Troy University Athletics
Time For Showdown at Doak Campbell For Trojans
9/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
This Saturday the Trojans embark on what most likely will go down as the most challenging four-game stretch in school history when Troy squares off with nationally-ranked Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla.
The game against the Seminoles is the first of four consecutive road games which will pit Troy against Georgia Tech, Nebraska and UAB before the end of September. The first three opponents on the road trip have combined to win 11 national championships, including six during the decade of the 1990s.
The game against Florida State will be the first for Trojans and Seminoles since 1951, when the two schools concluded a five-game series. The Seminoles lead the series 4-1, with Troy's only victory coming in 1947 in Tallahassee.
Legendary Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden is also no stranger to the Troy program, having faced the Trojans three times early in his career while head coach at Howard (now Samford). Bowden's teams took the measure of Troy in all three games, including an 80-0 result in 1961 that stands as the third worst loss in Troy football history.
Troy coach Larry Blakeney also has a history against Bowden's Seminoles, having helped Auburn University to a 4-4 record against FSU during his tenure as a Tigers assistant coach from 1977-90. FSU won national championships in 1993 and 1999.
The Seminoles will enter the game against the Trojans off a short week. FSU opened the season Monday night with a 13-10 victory over arch-rival Miami and has just five days to prepare for their home-opener against Troy.
The Trojans are coming off a convincing victory in their season-opener against Alabama State. Troy piled up 429 yards of total offense in a 38-0 victory over the Hornets.
With the shutout, Troy joined with pre-season #16 Virginia Tech as the only Division I schools to post shutout wins on the opening weekend of the season. Tech defeated Division I-AA Northeastern 38-0 on Saturday.
The Trojans will be facing a nationally-ranked opponent for the 10th time since moving to Division I-A in 2001. FSU will be the eighth different opponent to be ranked when playing the Trojans, joining Nebraska (#4 in 2001, #9 in 2002, #12 in 2003), Miami (#1 in 2001), Maryland (#15 in 2001), Iowa State (#21 in 2002), Kansas State (#7 in 2003), Missouri (#17 in 2004) and LSU (#17 in 2004).
Troy is 1-8 all-time against nationally ranked (Division I) opponents, with the 2004 win over Missouri the only victory. The average score of the nine previous games has been 34.3-12.4.
In addition to being the 10th all-time game against a ranked foe, the showdown with Florida State has the potential to be the first of three consecutive games against ranked foes. Nebraska (#21) enters the second week of the 2006 season ranked in the national polls while Georgia Tech is receiving votes.
GAME NOTES
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The date with the Seminoles will be a homecoming game for 28 members of the Troy squad who hail from the Sunshine State, including two (receiver Smokey Hampton and fullback Josh Henderson) who hail from Tallahassee. Eight of Troy's 24 starters (including kickers) are Florida natives.l
The Florida State roster includes just two players from the state of Alabama. Sophomore safety Darius McClure in from Birmingham and freshman linebacker Tim Rawkinson is from Prattville.l
The last time Troy and Florida State played on the gridiron was 1951 which was before everyone on the Troy coaching staff except head coach Larry Blakeney was born.l
Two members of the Troy coaching staff, co-defensive coordinator Jeremy Rowell (Crestview) and safeties coach Brian Turner (Fort Meade) are Florida natives. Two members of the FSU coaching staff are Alabama natives, head coach Bobby Bowden (Birmingham) and defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews (Ozark).l
Florida State has outscored Troy 112-56 in the five previous meetings, an average of 22.4-11.2.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. Senior offensive lineman Kenny Griffin (knee) missed 10 days of practice after having arthroscopic surgery but saw extensive action against Alabama State. Freshman running back Xavier Walker (knee) continues to be doubtful. Junior Ira Guilford (back) missed the Alabama State game and is questionable.
