Troy University Athletics
Alcorn, First Playing Time, and Ohio State
9/17/2008 5:00:00 AM | Football
On The Line
September 17
This past weekend we played Alcorn State University. It was clear that it was a one-sided game, and we dominated from beginning to end.
I will say that going against that defense from the beginning of the second half to deep into the fourth quarter, they kept coming with heart. There is a measure of a man in his ability to come back time-after-time. It can also be said that is insanity. I guess there is a fine line. They have respect.
I hadn't played a sanctioned football game against another team since November of 2006. Two years later, I played in my first game since playing at Fort Meade High School. That was my 58th straight game, and it was against new signee Jimbo Arnold's Glades Day School Gators. Our schools are arch rivals, and have met in the playoffs the past nine years. In that time span, we won seven of the nine games...but, enough about high school.
I played in 33 snaps from the open of the second quarter to near the end of the fourth quarter. The first play I went in on was a boot right, which I wondered about in my mind at first. See, Jamie (Hampton) is left-handed. I looked around, and saw that “Primetime” Levi Brown was in. I then understood.
It was a good first play for me, I felt. Pull around from the left guard position, and seal the defensive end. The first play is the toughest, but I can say that I wasn't nervous. I was excited, and I kept saying to myself “This is what you've worked for in high school, and the past two years to get...PLAYING college football.”
I know that I will be reminding myself of that more times as my years here go on.
Though I graded out in the 90-percentile on the night, I had two penalties, and gave up a sack. It was not the debut I wanted to have. And nerves didn't cause the penalties at all. They called me for a false start and a hold. Which, I don't know where they got the hold from. I don't hold. I don't know what they're talking about. Never have held one time in my life. Never have. Never will. Holding? Pssh.
But the sack, that is the biggest thing that stuck out like a sore thumb. I hate giving up a sack. It is my job to protect my quarterback and running back. I take it personal to do such things, on and off the field. So, it made me mad to have given up that sack. I'll learn from it.
So, this week: Ohio State. We are fired up to take on this Buckeye team. There is no lack of motivation this week. I don't like to talk too much before a big game. I don't want to give board material. But, we are confident heading in to Columbus on Saturday morning.
“The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” - Moliere
MG
