Trojan Tradition Alive Again

Saturday, November 19

Troy, Ala.

2:30 p.m.

Troy University

3-7 , 2-4

Florida Atlantic

0-10 , 0-7

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Florida Atlantic

TROY

Photo by: Edward Fieder

11/19/2011 6:04:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Troy football honors its seniors with a 34-7 victory over FAU snapping a five game losing streak.

By: Ben Maxwell

Game Notes | Photo Gallery | Box Score

Troy, Ala. – The Trojan (3-7, 2-4) football team honored their seniors in their final home game at Veterans Memorial Stadium with a 34-7 victory over the Florida Atlantic Owls (0-10, 0-7) on Saturday. The victory snaps a five game losing streak and protects the Trojans from finishing last in the Sun Belt conference.

Despite giving up two fumbles and an interception in only the first half, the Trojan offense had found their rhythm once again. With the help of a 52 yard Will Goggans punt the Trojan defense held FAU to a punt from their own end zone allowing Troy to start their first possession of the second quarter in FAU territory.

In their opening drive of the second quarter the Trojan offense drove down to the FAU 10 yard line before having to settle for a 27 yard field goal by kicker Michael Taylor.

The Trojan offense continued to produce when three drives later they drove 79 yards down the field capped off by a pass from Corey Robinson to Khary Franklin for a 14 yard touchdown reception. The score would be Franklin's first career touchdown coming in his first career start.

Troy's offense was still not done, as Robinson connected to Eric Thomas on a 57 yard touchdown pass giving Troy a 17-0 lead over FAU.

The Owls would answer right back, however driving 72 yards to score on a 10 yard Alfred Morris rushing touchdown. FAU would go onto drive down the field in their final drive of the half to attempt a 47 yard field goal with five seconds left; however FAU kicker Vinny Zaccario's attempt would fail sending the Trojans into the locker room with a 17-7 lead at the half.

Troy's offense would get a big boost in the second half by their punt returner Justin Albert who after recording a 38 yard punt return in the first half would top it with his longest return of the season of a 47 yard punt return in the third quarter to give Troy possession at FAU's 19 yard line. However, Troy failed to convert Albert's efforts into points after a failed 33 yard Taylor field goal attempt.

On Troy's following offensive drive Corey Robinson completed to Eric Thomas on two consecutive passes totaling 34 yards to set up a two yard touchdown rush by Shawn Southward to build the Troy lead to 24-7.

On the ensuing FAU drive Troy's defense stood tall even claiming an interception courtesy of Trojan safety Barry Valcin. Troy's offense would turn that turnover into points with a 25 yard touchdown pass from Robinson to Thomas giving the Trojans a 31-7 lead.

With the demanding lead Troy moved to its running game to run out the clock. The Trojan running backs did more than that as DJ Taylor and Chris
Anderson pounded the ball out on the ground for 62 yards to set up a Michael Taylor 35 yard field goal.

Taylor's final field goal would build the Trojan lead to 34-7. The Trojan defense would go on to secure that lead as the final horn sounded giving Troy the win and snapping a five game losing streak in the Trojans final home game of the season.

Troy now will have to prepare to hit the road for their final two matchups starting with Western Kentucky. The Trojans travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky to take on the Hilltoppers on Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon.