Troy University Athletics
Troy University
FIU
Trojans Drop Homecoming to FIU
11/13/2010 7:52:50 PM | Football
Loss ends streak of 12 straight homecoming victories
GAME NOTES | GAME STATISTICS | SIDEBAR | PHOTO GALLERY | TROY POST-GAME QUOTES | FIU POST-GAME QUOTES
The Troy Trojans entered Saturday's contest against the Florida International knowing the offensive firepower the Panthers possessed. The Trojans had trouble containing the speed and versatility of FIU, and the Panthers knocked off Troy, 52-35.
The loss to FIU is the first in the series for Troy among other firsts that occurred Saturday. Troy leads the series 6-1 overall. The loss also dropped the Trojans (5-4, 4-2) into second place in the league race behind FIU (4-5,, 4-1)
Jerrel Jernigan etched his name in the record books in a few more columns on Saturday night, but it wasn't enough to help the Trojans earn a win. Jernigan set the Sun Belt Conference record for career receptions. His 10 catchesin the game give him236 all-time receptions, leading both Troy and the conference. He also broke the record for career receiving yardage at Troy. His 32 yards were enough to put him at the top of the list with 2,922, moving him past legendary Danny Grant, who was in attendance at the game.
The Homecoming loss is just the second for Troy under the Larry Blakeney era, and the coach said no matter when, how or where they lose, they all hurt.
“There hasn't ever been one that didn't hurt,” Blakeney said. “FIU has been improving over the years. I've made some statements about Mario Cristobal and the job he has done. Everything sort of culminated for them. They've been playing a lot of tough programs and playing pretty well. They've really become a good football team. They are certainly the odds on favorite to win the league.”
The biggest storyline of the game was the Panthers ability to move the ball. While Troy turnovers assisted the Panthers in gaining momentum, their offensive production fueled them as well. Seven FIU touchdown drives in the game were accomplished in 24 plays and in just 9:49 of total game time.
T.Y. Hilton led the charge for the Golden Panthers with six rushed on the night for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Hilton also posted 75 receiving yards on two catches. His longest reception of the night was 63 yards. On the night, he accounted for 261 all-purpose yards for FIU on just nine touches.
Shawn Southward led all Trojans with three of the five Troy touchdowns on the night. Southward set up his receiving touchdown by reeling a 49-yard pass from Robinson two plays prior. The touchdown pass helped total him out with 57 yards receiving, and in the ground game he posted two touchdowns and 32 yards.
DuJuan Harris led all Troy rushers with 64 yards.
Corey Robinson finished the night completing 28 of 47 pass attempts with two touchdowns and two interceptions for 299 yards.
"It's an embarrassment to come out like that in front of our home crowd, on our home field," sophomore defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi said. "It all just came down to who wanted it the most."
Troy will travel to Columbia, South Carolina, next weekend to face the University of South Carolina Gamecocks of the Southeastern Conference.
