Troy University Athletics
Trojans Looking Forward To Showdown For Sun Belt Title
11/26/2007 6:00:00 AM | Football
Game Facts:
Date: Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007 Time: 1 p.m. Site: Troy, Ala.
Stadium: Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium Stadium Opened: 1950
Surface: AstroPlay Capacity: 30,000
National Rankings (AP/ESPN-USA Today): Troy (ARV/ARV), FAU (NR/NR)
Television: CSS
Announcers: Sam Smith (play-by-play), John Gregory (color)
Radio: The Troy/ISP Network (See Page 5 for affiliates)
Announcers: Barry McKnight (play-by-play), Jerry Miller (color), Chris Blackshear
(sideline) and Mike Mote (studio host). The broadcast begins one hour prior to kickoff.
Internet: Live audio and live stats will be available on www.TroyTrojans.com.
Tickets: Visit www.troytrojans.com for information. Tickets are $20/$15 each.
Forecast: Cloudy (40%) Temps: High 69, Low 51
THE HEAD COACHES
TROY: Larry Blakeney (Auburn, ?70)
Record at Troy: 136-67-1 (17th year)
Career Record: Same
FAU: Howard Schnellenberger (Kentucky, ?56)
Record at FAU: 39-42 (7th year)
Career Record: 139-119-3 (23rd year)
THE SERIES
Troy leads the all-time series 4-0, including 3-0 in games played in Troy.
LAST MEETING
Troy quarterback Omar Haugabook had a happy homecoming, passing for 325 yards and three touchdowns, all from more than 50 yards, as the Trojans held off a game FAU squad 24-17.
Trojan Story Lines:
For the 2007 Troy Trojans, the season comes down to one game. Defeat Florida Atlantic, and secure the outright Sun Belt Conference title and a berth opposite Memphis in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. If the Trojans lose to the Owls, it would mean sharing the Sun Belt crown, watching FAU go to New Orleans, and waiting to see if a spot in another bowl is available. For FAU the situation is simple, win or put away the pads for the winter. After blasting rival Middle Tennessee last Tuesday, it was apparent from listening to the Trojans that sharing the Sun Belt crown again this year is not in the plans. The Trojans come in having dominated their last five Sun Belt foes to the tune of 31-7 on average. In fact, in Troy's eight wins this year, the average margin of victory has been 35.6-13.5. The Trojans have also been virtually unbeatable at home. Since the start of the 2003 season, Troy has posted a 20-3 mark at Movie Gallery Stadium ... The Trojans are 2-0 all-time on December 1, with the last game in 2001, an 18-16 victory over North Texas ... The Troy roster includes 29 players from the state of Florida while the FAU roster includes just six players from outside Florida, none from Alabama ... Senior receiver Gary Banks enters play having recorded at least one reception in 30 consecutive games, which is the 14th longest such streak in the nation ... Troy kicker Greg Whibbs will celebrate his 23rd birthday on Dec. 2 ... Troy is 26-35 all-time against teams from Florida, including a 1-1 mark this year ... Kenny Cattouse needs 213 rushing yards over the final games to reach 1,000 yards for the season ... Troy's starting corners, Leodis McKelvin and Elbert Mack, are both at the top of the national rankings. Mack leads the country with eight interceptions while McKelvin ranks fourth in punt returns at 18.3 yards per return ... Over the last five games the Trojans have turned the ball over 18 times after having just 10 in the first six games ... The Trojans rank first in the Sun Belt, and 11th in the country, in pass efficiency defense (105.79) while FAU ranks second in the league, and 46th in the nation, in passing efficiency (131.42) ... Troy, MTSU and FAU are all tied for eighth in the country in turnovers forced with 30 ... Troy has scored seven non-offensive touchdowns this season, which is tied for third most in the nation ... The Troy defense continues to rank first in the country on third downs, allowing just a 24.8 percent conversion rate.
