Troy University Athletics
Trojans Hope To Bounce Back Against Mizzou
9/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
During every football season there comes a time when a team must face adversity. That time for the 2005 Troy Trojans comes very early.
The Trojans must find a way to bounce back quickly after being man-handled at home by in-state rival UAB on Saturday. To add to the adversity, the Trojans will be without one of its leaders, linebacker Leverne Johnson, for an extended period of time after Johnson suffered an ankle injury against the Blazers.
Troy will have to try to bounce back this week against the Missouri Tigers, a team that saw its season spiral out of control last year after losing in Troy 24-14. The Tigers were nationally ranked at the time of the loss to Troy, but suffered a five-game losing streak down the stretch of the season and finished with a losing record.
This year, both teams won their season-openers, but both lost home games last Saturday. The teams have also had opposite problems. The Trojans struggled to move the ball offensively against UAB in a 27-7 loss, while the Tigers had difficulty stopping New Mexico in a 45-35 loss.
For both teams, the game is a return to what, to date, has been the Trojans' biggest victory since moving to Division I-A. The Tigers rolled into Troy last year nationally ranked and, in front of a national TV audience, jumped out to a 14-0 lead, only to watch as the Trojans scored 24 unanswered points to take the victory.
Trojans junior quarterback Carl Meadows took a beating in the loss to UAB. The Blazers sacked Meadows four times, and knocked him down several more. The results of the pressure was four interceptions, two of which led direcetly to UAB touchdowns. To make matters worse for the Trojans, the Troy offense managed just 26 total rushing yards.
On the other side of the ball, the Trojans were able to put occasional pressure on UAB quarterback Darrell Hackney, but were never able to put him on the ground. Hackney completed 25 of his 38 pass attempts for 296 yards and two touchdowns, showing why he is considered one of the best in college football this season.
The loss snapped Troy's 10-game home win streak and dropped the Trojans' home record since moving to Division I-A to 18-2. One streak that did, however, remain in tact was Troy's streak of home games without being shutout. Leodis McKelvin put that threat to rest in the third quarter with a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown.
The Trojans have not been shut out at home in 158 consecutive games, dating back to September 30, 1972, and a 14-0 loss to Ouachita Baptist
The game against Missouri starts a stretch of five Saturday's without a home game for the Trojans. Troy will follow the trip to Columbia, Mo., with a trip next week to Columbia, SC, to face Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks. A Tuesday night game at North Texas and a trip to face Louisiana-Monroe before the Trojans return to Movie Gallery Stadium.
SATURDAY'S MATCHUP:
The Trojans will be facing off with a team from the Big XII Conference for the fifth straight season, which covers every year of membership in Division I-A ... Troy lost its first six games against Big XII teams before defeating Missouri last year ... The Trojans will run their streak of seasons facing Big XII competition to six years next season when Troy visits Nebraska for the fourth time ... Troy was originally scheduled to open the 2005 season against a Big XII foe, but Iowa State bought out of its return game with the Trojans and played Division I-AA Illinois State instead ... The game at Missouri will reunite one set of teammates. The Trojans' Junior Tagovailoa (DT) and the Tigers' Darnell Terrell (DB) were teammates last season at Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College.SWITCH IS ON:
The Troy coaching staff made several moves again this week to help improve the protection of quarterback Carl Meadows and improve the Trojans running game. The biggest move was that of Rob Austin from left tackle back to tight end. Austin will switch to jersey number 44 for the change. Also, redshirt freshman Will Chambliss is going back to the offensive line after one week at tight end. He will swith back to jersey number 68. Junior Kenny Griffin will now start at left tackle for the Trojans.McKELVIN AGAIN:
Leodis McKelvin has taken a strangle-hold on the Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week Award. The sophomore claimed the award for a second straight week for his performance against UAB. McKelvin had four punt returns for 88 yards, including a 73-yard return for a touchdown. He also had three kickoff returns for 58 yards.
