HONORS: Junior Johnny Faulk was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Idaho. Faulk set the stage for the Trojans' seven turnover effort by picking up an Idaho fumble on the opening possession of the game and returning it 79 yards for a touchdown. It is the fifth longest fumble return in college football this season. He also added an interception later in the game and was credited with seven tackles and three passes broken up.
Winning vs. Losing:A Troy win on Saturday:
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Would improve the Trojans' overall record this year to 5-4.l
Would improve the Trojans' record to 43-15-1 in the month of October under head coach Larry Blakeney.l
Would improve the Trojans' record to 25-28 under Larry Blakeney against teams currently in Division I-A.l
Would be the Trojans' 25th victory in its last 26 regular season games at Movie Gallery Stadium.l
Would improve the Trojans' overall record to 22-22 since moving to Division I-A in 2001.l
Would improve the Trojans' record in the Sun Belt Conference at 3-2 this year.l
Would improve the Trojans' record in televised games under Coach Blakeney to 31-22.l
Would improve the Trojans' homecoming record to 27-9-1.l
Would be the Trojans' seventh consecutive homecoming game victory.A Troy loss on Saturday:
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Would drop the Trojans to 24-29 under Larry Blakeney against teams currently in Division I-A.l
Would drop the Trojans' overall record to 21-23 since moving up to Division I-A in 2001.l
Would drop the Trojans' record against teams from the Sun Belt Conference to 13-26-1 all-time.l
Would drop the Trojans' record in homecoming games to 26-10-1.l
Would drop the Trojans' all-time record against teams from Florida to 20-34..KEEP AN EYE ON...:
Senior receiver Jason Samples, who recorded all three catches for the Trojans last week against Idaho and is Troy's top deep threat receiver.REWRITING THE RECORD BOOK:
In addition to senior DeWhitt Betterson becoming the all-time leading rusher in school history, and Johnny Faulk's school record 79-yard fumble return for a touchdown, the Trojans also tied or broke three school records for interceptions in the win over Idaho. The five picks against the Vandals tied the mark originally set against Louisiana-Monroe (11/10/2001). The five picks also give the Trojans 17 interceptions for the season, breaking the old school mark set last year. The 308 return yards on interceptions shatters the old mark of 203 yards set in 2001 and the two TD returns this year ties the mark set during the 2001 campaign.
