Troy University Athletics
Trojans Hold Press Conference on Match-up with Middle Tennessee
8/25/2008 5:00:00 AM | Football
With kickoff a little more than 72 hours away, the Troy Trojans are anxious to see some new faces and get the season started off on the right foot.
That attitude was evident in the weekly press conference held today at Country's Bar-B-Q in Troy.
“It is here again,” head coach Larry Blakeney said. “It hasn't been that long, but it's been a while since we last played. We are looking forward to playing the game and seeing what we are about. Plus, the winner of this game is on top of the league early.”
The annual game with Middle Tennessee State University is one that means a lot to many Trojan fans. The student bodies created a trophy and both schools want to get their hands on it, but only the winner gets to keep it.
“The Palladium Trophy sits in my office all year long,” Blakeney said. “It never leaves my office when we are in possession of it. It means a lot to our program and our players and we do not want to give it up.”
The Trojans come into the contest with MTSU with several veterans but also with several concerns.
“We have a lot of production to replace on both sides of the ball,” Blakeney said. “We have to be solid with our defensive backs and they will have to hold up our defense. Our kicking game is untested. No matter who we throw out there, it will be their first time in a game. You can kick all day in practice but nothing can simulate the full speed in a game. We also have a new quarterback, so we will have to see how we play.”
One player who is no stranger to the action on the field is returning linebacker, Boris Lee. Lee was selected as a pre-season All-Conference player as well as being named as a Lombardi Award candidate.
“Game week took a long time to get here,” Lee said. “We have been looking forward to playing them all summer and fall. Playing them is a great rivalry and it is a big game for us, and I love big games.”
Troy's season came to an abrupt end last season when the Trojans lost to Florida Atlantic in a heart-breaker in the home finale. That taste is one the Trojans hope to get out of their mouths early on.
“Getting knocked out of the New Orleans bowl last season is totally going to motivate us all season,” Lee said. “Right now, we aren't thinking of anything but Middle Tennessee. Next week, it will be someone else.”
Jerrel Jernigan returns as the Trojans most explosive offensive threat. Last season, Jernigan had 30 receptions for 337 yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman. He hopes to improve those stats this year.
“There isn't any pressure on any of us to make plays,” Jernigan said. “I think our offense is going to be more explosive than last season and we will be more physical. With our receivers, no one can focus on just one person. We have several guys who can make plays.”
One of the biggest changes will be the attitude of the offensive unit. According to Jernigan, they will be ready.
“You can't ask for more than a rivalry game in the opening week of football,” Jernigan said. “It doesn't matter what time of year it is; if you can't get up for this game, you shouldn't be playing football.”
Come rain or shine on Thursday night, the Trojans and the Blue Raiders will battle for the Palladium trophy, a league win, pride, and everything in between.
Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The contest will be televised by ESPN Regional Television. Local and regional affiliates are scheduled to include WRJM-TV in Montgomery, WFGX-TV in Mobile/Pensacola and Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast (CSS). Cox Sports Television will also carry the game tape delayed on Friday in Louisiana.
Fans who are unable to get any of those channels on their cable or satellite systems can also see the game online at ESPN360.com.
That attitude was evident in the weekly press conference held today at Country's Bar-B-Q in Troy.
“It is here again,” head coach Larry Blakeney said. “It hasn't been that long, but it's been a while since we last played. We are looking forward to playing the game and seeing what we are about. Plus, the winner of this game is on top of the league early.”
The annual game with Middle Tennessee State University is one that means a lot to many Trojan fans. The student bodies created a trophy and both schools want to get their hands on it, but only the winner gets to keep it.
“The Palladium Trophy sits in my office all year long,” Blakeney said. “It never leaves my office when we are in possession of it. It means a lot to our program and our players and we do not want to give it up.”
The Trojans come into the contest with MTSU with several veterans but also with several concerns.
“We have a lot of production to replace on both sides of the ball,” Blakeney said. “We have to be solid with our defensive backs and they will have to hold up our defense. Our kicking game is untested. No matter who we throw out there, it will be their first time in a game. You can kick all day in practice but nothing can simulate the full speed in a game. We also have a new quarterback, so we will have to see how we play.”
One player who is no stranger to the action on the field is returning linebacker, Boris Lee. Lee was selected as a pre-season All-Conference player as well as being named as a Lombardi Award candidate.
“Game week took a long time to get here,” Lee said. “We have been looking forward to playing them all summer and fall. Playing them is a great rivalry and it is a big game for us, and I love big games.”
Troy's season came to an abrupt end last season when the Trojans lost to Florida Atlantic in a heart-breaker in the home finale. That taste is one the Trojans hope to get out of their mouths early on.
“Getting knocked out of the New Orleans bowl last season is totally going to motivate us all season,” Lee said. “Right now, we aren't thinking of anything but Middle Tennessee. Next week, it will be someone else.”
Jerrel Jernigan returns as the Trojans most explosive offensive threat. Last season, Jernigan had 30 receptions for 337 yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman. He hopes to improve those stats this year.
“There isn't any pressure on any of us to make plays,” Jernigan said. “I think our offense is going to be more explosive than last season and we will be more physical. With our receivers, no one can focus on just one person. We have several guys who can make plays.”
One of the biggest changes will be the attitude of the offensive unit. According to Jernigan, they will be ready.
“You can't ask for more than a rivalry game in the opening week of football,” Jernigan said. “It doesn't matter what time of year it is; if you can't get up for this game, you shouldn't be playing football.”
Come rain or shine on Thursday night, the Trojans and the Blue Raiders will battle for the Palladium trophy, a league win, pride, and everything in between.
Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The contest will be televised by ESPN Regional Television. Local and regional affiliates are scheduled to include WRJM-TV in Montgomery, WFGX-TV in Mobile/Pensacola and Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast (CSS). Cox Sports Television will also carry the game tape delayed on Friday in Louisiana.
Fans who are unable to get any of those channels on their cable or satellite systems can also see the game online at ESPN360.com.
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