Troy University Athletics
Trojans Outlast FIU 18-13 on ESPNU
10/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Troy University took advantage of five Florida International turnovers as the Trojans (3-4, 2-1) topped the Panthers (1-5, 0-3), 18-13 in a Sun Belt Conference game on Thursday night at Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium.
Troy freshman Julian Foster passed for 150 yards and a touchdown in his first start for the Trojans, and sophomore Greg Whibbs set a new career-long with a tie-breaking 48-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
The teams combined for eight turnovers, including three in the first six plays from scrimmage. Troy's Sherrod Martin intercepted Josh Padrick on the second play of the game. Two plays later, a Kenny Cattouse fumble was recovered by FIU's Alexander Bostic to return the ball to the Panthers at the Troy 43. The pattern continued two plays later when Troy's Torre Lankford recovered a fumble by Julian Reams to take over possession on the Troy 22.
Both teams were scoreless in the first quarter, and the Trojans were only able to amass 13 yards of total offense through the first 15 minutes.
Leverne Johnson gave Troy the ball in Panther territory for the first time when he recovered a Padrick fumble at the FIU 25 in the second quarter. The Trojans were only able to drive eight yards, however, and were forced to settle for a 34-yard field goal by Whibbs to take a 3-0 lead with 10:21 left in the first half.
Later in the quarter, Foster connected with Darius Williams for a 51-yard touchdown pass, the first career touchdown for both Foster and Williams. The play followed a 25-yard pass to Josh Allen, and capped a three-play, 80-yard drive that gave Troy a 10-0 lead with 7:28 left in the half.
The Panthers responded with a 15-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a 38-yard field goal by Adam Noss. The drive ate 5:53 off the clock, and cut the Trojans' lead to 10-3 with 1:35 left in the second quarter.
The Trojans drove 43 yards with the opening possession of the second half, but stalled at the FIU 37. FIU's Samuel Smith muffed the Thomas Olmsted punt, and Gary Banks fell on it to give Troy the ball at the FIU 21.
The Trojans' offense was only able to advance to the Panther 14, and settled for a 32-yard field goal from Whibbs to take a 13-3 lead five minutes into the third quarter.
On their next possession, the Panthers used five straight completed passes from Padrick and a 13-yard rush from A'mod Ned to move from their own 20 the Troy 24. The Trojans were whistled for pass interference in the endzone, giving FIU first and goal at the10. Padrick connected with Julius Eppinger for the touchdown, cutting Troy's lead to 13-10 with 4:47 left in the third quarter.
Three plays later, Nick Turnbull intercepted a Foster pass at the Troy 40 and returned it 29 yards to give FIU the ball at the Trojan 11 yard line. After an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, the Panthers started their drive from the Troy 26. The Trojans defense was able to keep FIU out of the endzone, and held the Panthers to a 24-yard field goal to tie the game at 13 with 1:15 left in the third quarter.
The Trojans answered just three minutes later, when Whibbs broke the tie with a career-long 48-yard field goal with 12:56 left in the game.
He has been kicking the ball solidly and he hit the ball strong on the first one,” Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said. He is very serious about his business on and off the field and that is the kind of guy you like to have in that situation.”
FIU started their next drive on their own 17 yard line, and on first and 10, Kenny Mainor and Bernard Davis tackled Chandler Williams for a loss of three yards. Lankford sacked Padrick at the FIU three on the next play, and the Panthers opted to take an intentional safety rather than punt to extend Troy's lead to 18-13 with 11:15 on the clock.
The Panthers took over in Trojans territory following a Foster fumble that was recovered by Alexander Bostic at the Troy 43. FIU was unable to capitalize, however, as Padrick threw an incomplete pass on fourth-and-one from the Troy 34.
The Trojans gave the ball back to FIU with 4:44 on the clock when Dawkins was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-one at the Panther 41. The Panthers drove to the Trojan 20, but Johnson forced Adam Gorman to fumble a pass from Padrick, and Troy's Sherrod Martin fell on top of it to end the drive and return possession to the Trojans.
The Panther defense forced Troy to punt to get the ball one last time, starting their drive at their own 20 with 1:51 remaining in the game after a fair catch by Dan Landrau.
On fourth and two and their own 28, Padrick connected with Samuel Smith for a three-yard gain to keep the Panther offense on the field. Padrick's next four pass attempts fell incomplete, though, giving the ball back to the Trojans and ending the game.
We did so many good things tonight, and even when we made a mistake, we came back and had something good happen,” Blakeney said. I am proud of our football team in total. Offensively, we got a little better. I think Julian is growing.”
Foster completed 12-of-19 passes with one touchdown and one interception in his first collegiate start. Williams finished with 51 receiving yards and a touchdown on one catch, and Josh Allen had three catches for 38 yards.
Joel Whinghter led the Trojans on the ground with 68 yards on 16 carries. Dawkins finished with 36 yards on nine carries.
Padrick completed 31 of 51 attempts for 247 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Chandler Williams led the Panthers with seven catches for 50 yards. Smith had six catches for 34 yards, and Ned and Cory McKinney each finished with 39 yards on five catches. Ned led FIU with 51 yards on 16 carries.
The Trojans will return to action on Oct. 29 when they play at Louisiana-Lafayette.
GAME NOTES
The 49-yarder marked the longest TD reception for a Trojans since a 62-yard connection between Aaron Leak and Bryant Stewart against Southeast Louisiana on Sept. 20, 2003.
