Troy University Athletics
Trojans Return Home To Face Oklahoma State
9/14/2007 5:00:00 AM | Football
Update: The Start of the game is being delayed until 7:45 due to inclement weather.
After consecutive road games to start the 2007 season, the Troy Trojans finally return home to Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium for a nationally-televised tilt against the Cowboys of Oklahoma State on Friday night.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game is being televised by ESPN2 with Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman and Joe Schad providing commentary.
Despite consecutive road losses to nationally ranked teams, the Trojans enter the game with Oklahoma State with some confidence. The team outplayed fourth-ranked Florida in the second half last Saturday, outscoring the Gators 24-10, but the early problems led to an insurmountable deficit.
“We talk about three phase football all the time, but it looked like we left two-thirds of that at home in the first half at Florida,” Trojans head coach Larry Blakeney said. “We got everything to a competitive level in the second half, but we still have to iron out some problems.”
For the Trojans, the level of competition won't slip much this week. After facing Heisman Trophy front-runner Darren McFadden in the opening game, and matinee idol Tim Tebow and the defending national champs last week, Troy gets an Oklahoma State team that may be as talented as either.
The Cowboys are led by All-American receiver Adarius Bowman. A 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior from Chattanooga, Tenn., had 60 receptions for 1,181 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2006, his first year in Stillwater after transferring from North Carolina. In two games this year he has 10 receptions for 200 yards and three scores.
But, the question for the Cowboys will be who will be getting the ball to Bowman. In OSU's 42-6 victory over Florida Atlantic last week, junior quarterback Bobby Reid left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury and was replaced by sophomore Zac Robinson, who threw for 250 yards and three scores.
Regardless of who throws the ball for OSU, the ground game is up in the air because of a groin injury to starter Dantrell Savage. The senior from Columbus, Ga., had just 10 carries in the Cowboys' opener at Georgia and did not play against FAU. He will likely be a game-time decision for OSU.
For the Trojans, the focus is not so much on who will be playing for OSU, but on playing a full 60 minutes against the Cowboys.
“If we start the game the way we need to start, and finish the way we need to finish, then the sky is the limit,” senior linebacker Marcus Richardson said. “This game is a great opportunity for us to put 60 minutes together. If you take the Arkansas first half and the Florida second half, you'd have a great game. The job for the defense this week is mission 60. We have to play well from start to finish.”
The Trojan defense will have to play the full 60 minutes without junior safety Sherrod Martin, who suffered a broken hand early in the Florida game. He'll miss two to three weeks after surgery, and will be replaced as Troy's nickle back by sophomore Darryl Watts.
Offensively, like the defense, the Trojans have to put together a full 60-minute performance. Troy scored 17 second quarter points against Arkansas, but only nine in the second half. Against the Gators, Troy moved the ball well in the second half, but had very limited success early.
“The big thing for the offense is to take the game one play at a time and try to execute each play,” quarterback Omar Haugabook said. “We want to be more aggressive at the beginning of the game so that we don't have to play catch-up.”
For the Trojans, the game against OSU will put a long winning streak on the line. Troy has won 20 consecutive home-openers, including all 16 played since Blakeney became the head coach in 1991. Troy's overall record in home-openers stands at 61-23-2 and, since 2003, Troy has the 12th best overall home record (16-3) in the Bowl Subdivision.
