Turnovers Cost Troy at Home

Saturday, November 12

Troy, Ala.

12:00 p.m.

Troy University

2-7 , 1-4

North Texas

4-6 , 3-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

North Texas

TROY

Photo by: Edward Fieder

11/12/2011 3:31:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Troy gave up a total of three turnovers in their 38-33 loss to North Texas at home on Saturday.

By: Ben Maxwell

Box Score | Game Notes | Photo Gallery

Troy, Ala. – Troy (2-7, 1-4) suffered three turnovers in it's 38-33 loss to North Texas (4-6, 3-3) on Saturday. The Mean Green managed to capitalize on all three turnovers on their way to victory over the Trojans in Troy's 2011 homecoming game.

Troy's defense would hold North Texas to a minimal gain on their opening drive, the Trojans returned possession to the Mean Green on a fumble on their opening drive. North Texas turned the Trojan error into points on the ensuing drive with a 15 yard touchdown run by quarterback Derek Thompson.

The Trojans quickly answered back on their next offensive series, as Troy capped of a 63-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown rush by quarterback Corey Robinson. The scoring rush would be his first rushing touchdown of his career.

On the following Mean Green drive, North Texas drove 68 yards down the field with the help of a 40-yard completion from Thompson to wide receiver Chris Bynes. However, the Trojan defense would stand tall inside it's own 10-yard line and would force North Texas to settle for a 21-yard field goal giving them a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, after a tough defensive battle, North Texas would get on the board once again in the form of a 52-yard rushing touchdown by Mean Green running back James Hamilton.

After struggling with the passing game and suffering two three-and outs in the second quarter Troy switched to their running game pounding the ball on the ground 45 yards. However it was Troy's passing game that secured the points as Robinson connected to wide receiver Eric Thomas on a 31-yard touchdown pass making the score 17-14, with Troy trailing only by three with under five minutes to play in the first half.

Troy's defense would build on the momentum shift on the ensuing North Texas drive as Trojan cornerback Jimmie Anderson intercepted a Derek Thompson pass. Troy would turn the North Texas error into points with five yard touchdown pass to BJ Chitty giving Troy a 21-17 lead with under three minutes left in the half.

North Texas did answer back on the following drive with a Thompson to Ivan Delgado 28-yard touchdown reception that would give the Mean Green another lead at 24-21 going into half time.

The Trojan defense came out strong in the second half holding North Texas on a fourth down conversion attempt in their first drive. However, Troy would give the ball back on an interception on the following drive to give the Mean Green possession on their own four yard line. The Trojan defense would hold again forcing a North Texas punt.

Troy repaired their passing game on their next drive as Robinson connected to Eric Thomas again for a 33 yard touchdown pass. Kicker Michael Taylor's extra point would be no good but Troy would still gain another lead at 27-24 with under five minutes left in the third quarter.

North Texas' first offensive drive of the fourth quarter, Thompson connected again with Bynes on a 46-yard touchdown completion to give the Mean Green another lead at 31-27.

Troy would go on to fumble on their next offensive drive giving North Texas possession on Troy's six-yard line. North Texas would turn that turnover into points as well, this time in the form of a six yard Hamilton touchdown rush giving the Mean Green a
38-27 lead.

Troy's offense would not be done in, as they passed their way 80 yards down the field for a Robinson to Felton Payton 10-yard touchdown pass for his first career touchdown reception. After a failed two-point conversion the Trojans would trail North Texas 38-33 with less than eight minutes remaining in the game.

North Texas would march their way down the field on the ensuing drive knocking off more than seven minutes on the clock. Troy's defense would stall the Mean Green causing a turnover on downs gaining possession on their own 26-yard line with 15 seconds left in the game. Troy would only gain nine yards in the as the final seconds ticked off the clock giving North Texas the 38-33 victory.

The loss leaves Troy with its second home loss of the season and runs the their losing streak to five games now. Troy has not had a losing streak of five games or more since 1982.

The Trojans will now turn their attention to rebounding against Florida Atlantic at home next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium.