Trojans Focused on Looking Forward, Not Back

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It would be natural to take time to look back this week as the Troy University Trojans prepare to face in-state rival UAB this weekend.

The Trojans and Blazers will meet for just the ninth time on Saturday at Larry Blakeney Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be televised by SportSouth.

As difficult as the one-point, last-second, loss to UAB was to swallow last year, it would be just as easy to use the controversial ending of that game at Legion Field to provide extra motivation.

But the Trojans have no interest in looking back.

“I've talked to our guys and we are not going to be into talking about the end of the game or the last play of the game,” Blakeney said. “The outcome was that they beat us. That is what we are going to try to use as motivation for preparation.

“I'll never take anything away from that group of players and coaches that got the ball on their on one-yard line and drove it to the middle of the field and had a chance to throw it up. It's another year. Hopefully we can change the outcome.”

The Trojans (1-2) have too much on their current plate to think about something that happened a year ago. Even with the victory over Middle Tennessee last weekend, Troy has continued to be burned by big plays on defense, and has yet to put together a complete game on offense.

Through three games, the Trojans have already allowed 12 plays of at least 30 yards, with 11 of the 12 coming on pass plays. Nine of those big plays have gone for touchdowns. Without those plays, either game could have easily have turned out differently.

“A big play is something we have got to get corrected,” senior defensive back LaDarrius Madden said. “It's not an individual, it's a team. Once we get that big play turned around, mistakes and mental breakdowns, the whole defense itself will be better. We've got to work on tackling. Last week we did a poor job on tackling.”

Sophomore Chris Pickett, who was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the win over Middle Tennessee, said missed assignments are the primary cause of all the big plays.

“Missed assignments and blown coverages,” Pickett said. “We need to go out there and stop them early. Everybody has to be in the right spot. If one person is not doing their job, then we will give up big plays. Every big play they had last game, they scored a touchdown. The five touchdowns were pretty much five missed assignments.”

Coach Blakeney said he has a solution to stopping the big plays, but he's not sure he can get away with it.

“Maybe they'll let us play with 12 on defense,” Blakeney said. “You've got to be able to play man coverage and you've got to be able to play zone coverage. You've got to know who your man is and when you play zone coverage you got to know when a guy gets close to you need to hug up to him so you can make a play on demand. You've got to be a smart player, you've got to understand the coverage, you got to understand a lot on defense.”

Offensively, the Trojans are still going through a growth process, particularly with the cast of young receivers. Quarterback Corey Robinson has connected with 17 different receivers through three games and is averaging better than 325 yards per game through the air with seven touchdowns. The offense has been boosted in each of the last two games by a defensive touchdown, but Robinson said that keeping the defense off the field with some sustained offense will help them as much as anything.

“We are still trying to get in synch with those young guys, “ Robinson said. “Hopefully we'll start clicking.”

For Coach Blakeney, the annual game with UAB is always tough because he has such a close relationship with UAB head coach Neil Callaway. The duo coached side-by-side for more than a decade at Auburn.

“I am looking forward to the game this week, but I am not necessarily looking forward to facing UAB because I do have some very close friends over there,” Blakeney said.

“I know it's important to our folks, our administration, important especially to folk that live anywhere around here. Any time you play an instate game its important. We have taken pride in playing folks inside the state of Alabama. It is vitally important to put your best foot forward when you are playing somebody that you are going to recruit against.”

One thing Coach Blakeney did look back on fondly was the Trojan Walk prior to the opening game against Middle Tennessee. He was excited by the response the team received from the students and alumni and is excited to see the tradition continue to grow.

“I think Trojan Walk was the best it's ever been,” Blakeney said. “We've gotten total commitment from the student body, and that makes it special for players.”

Trojan Walk is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. this Saturday and will wind from outside Sartain Hall and through Tailgate Terrace into the Stadium.

Troy University Athletics

Trojans Focused on Looking Forward, Not Back

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