Troy University Athletics
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Trojans Defense is Continuing to Work
9/30/2010 3:26:29 PM | Football
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The Troy Trojans defense made some key changes against Arkansas State to fill in for injured players. The changes worked out, and the Trojans are looking to key in on the new scheme and have it perfected for one of the season's toughest tests.
Troy will face the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on Tuesday night in a nationally televised game, and in that game lays a challenge that could cause a problem for any defense in the nation. His name is Dwight Dasher, and he is the Blue Raiders quarterback. Dasher sat out the first four games of the season, but he will be back to face the Trojans.
Troy's defense expects to be ready for the challenges Dasher will present.
“It is just another opponent for us,” defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi said. “We have a bull's-eye on our chest every week. They want something that we have, and we are racing to keep it.
“You have your challenges in this game, and it is all about how you balance it out at the end of the day. We just have to take things a day at a time. Whatever confidence his return brings to their team, here in Troy, Alabama, we are going to be ready.”
The Trojans are the four-time defending Sun Belt Champions, and one of the significant games in championship pursuit each season is the “Battle for the Palladium” with Middle Tennessee. Troy's defense is ready to help continue the push in the Trojans' “Drive for Five”.
“I am going to take advantage every time I get the chance,” linebacker Kanorris Davis said when asked about getting to hit Dasher. “Any time I see someone with the ball I want them to feel me. I want them to look for me when they catch the ball and I want them to know that number 44 is coming to get them.”
Davis was a pivotal part of the Trojans defensive changes last week. He saw time at the defensive end position in the win against Arkansas State after missing the previous two games with injuries.
“I can do that (play defensive end) or they could back me up a little and let me be a spy on the quarterback,” Davis said. “If I could have no responsibilities and go to the ball, I can do that. I'm not real big on the thinking part. I am just a player who wants to go get it – see ball, hit ball.”
Davis' mentality has helped him become an asset to the Trojans defense, and he doesn't care where he is on the field. He simply wants to make the Trojans defense better.
“Last year they had a new package for me almost every game, so when they told me what I would be doing, I knew it was going to my chance to play,” Davis said. “It doesn't matter that I don't have the size, I have the heart and I am going do whatever I can and give you 110 percent every time. If they put me at safety, I am going to go crack somebody. They can put me on the line, I am going to find a way to get by.”
Linebacker Jacoby Thomas was another player who saw time at the defensive end position against Arkansas State and his mentality is much like that of Davis. If there is a gap that needs to be filled he, and anyone on the team, will work to fill the spot.
“All week I practiced playing defensive end, even though I have never played d-end before,” Thomas said. “We focused on getting up the field and pressuring the quarterback. It wasn't that much of a transition. The big thing was that we realized that we can always work together through anything. If someone goes down, someone has to step up to replace them, regardless of the changes.”
Davis and Thomas were charged will filling in for senior Mario Addison in the game against Arkansas State. The Trojans hope Addison will be ready to return after breaking a bone in his hand during the UAB game.
The Trojans defense has experienced highs and lows through the early portion of the season, but their mentality is determination to let nothing stand in the way. Not Dwight Dasher. Not Middle Tennessee. The squad is learning more about itself each day, and they are looking forward to showcasing the progression each week.
Massaquoi summed up the progression best when he said that they will never be able to peg when the defense will fire on all cylinders, but it is a special moment that is unlike any other.
“We have to keep our heads on our shoulders and not get excited because we won one game,” Massaquoi said. “We have to act like we have won before and go back to work to get ready for the next game.
“There will be a moment where we will know. It will not be a moment that is planned, but will be something where you get that warm feeling when everyone comes together. It will almost be like a movie moment and I will be excited about that.”
The Trojans hope that moment will be witnessed by the nation next Tuesday night in the showdown with the Blue Raiders.
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