Troy University Athletics
Exley, Trojans Complete Scrimmage
8/13/2011 2:29:00 PM | Football
Final Scrimmage Stats
Photo Gallery
The Trojans completed their first scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday morning, with the offense clicking early and the defense settling in late. The most important thing to note from Saturday's scrimmage is the Trojans made it through the 90-minute session without any injuries.
The player that stood out the most on Satururday morning was a little known, walk-on running back. To learn more about Brian Exley, scroll down for today's TroyTrojans.com player feature.
Scrimmage Recap
The Trojans offense scored touchdowns on each of their first three possessions before the defense buckled down for the remainder of the session.
The scrimmage started off with a bang as sophomore Corey Robinson hit fellow sophomore Eric Thomas streaking down the sideline for a 56-yard catch on the first play from scrimmage. Robinson capped off the possession with a five-yard touchdown pass to Corey Johnson.
The second-team offense capped off a seven-play, 65-yard drive on the next possession with a 20-yard touchdown run from T.J Mitchell. The scoring rush was set up by Exley who scampered for 21 yards after catching a shovel pass from Luke Barnes.
D.J. Taylor capped of the third scoring drive with a seven-yard touchdown run which was set up when Robinson hit Justin Albert over the middle for a 47-yard completion.
Robinson finished the day 12-for-25 with 187 yards passing, one touchdown and no interceptions.
After the three scoring drives, the defense settled down and didn't allow another touchdown until the Trojans ran red zone drills to finish the scrimmage.
The Trojans leading rusher on the day was Mitchell who piled up 73 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. Johnson led all Trojan receivers with four catches for 21 yards.
Numerous defensive players got in on tackles on the day with sophomore defensive back Camren Hudson leading the way with 10 tackles, one interception and one pass deflection.
The following players did not dress out: WR Brett Moncrief, QB Jamie Hampton, DB LaDarrius Madden, DB Bryan Willis, LB Kanorris Davis, OL DeMarkus Underwood, DT Emanuel Dudley and DE John Clark.
Mystery Man
When you think of a beast on the playing field, you think of a highly recruited, five-star prospect. You wouldn't think of a shy walk-on.
Well, the player that certainly stood out during the scrimmage today was a beast.
A very shy freshman from Geneva, Ala., Brian Exley is a running back for the Trojans and is fighting his way onto the field, looking to play with the first string. Today, he saw the majority of his snaps with the second team, but that didn't keep him from stealing the show.
“This scrimmage is about proving you can play on the field,” says running backs coach Jeff Beckles. “And that is exactly what Brain Exley has shown us today.”
Exley was recruited out of high school to play for Troy, but he turned the offer down and decided not to go to school. Three years later, he came to the Troy coaches and asked to walk on the team. Exley redshirted a season ago and is now looking to make some big plays.
“I can point to him and tell my other running backs to follow his style,” says Beckles. “He leads by example and is a man of few words.”
After the scrimmage, Exley would not allow interviews. He has a machinist style on the field, but off the field he is extremely shy.
Off the field, his fellow teammates describe Exley as;
“Completely humble”
“The nicest guy”
“One of the shyest people ever”
On the field, the defense calls him;
“A force to be reckoned with”
“Hard to stop”
“Mentally tough”
Exley is known for lowering his shoulders and plowing through the defense. He jumps, bends, and twists his way through the defense and sees defenders only as obstacles that must be cleared.
On the day, he officially carried the ball eight times for 53 yards. However, he had two touchdowns called back due to offensive penalties.
Media Day Notes
Troy University football coaches and players met with media members after the scrimmage as part of the Trojans' annual Media Day. All 10 coaches met with the media in Rane Auditorium while players met with media members one-on-one.
Special thanks to Colby's Restaurant in Ozark, Ala., for providing lunch for media members and coaches.
Trojans' linebacker coach announced at media day that sophomore linebacker Johnny Thompson has had to give up the game due to an injury. Thompson is a sophomore linebacker from Valley, Ala. He will remain at Troy and complete his degree.
In Thompson's absence, Angelo Hadley has moved from safety to linebacker.
Two other Trojans, Sidell Corley and Shonquelle Swain, have also learned that they will have to give up football due to medical conditions. Corley is a senior defensive lineman from Mobile who saw action in eight games a season ago. Swain is a freshman defensive back from Chipley, Fla.
Football Appreciation Night/Fan Day
The 2011 Troy Football Appreciation Night is scheduled for Saturday, August 20. The annual fund-raising event for the Trojans Football program will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for $125 per couple by calling 334-670-3683 or 334-670-3682.
The 2011 Fan Day is scheduled for Sunday, August 21, at 2 p.m. at Sartain Hall. Members of the football, volleyball, soccer and cross country teams will be on hand, along with the Troy cheerleaders, to pose for pictures and sign autographs. Admission to Fan Day is free and free hot dogs and soft drinks will be available for all fans, while supplies last.
100 Days Until Troy Football
Thursday, May 28
Goose Crowder - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Donnie Smith - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Gerad Parker - T-Day
Saturday, April 18