Troy University Athletics
Column: Anthony Steps Up in Time of Need
10/11/2012 11:45:00 PM | Football
In football, one thing is for certain: injuries are a part of the game. Granted, some are more devastating than others. The trick to staving off the damage done from the loss of a key player, however, is having a capable backup that can embrace the “next man up” philosophy and ensure that the team doesn't miss a beat.
Troy's starting quarterback Corey Robinson was injured on the final play of the first half which thrust Deon Anthony into the starting role for the remainder of the game.
“When one man goes down they have enough faith in me to win the game. I was a little bit nervous but once I got out there that first drive, the team was behind me 100 percent,” Anthony said.
He was more prepared than most for the call to action, and according to his teammates, he responded admirably.
“Deon came in and played really well. He came out and we kept fighting. He did really well,” Troy wide receiver Eric Thomas said.
Troy receiver Chip Reeves had similar praise for Anthony, saying that the team felt that there would be no dropoff in production with Anthony under center.
“We all believe in Deon. We practice as much with him as we do with Corey. We still had a chance to win,” Reeves said. “You see him run the offense and we still had a chance to win. He can run the offense just as good as anybody. ”
As Anthony filled in for Robinson, the Trojan faithful, as well as those who may be counting on him to lead, saw glimpses of what could be a bright future.. Conjuring up memories of one of the most productive signal-callers in Troy history, Omar Haugabook, Anthony was more than solid in his first dose of extended game action. He completed 9-of-16 passes for 147 yards, including a daring toss into double coverage which turned into a highlight juggle and catch by Thomas for a score. Anthony was also a factor on the ground, chipping in 26 yards. Anthony noted that he grew calmer as the game went.
“When I got in the game it was kind of easy. In the second half, because I had a few plays and I got a little bit of the flow of the game, they did a good job of adjusting. The team, we did a good job,” Anthony said.
Things like that have to ease concerns of the fans. While the Anthony-led effort was valiant, the fact is that tonight's result was indeed a growing pain but those aches won't last long. Why? Well it's simple really. The man that almost led Troy to what would have been a dramatic comeback victory probably hasn't scratched the surface of what he's capable of on the gridiron.
Tonight, Troy should have seen enough to know that if Anthony must direct the offense for a game or two, then that potential may very well be realized. And should that come to pass, then the rest of the Trojans' Sun Belt foes might find themselves in for a rude awakening.
Troy's starting quarterback Corey Robinson was injured on the final play of the first half which thrust Deon Anthony into the starting role for the remainder of the game.
“When one man goes down they have enough faith in me to win the game. I was a little bit nervous but once I got out there that first drive, the team was behind me 100 percent,” Anthony said.
He was more prepared than most for the call to action, and according to his teammates, he responded admirably.
“Deon came in and played really well. He came out and we kept fighting. He did really well,” Troy wide receiver Eric Thomas said.
Troy receiver Chip Reeves had similar praise for Anthony, saying that the team felt that there would be no dropoff in production with Anthony under center.
“We all believe in Deon. We practice as much with him as we do with Corey. We still had a chance to win,” Reeves said. “You see him run the offense and we still had a chance to win. He can run the offense just as good as anybody. ”
As Anthony filled in for Robinson, the Trojan faithful, as well as those who may be counting on him to lead, saw glimpses of what could be a bright future.. Conjuring up memories of one of the most productive signal-callers in Troy history, Omar Haugabook, Anthony was more than solid in his first dose of extended game action. He completed 9-of-16 passes for 147 yards, including a daring toss into double coverage which turned into a highlight juggle and catch by Thomas for a score. Anthony was also a factor on the ground, chipping in 26 yards. Anthony noted that he grew calmer as the game went.
“When I got in the game it was kind of easy. In the second half, because I had a few plays and I got a little bit of the flow of the game, they did a good job of adjusting. The team, we did a good job,” Anthony said.
Things like that have to ease concerns of the fans. While the Anthony-led effort was valiant, the fact is that tonight's result was indeed a growing pain but those aches won't last long. Why? Well it's simple really. The man that almost led Troy to what would have been a dramatic comeback victory probably hasn't scratched the surface of what he's capable of on the gridiron.
Tonight, Troy should have seen enough to know that if Anthony must direct the offense for a game or two, then that potential may very well be realized. And should that come to pass, then the rest of the Trojans' Sun Belt foes might find themselves in for a rude awakening.
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