Troy University Athletics
High-Powered Huskers Next For Troy
9/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
The Troy Trojans hit the halfway point of their four-game September road swing this week after back-to-back disappointing losses to ACC foes. The Trojans will have to keep their intensity this week, and maybe even ratchet it up a notch or two, to face a Nebraska squad that is physically bigger than either FSU or Georgia Tech.
The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff and will be available on Pay-Per-View (check local cable or satellite provider for availability).
Troy will continue to look for a way to finish, after again entering the fourth quarter with a chance to win, only to see Georgia Tech follow in the footsteps of Florida State and put the Trojans away in the final quarter of play.
Troy went to the final period against Tech tied at 14, but the Yellow Jackets scored three straight touchdowns to put the game away.
The Trojans will also have to face the nationally-ranked Cornhuskers (#23 AP/#24 USA Today) without the services of their most experienced linebacker. Junior Marcus Richardson (Pensacola, Fla.) suffered a broken collar bone early in the game at Georgia Tech and will have surgery this week. His status for the rest of the season is unknown at this time.
True freshman Randy Underwood (Jasper, Ala.) saw his most significant playing time in place of Richardson in the Tech game and will likely team with fellow freshman Boris Lee (Homerville, Ga.) to fill the void left by Richardson's loss.
The Cornhuskers will be facing Trojans for the second straight week. Second-ranked USC handed Nebraska its first loss of the season on Saturday evening, 28-10, by holding Nebraska's high-powered offense to just 211 yards, including just 68 on the ground on 36 rush attempts.
Nebraska will, however, be a big challenge for the Trojans because of their size on the line of scrimmage. The Cornhuskers average 6-foot-4 and better than 300 pounds on the offensive line and 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds on the defensive front.
The Trojans will go into the game trying to avoid a three-game losing streak, which would match the three straight the team lost in 2005 after winning the opener. Troy coach Larry Blakeney has had just four such streaks in his career, with the others coming in 1991, 1997 and 2003.
For Troy fans, the trip to Lincoln will be the fourth since the program moved to Division I-A in 2001. Troy's first game as a Division I program was in Lincoln against the Cornhuskers, a game that resulted in a 42-14 loss. Troy also faced Nebraska in 2002, losing 31-16, and 2003, losing 30-0. Nebraska is the only collegiate program Troy has faced at least three times without recording a victory.
GAME NOTES
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Since the last time Troy and Nebraska played, the Cornhuskers have had a coaching change. Only two members of the current Nebraska coaching staff have ever faced Troy in the past, and with mixed results. Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove was on the staff at Southeast Missouri in 1988 when Troy posted a 26-13 victory. Defensive backs coach Phil Elmassian was on the staff at Marshall in 2002, when the Herd posted a 24-7 win.l
Nebraska has two players on its roster from the state of Alabama. Backup center Brett Byford is a native of Hartselle while freshman defensive back Ryan Ford is from Winfield.l
Three players of the Nebraska roster are former junior college teammates of current Trojans. Nebraska's starting defensive tackle, Barry Cryer, played at Dodge City CC, which also produced current Trojans Gerald Tate (WR) and Omar Haugabook (QB). NU linebacker Dontrelle Moore played at Coffeyville CC along with Troy's Junior Tagovailoa (DT). Nebraska's Victory Haines, a backup lineman, played at Snow College, which also produced Troy backup punter Adrian Vera.l
Troy is 1-7 all-time against members of the Big 12 Conference.INJURY REPORT
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Senior running back Sean Dawkins (knee) and junior safety Sherrod Martin (shoulders) are out and will both likely redshirt. Freshman running back Xavier Walker (knee) continues to be doubtful. Junior Ira Guilford (back) missed the first three games and is questionable. Senior offensive lineman James Gardner suffered a sprained knee in the Florida State game but played against Georgia Tech. Junior linebacker Marcus Richardson suffered a broken collar bone against Georgia Tech, had surgery on Sunday after the game, and is out 4-6 weeks. Senior receiver Smokey Hampton suffered a high ankle sprain against Tech and is probable against Nebraska.l
Banks Earns Sun Belt Honor: Senior receiver Gary Banks became the first Trojan for the 2006 season to be named Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his effort in the game at Georgia Tech. The Melvin, Ala., native had eight receptions for 104 yards, both career highs, against the Yellow Jackets and scored his fourth touchdown of the season. Banks is the first Trojans to win league Offensive Player of the Week since Kenny Cattouse won the award last October for his effort against North Texas.l
Condren Gives Trojans Back-To-Back POW: Senior safety Brannon Condren followed Ryan Babb's Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week award with one of his own. Condren recorded a career-high 13 tackles (12 solo), including two for loss, in Troy's game at Georgia Tech. The Pensacola native had eight tackles by halftime, which was as many as any other player had in the entire game.
