Troy University Athletics
BGSU coach Dave Clawson and Troy's Larry Blakeney will match wits on Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Blakeney Set to Begin 20th Season at Troy
8/31/2010 12:39:41 PM | Football
Trojans Open Against Bowling Green Saturday Night
TROY GAME NOTES | BOWLING GREEN GAME NOTES | SUN BELT RELEASE
FOOTBALL NEWS CONFERENCE AUDIO | TROJAN PRESS CLIPPINGS
(click on image for press conference highlights courtesy of TrojanVision)
Head Coach Larry Blakeney will begin his 20th season guiding the Troy football program on Saturday. He and the Trojans will be looking to continue one streak, while putting an end to another when they face the Bowling Green State Falcons.
The lights will be on Saturday night in Veterans Memorial Stadium as the Trojans and Falcons are set for a 6 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are available for purchase by calling the Trojans ticket office at 1-877-878-WINS. The game will be broadcast on the Troy/ISP Sports Network – Fox College Sports (Pacific), ESPN3.com, WFGX-TV Pensacola, WNCF-TV/WBMM-TV Montgomery, TV 18 Opelika and Time Warner Cable in Dothan and Enterprise.
The 2010 version of the Troy Trojans are looking to be the first in school history to defeat a current member of the Mid-American Conference. The Trojans will have the odds on their side because, in 19 previous home opening games, Blakeney is a perfect 19-0.
The Falcons will pose a threat to that streak.
“We are certainly looking forward to getting to play against someone else, and that would be Bowling Green State out of the MAC,” Blakeney said. “Coach David Clawson is a really fine young head coach who has done a great job at the places he has been in his career, and one of those in Bowling Green. They are a little like us in that they are depleted a little bit from last year. They do have a pretty good nucleus back on both sides, but they are replacing some critical spots, as we are.”
While replacing talent from last year for both teams is a big storyline surrounding the game, there are many more.
Troy fans should expect to see a “two-headed monster” at quarterback to open the season. Another thing to watch for will be how the Trojans handle replacing eight starters on the defensive side of the ball.
Junior Jamie Hampton and redshirt freshman Corey Robinson have been battling throughout the off-season for the starting quarterback role, and a decision was made for the two to split the workload. Senior receiver Jerrel Jernigan said that he and the rest of the offense are comfortable with both quarterbacks. He also broke news as to who may take the very first snap.
“Everyone knows that Corey and Jamie bring different skills to the game,” Jernigan said. “Obviously they can both throw, but Corey has a better arm and Jamie has better legs. They are different, but I think we will use them both in the right way. I am probably going to take the first snap from scrimmage on Saturday, so I will be the starting quarterback.”
Jernigan is not only excited about ending the starting quarterback debate but, after some training from an NFL professional this off-season, he is ready to return punts and kicks as well.
“I have been working really hard, especially on punt returns,” Jernigan said. “Leodis (McKelvin) came back to help me out over the summer. When I first got here I wasn't that high on punt returns. I liked kickoff returns, but I am getting to where I like punt returns more, especially since coach has been beating it into my head that I have to do it. I am comfortable at it now. He (McKelvin) taught me how to read the ball off the punters' foot. I hope that I can have the kind of success he had. I won't say that I will, but I hope so.”
One player, ready to force some of those punting situations, is also ready to get his first start at defensive end for the Trojans. Jonathon Massaquoi may be a new asset to the Troy defense, but his jersey number, 94, is certain to spark some memories.
“The number was worn by someone great who played here, Demarcus Ware,” Massaquoi said. “It was a number that was pre-planned and assigned to me when I got here. My style of play and mechanics may be somewhat similar to Demarcus, but I don't want to be compared to anyone because I have my own shoes to fill. I have my own role to play. It is a different time and a different situation. This is all about how I can step up to the plate.”
The newcomer summed up his thoughts, as well as the feeling of the entire team, with regard to the season opener.
“I am very excited, yet humble at the same time,” Massaquoi said. “I am just trying to get through the week.”
Massaquoi's thoughts are reflected throughout the Trojans' locker room and through the offices of the Tine W. Davis Field House. Saturday marks game number one of a Troy career for many, and game number 232 for Blakeney.
The common thread is that all are equally excited about the start of the season, and the first target in the “Drive for Five” is Bowling Green.
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