Troy University Athletics
Fumble Recovery Keys Comeback Victory
10/16/2010 11:44:23 PM | Football
Heads up play by Willis Leads to Win
In a season where the Troy Trojans have snatched victory from defeat and suffered last-gasp heartbreak, Troy is seemingly finding a new playmaker when it matters most. Saturday night's dramatic victory over the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns was of little difference as the turning point was courtesy of a familiar face in Bryan Willis, an All-Sun Belt cornerback who Troy has associated with big plays.
Troy won 31-24, but the turning point came with the Ragin' Cajuns up 21-17 when the defense forced a fumble during a Louisiana-Lafayette that began due to a Corey Robinson interception. The ensuing drive seemed destined to end with a touchdown before Troy's defense rose to the occasion.
After the ball was knocked loose from ULL quarterback Chris Masson, Willis was there to scoop up the ball and race 62 yards into Cajun territory, where Troy quickly snatched the lead 38 seconds later on a touchdown pass from Jonathan Chandler to Jason Bruce.
Even though the Cajuns would answer with a field goal, their momentum was all but gone as Troy marched right back down the field for the game-winning score.
Willis spoke about the fumble, noting that he wasn't the only one who saw the ball pop loose. And as this season has shown, when the opportunity presents itself, the Trojans pounce on it.
“They (Louisiana-Lafayette) only needed a couple of yards…and the defensive line stopped him and I guess he tried to reach for it and fumbled,” Willis said of the play. “I think Mario (Addison) saw the ball come out first, but I saw it and reacted on it. I tried to take it back, but I have been bothered by a hamstring injury and wasn't able to run as fast as I normally would.”
While Willis may not have galloped as fast as he would like, it was certainly enough for the Trojans who quickly made his efforts worthwhile. Willis was one of many Trojan defenders dealing with injury, but just like the rest, it didn't stop Willis from producing when his team needed it most.
Willis credited the team's preparation for his ability to react as smoothly as he did.
“My eyes got big because we work on ball drills every Sunday where you scoop and score,” Willis noted of his recognition of the loose ball. “I saw it, scooped it and tried to score.”
Even though Willis was brought down short of his planned destination, he had no regrets.
“I got what I could,” he said.
Tonight, in a game where Troy committed five turnovers, the last one went the way of the Trojans, and that coupled with Willis' grit and awareness was all the Trojans needed.
