Troy University Athletics
Troy Defensive In Preparations For Warhawks
9/29/2007 5:00:00 AM | Football
The Troy Trojans have been downright defensive this week in their preparations for today's Sun Belt Conference tilt with the Warhawks of Louisiana-Monroe.
The Trojans have been defensive about their national rankings, which are at or near the bottom of the Bowl Subdivision standings. That defensive ranking will be stressed by a ULM offense that ranks near the top of the NCAA charts.
"We have done better with our assignments, but missing tackles is killing us," senior linebacker Marcus Richardson said. "From the defensive line, to the linebackers and the defensive backs, all of us could do much better, and that is something we are going to have to do better this week."
The Warhawks will enter play Saturday evening with the 14th best rush offense in the country. Led by senior Calvin Dawson, ULM is averaging more than 232 yards per game on the ground. The Trojans, after having faced strong running attacks from Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma State and, last week, Louisiana-Lafayette, are allowing 300 yards per game rushing, which ranks dead last of 119 teams.
"We are not tackling anyone," Troy coach Larry Blakeney said. "My sister and my wife could run through our defense right now. I don't think it is totally on the players because we have faced some pretty good guys.
"We do have a lot of work to do. Our coaches are concerned and I am concerned about it."
On the flip side, the Trojans appear to have solved the early season problems in the punting game by moving senior Greg Whibbs into the punter role. His first eight punts have resulted in a 43.4 yard average and five punts downed inside the opponents' 20 yard line.
Offensively, Troy ranks 24th in the nation in total offense, averaging better than 460 yards per game. The Trojans also rank 26th in scoring offense, first in the Sun Belt, by scoring 36.5 points per game.
Individually, Troy senior quarterback Omar Haugabook enters play this evening needing just 23 yards passing to move into fifth place on the Trojans' all-time passing list. Another Troy senior, Gary Banks, takes a streak of 23 straight games with a reception into the contest, the 11th longest such streak in the country.
Kickoff for the Trojans' game against the Warhawks of ULM is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be televised around the southeast on CSS. Replay of the game will be available on TroyTrojans.com immediately following the contest.
