Troy University Athletics
Trojans Set Sights on Showdown With Owls
10/5/2008 5:00:00 AM | Football
The memories for the Troy Trojans are hard to put aside.
The 2007 Troy University football season was going along at a perfect clip. The Trojans had won a pair of big games on national television, had already clinched a share of a second straight Sun Belt crown, and needed just one more win, at home against Florida Atlantic, to secure a berth in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
However, four turnovers later and it was the Owls, not the Trojans, who were celebrating on the turf at Movie Gallery Stadium. And, it was the Owls who accepted the bid to play in New Orleans, while the Trojans, despite an 8-4 record, stayed at home for bowl season.
As the two teams prepare to meet again, it is the memory of that day that will fuel the Trojans.
“This game is a big step in reaching our goal of going back to New Orleans,” Trojans senior offensive lineman Chris Jamison said. “It just so happens that this is the game we lost last year that cost us the trip, but we are really focused on this game.”
That focus comes both from the memory of last year, but also from the knowledge that, with a victory, the Trojans will hold a two game lead over each of the teams that shared the SBC title with Troy the last two seasons.
“It's a big-time conference game,” junior linebacker Bear Woods said. “With FAU, it's obvious we have a history with them. I know we both want that title as conference champions. That's everybody's goal in the Sun Belt and that's why it's going be a good football game. I know they're not going to give it up easy, but we're going to do everything we can to take it.”
But, to earn that all-important win, the Trojans have some areas of concern to get straight before the trip to Ft. Lauderdale. Coach Larry Blakeney said the play of the Troy defensive unit, which was exposed by Oklahoma State last week to the tune of 612 yards of total offense.
“Our corner play was horrendous and it's starting to become a place where everyone is going to attack us,” Blakeney said. “We've got to at least be able to defend or be able to tackle and right now we can't do either at that position.”
The Trojans also struggled up front defensively against Oklahoma State with senior Kenny Mainor out for the season. That loss means players like sophomore John Mark Patrick and freshman Brandon Boudreaux have to step up and contribute when called upon.
But the Troy coach emphasized that the focus for his team can't be on the past. He wants to make sure all of his squad's attention is squarely on the Owls.
“We can't live in the past, but we've got to draw from the loss last year, and try to make sure that we're able to compete,” Blakeney said. “In my opinion, and the way I describe it to the team, is we have to put the team first, everyday of the week, in everything that we do.
“The number one goal is to win our conference ? period. It's got nothing to do with anything else. Win our conference, and whatever falls under that umbrella, that's our number one goal, win the league.”
That message seems to have struck a chord with members of the team.
“We're all excited to get into the conference because, with these out of conference games, we've had a couple of losses,” Woods said. “Our main goal, when it's all said and done, is to be holding that New Orleans Bowl Trophy and this is where it starts.”
Kickoff for the game between the Trojans and Owls is set for 7 p.m. (CT) Tuesday night from Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The game will be televised live on ESPN2 with the announce team of Rece Davis, Mark May, Lou Holtz and Rob Stone on hand.
The 2007 Troy University football season was going along at a perfect clip. The Trojans had won a pair of big games on national television, had already clinched a share of a second straight Sun Belt crown, and needed just one more win, at home against Florida Atlantic, to secure a berth in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
However, four turnovers later and it was the Owls, not the Trojans, who were celebrating on the turf at Movie Gallery Stadium. And, it was the Owls who accepted the bid to play in New Orleans, while the Trojans, despite an 8-4 record, stayed at home for bowl season.
As the two teams prepare to meet again, it is the memory of that day that will fuel the Trojans.
“This game is a big step in reaching our goal of going back to New Orleans,” Trojans senior offensive lineman Chris Jamison said. “It just so happens that this is the game we lost last year that cost us the trip, but we are really focused on this game.”
That focus comes both from the memory of last year, but also from the knowledge that, with a victory, the Trojans will hold a two game lead over each of the teams that shared the SBC title with Troy the last two seasons.
“It's a big-time conference game,” junior linebacker Bear Woods said. “With FAU, it's obvious we have a history with them. I know we both want that title as conference champions. That's everybody's goal in the Sun Belt and that's why it's going be a good football game. I know they're not going to give it up easy, but we're going to do everything we can to take it.”
But, to earn that all-important win, the Trojans have some areas of concern to get straight before the trip to Ft. Lauderdale. Coach Larry Blakeney said the play of the Troy defensive unit, which was exposed by Oklahoma State last week to the tune of 612 yards of total offense.
“Our corner play was horrendous and it's starting to become a place where everyone is going to attack us,” Blakeney said. “We've got to at least be able to defend or be able to tackle and right now we can't do either at that position.”
The Trojans also struggled up front defensively against Oklahoma State with senior Kenny Mainor out for the season. That loss means players like sophomore John Mark Patrick and freshman Brandon Boudreaux have to step up and contribute when called upon.
But the Troy coach emphasized that the focus for his team can't be on the past. He wants to make sure all of his squad's attention is squarely on the Owls.
“We can't live in the past, but we've got to draw from the loss last year, and try to make sure that we're able to compete,” Blakeney said. “In my opinion, and the way I describe it to the team, is we have to put the team first, everyday of the week, in everything that we do.
“The number one goal is to win our conference ? period. It's got nothing to do with anything else. Win our conference, and whatever falls under that umbrella, that's our number one goal, win the league.”
That message seems to have struck a chord with members of the team.
“We're all excited to get into the conference because, with these out of conference games, we've had a couple of losses,” Woods said. “Our main goal, when it's all said and done, is to be holding that New Orleans Bowl Trophy and this is where it starts.”
Kickoff for the game between the Trojans and Owls is set for 7 p.m. (CT) Tuesday night from Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The game will be televised live on ESPN2 with the announce team of Rece Davis, Mark May, Lou Holtz and Rob Stone on hand.
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