Troy University Athletics
Time To Handle Business
11/17/2009 4:00:00 AM | Football
The Troy Trojans football team has work to do. The only thing that stands between the Trojans and a fourth consecutive Sun Belt Conference title is the Owls of Florida Atlantic.
"If we win the game we seal our fate," Trojans head coach Larry Blakeney said. "We know that. They know that."
Troy (7-3, 6-0) and Florida Atlantic (3-6, 3-2) will be televised as the Sun Belt Conference Game of The Week on CSS. Kickoff is set for 3:15 pm at Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium. The game can also be heard on Troy/ISP Sports radio affiliates throughout the state.
Troy University will celebrate senior day and a tribute to United States Armed Forces on Saturday. The Trojans are hoping to cap off the day of celebrations with a victory. Getting a win against the Owls is never an easy task though. In fact, Florida Atlantic was the last team to defeat the Trojans at home in 2007.
That loss came in the final game of the season as well, and it was the Trojans only conference loss in 2007. It was just enough to keep Troy from post season play, and that is something fresh on the minds of the 2009 senior class.
“I remember that game vividly,” senior quarterback Levi Brown said. “That was my redshirt season, but I was there on the sideline. I remember the last drive when we had a chance to win it and didn't get it done and the buzzer going off. It was like a pep rally over there on their side. I still remember it, and that's in the back of my mind.”
The Trojans senior class has the opportunity to close out their careers with a conference title each year, but the team has never finished undefeated in the league. To accomplish that goal, the team would finish the deal at home, and that too is very important to the team.
“It would feel great,” senior safety Courtland Fuller said. “We have the home crowd, and it would be a good environment to do it in front of our fans who have been out there supporting us the whole season. It would be good to do it for the home crowd.”
The talk of clinching the title and senior day has dominated the buzz with the upcoming contest against the Owls, but the Trojans will have to earn the outcome they want.
“FAU is certainly very prolific offensively, (quarterback) Rusty Smith or not,” Blakeney said. “The other guy (Jeff Van Camp) is pretty good. He makes a lot of plays in getting the ball to the tight ends and wide receivers. Their backs run hard. They know what they want to do. They aren't any different than they have been for the most part. They'll give you problems formation wise. They get to the plays that they know how to run the best, and they formation it up where they have enough blockers to outnumber you or out leverage you. We really have to have a good plan defensively. We have learned from them over the years as to how you approach a defensive game plan in that they aren't going to give you too much of a tip on who they will send in the game. They are all going to be folks that can run the ball or catch it. They are good enough to beat anybody in our league including us.”
FAU quarterback Rusty Smith, famous to Troy players and fans for his 2007 performance against the Trojans, will not play Saturday. Smith went down with a season-ending shoulder injury, but his replacement is equally dangerous if not more.
“With past experiences with seeing games and playing games, the young guys that come in are dangerous,” senior linebacker Bear Woods said. “What do they have to lose? What do they have to prove? They aren't expected to do anything. They aren't expected to win this game. As a young quarterback they will take risks, do whatever it takes to win and make big plays. They won't hold anything back. I have heard already that he is good. He's going to be a dangerous guy, and we will be ready for him.”
Woods and the Trojans will be focused on the task and have their eyes on the ultimate prize. This historic senior class will look to lead the Trojans on Saturday for the last time at home.
“I can't even describe it with words, being here for five years and it was such a long road to get to where I am,” Woods said. “For this program to have grown the way it has, and just knowing where it's going to go even after this year and all the things we're still going to do this year, It's just going to mean a lot to me. It really will be truly special, especially with a group of guys that we take the field with. They mean everything to me, and there are so many great teammates and coaches. When we take that field Saturday it's going to be something special.”
TROY QUOTES ON FLORIDA ATLANTIC.....
HEAD COACH LARRY BLAKENEY....
On the Owls offense...
“FAU is certainly very prolific offensively, Rusty Smith or not. The other guy (Jeff Van Camp) is pretty good. He makes a lot of plays in getting the ball to the tight ends and wide receivers. Their backs run hard. They know what they want to do. They aren't any different than they have been for the most part. They'll give you problems formation wise. They get to the plays that they know how to run the best, and they formation it up where they have enough blockers to outnumber you or out leverage you. We really have to have a good plan defensively. We have learned from them over the years as to how you approach a defensive game plan in that they aren't going to give you too much of a tip on who they will send in the game. They are all going to be folks that can run the ball or catch it. They are good enough to beat anybody in our league including us.”
On the Trojans...
“Whatever we do we have to take care of the football. We have got to move the chains and score points. They'll certainly have the capabilities to score on us. The kicking game is always big in this game. We have to have us a good plan, and hard play and perfect play in special teams. If we win the game we seal our fate. We know that. They know that. They are good enough to beat us. Everybody gets to coach and play. Match-ups are different every week. We have to make sure we have a good week on and off the field in preparation. Hopefully we'll get it done.”
WIDE RECEIVER JERREL JERNIGAN....
On Securing Sun Belt Title...
“We would like to close it out on our home field in front of our home fans. We would like to celebrate on our home field. We're going to come in this week and practice, get ready to go and see if we can get the 'W'.”
FREE SAFETY COURTLAND FULLER....
On senior day...
“It will feel good to wear it (the home jersey) one more time at home. The first thing on my mind is to go out and get a win in my last game at Movie Gallery Stadium. Hopefully we can do that this weekend. It's a big deal. I know if we win it will give us a good shot at going to New Orleans again.”
On winning title at home...
“It would feel great. We have the home crowd, and it would be a good environment to do it in front of our fans who have been out there supporting us the whole season. It would be good to do it for the home crowd.”
LINEBACKER BEAR WOODS....
On FAU...
“Its senior day, and what better team to do it against than FAU with the history and wins and losses in the rivalry. Just the scheduling and the way the conference has played out adds a lot of heat to the rivalry. That probably even makes it a rivalry.”
On winning game at home...
“We have been blessed with the opportunity to clinch at home and celebrate with our fans. I just know the leadership on this team will take advantage of this opportunity. You want to celebrate with your fans. When we did it at Middle Tennessee it was great, but you want your fans to experience it too.”
On senior day...
“I can't even describe it with words, being here for five years and it was such a long road to get to where I am. For this program to have grown the way it has, and just knowing where it's going to go even after this year and all the things we're still going to do this year, It's just going to mean a lot to me. It really will be truly special especially with a group of guys that we take the field with. They mean everything to me, and there are so many great teammates and coaches. When we take that field Saturday it's going to be something special.”
On FAU QB Jeff Van Camp...
“With past experiences with seeing games and playing games, the young guys that come in are dangerous. What do they have to lose? What do they have to prove? They aren't expected to do anything. They aren't expected to win this game. As a young quarterback they will take risks, do whatever it takes to win and make big plays. They won't hold anything back. I have heard already that he is good. He's going to be a dangerous guy, and we will be ready for him.”
QUARTERBACK LEVI BROWN...
On clinching the Sun Belt title...
“It's a big game for us obviously. We've got a chance to secure the conference or at least a share of it, and secure the New Orleans Bowl. We have everything to play for this week. It's really important for the fans that come to every game and cheer us on all the time. I would love to do it at home in front of the home crowd. It would be a lot better than doing it on the road.”
On the 2007 FAU Game...
“I remember that game vividly. That was my redshirt season, but I was there on the sideline. I remember the last drive when we had a chance to win it and didn't get it done and the buzzer going off. It was like a pep rally over there on their side. I still remember it, and that's in the back of my mind.”
