Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer
Time For Troy Fans To Get Into The Holiday Spirit
12/9/2010 10:25:03 AM | Football
Coach Blakeney issues challenge for Trojan Nation to be in New Orleans
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!
'Tis the season of giving, and the Trojans are hoping the gift of a trip to New Orleans for the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl will spark the Trojan Nation to get into the Holiday spirit a little early this year.
The Trojans will take on the Ohio Bobcats in the 10th Annual R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 18, at the Louisiana Superdome.
Trojans head coach Larry Blakeney has issued a call to arms for Trojan fans to come together in the Superdome for the largest ever gathering of Troy supporters. To reach that goal, close to 30,000 Troy fans, friends, families and alumni must step up and prove that they are true Trojans.
“I hope that we can gather the largest contingent of Troy University fans, friend and alumni ever,” Blakeney said. “It will have to be a pretty good across the board effort. Last year, in Mobile, was pretty good.
“All I have heard is New Orleans, New Orleans, New Orleans. Well, we are going to New Orleans and now it's time for put up or shut up. We're here, we're going to New Orleans. Go with us!”
Everything had to come together perfectly in the last weekend of the season for the Trojans to get to New Orleans. Troy went into that last week needing a win over Florida Atlantic and a Middle Tennessee victory over FIU. The Trojans held up their end of the deal easily, but the Blue Raiders, normally Troy's most fierce rival, needed some late heroics to hold on for a one-point win.
That combination completed the Trojans' “Drive for Five” as Troy earned a share of its fifth consecutive Sun Belt Football Championship.
The entire Troy team got the news of the MTSU win while onboard its charter flight home from south Florida. When the Blue Raiders won, the team, led by Coach Blakeney, broke into song, singing “Trojans One and All” over and over as the plane landed in Dothan.
Because the championship trophy was delivered to the Trojans wrapped in a Blue Raider shaded ribbon, Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill might expect to get a nice gift from Blakeney during the holidays.
“Coach (Rick) Stockstill called me (Sunday),” Blakeney said. “He said 'I thought I would have already gotten something from you thanking me for helping you a little bit.' I told him that I was certainly going to call, but hadn't gotten around to it yet.
“Certainly, the cards just fell perfectly. We had to do our job, and that was the main thing. You can't worry about what anybody else is doing. You've got to go do your job. The win versus Western Kentucky and the win versus Florida Atlantic on the road were big.”
The Trojans are making their third trip to the New Orleans Bowl in five seasons, and it is a destination that all cardinal-clad faithful have loved in the past. Blakeney encouraged fans to order tickets and attend the game, and he said the Trojans will need full support against the Bobcats and their experienced coaching staff.
The Bobcats are led by head coach Frank Solich. Solich was the head coach at Nebraska, his alma mater, from 1998 to 2003. The Solich led Huskers were the first team Troy faced in making the jump to the Football Bowl Subdivision (Division 1).
“Coach Solich is a high-caliber man,” Blakeney said. “You never heard a peep out of him when he was fired from his alma mater when he went 9-2. He just went on and got himself another job and went to work. I have a high regard for him. I don't know him like I know some of you, but I know him well enough to know that he is a man of great character and knows a lot about football and he can coach them up.”
Solich brought that championship attitude with him to Ohio where the Bobcats have been bowl-eligible for four of his six years at the helm.
The task for the Trojans against Ohio is no different from the other tasks this season. Like Troy's Sun Belt Conference games, this contest comes with some familiarity as well.
“We know a little about them,” Blakeney said. “I've seen them play on TV once. Our defensive coaches have friends on the defensive staff there where during the off-season we exchange things about our defenses.”
Troy fans can answer the call from Coach Blakeney by purchasing tickets for the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl through the Troy Athletic Ticket Office. Even fans who cannot, for whatever reason, attend the game can still support the Trojans by buying tickets to cover costs for the Sound of the South to attend the game or to help underprivileged children in the New Orleans area go to the game.
Tickets for the game are $40 each and all donated tickets are eligible for a tax deduction.
Troy University students can purchase a single student ticket for the game for $20 by presenting a valid student ID at the Athletics Ticket Office.
Fans have three ways to purchase tickets – in person at the Athletics Ticket Office in Davis Fieldhouse, by calling 877-878-WINS or by logging on to www.TroyTrojans.com and buying online.
Answer the challenge. Buy your tickets to the New Orleans Bowl from Troy, and be there in New Orleans with the Trojans face Ohio.
“To all the Troy fans, we really need everybody to come out there next week,” sophomore defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi said. “If anybody needs any information about any tickets about how to get tickets, be sure to come by the ticket office and we will take care of you.”
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