Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Western Kentucky
Trojans Return To Winning Ways
11/27/2010 6:49:31 PM | Football
GAME STATS | PHOTO GALLERY | TROY GAME NOTES | TROY QUOTES | WKU QUOTES
Thankfulness was the common theme for the Troy University football team on Saturday after the Trojans achieved bowl eligibility and kept hopes alive for a fifth straight Sun Belt Conference title with a 28-14 victory over Western Kentucky.
The Trojans decided they would not be denied on senior day.
“We wanted to go out with a bang,” Jerrel Jernigan said. “It was a great game. I went out how I wanted to go out. Since the first day I stepped on campus, the Troy University family took me in. The coaches, the teachers, and I want to thank them for all they did for me.”
The “bang” didn't come without hard work and worry from the Trojans and their coaches though.
“I was really concerned about this game,” head coach Larry Blakeney said. “Credit our coaches, who have been maligned, and our players, who haven't gotten it done maybe as much as they had liked to this year. They came to the party, and played hard and played well. We made some plays on the ball.”
With the victory, the Trojans improved to 6-5 overall on the year and 5-2 in Sun Belt Conference play. WKU closes the season with a 2-10 mark that includes a 2-6 league record.
The Trojans' defense was a shining spot on the field Saturday. Troy's rushing defense had experienced a rough road through Florida International's attack two weeks ago followed by the power rushing attack from South Carolina.
Western Kentucky featured a rush-heavy offense as well, but the Trojans held them in check through the stretch run of the game. Hilltoppers running back Bobby Rainey entered Saturday's game accounting for 48.4 percent of all offensive production, and he also rode a four game streak of surpassing the century mark in rushing yardage. That streak went to five with 157 yards, but most his yards came in the first quarter.
“We got after them,” Blakeney said. “I don't know how many Rainey got, but he didn't get many. Not as many as he is accustomed to getting.”
Troy's offense saw a difference from the previous two weeks as well.Chip Reeves stole the show on Saturday with two touchdown grabs and 97 yards receiving. His second touchdown of the afternoon came on a 47-yard strike from quarterback Corey Robinson to give the Trojans their first lead of the game with 12:39 left in the final quarter. A missed PAT kick left the Trojans with a 20-14 advantage.
Jernigan led all receivers with six catches for 89 yards.
“We had a bunch of senior guys step up and say 'let's get it together', and our defense is going to stop them,” Robinson said. “I felt like a lot of things were clicking for us, and we were coming together a little bit. The deep ball to Chip was a big booster. He made a great play on it using the great speed he has.”
Robinson was 26-of-39 on the day passing, for 304 yards and two touchdowns.
Troy added an insurance score with 5:08 left to play when Shawn Southward continued his success story against the Hilltoppers. Southward scored from two yards out adding to his final line of 81 yards with the score.
Chris Anderson also had a rushing touchdown in the game, the first of the day for Troy.
“I'm feeling great,” Jernigan said. “Anytime after you win you're going to feel great. After last week, to come back and get a win was big for us.”
The Trojans aren't focused on this week or last week anymore though. The “Drive for Five” is well and alive for Troy, and the road to the trophy waits for Troy at Florida Atlantic next Saturday.
Kickoff between the Trojans and Owls is set for 1 p.m. from Boca Raton. The game will be televised by ESPNU.
