Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer
Troy Notebook: Gillespie, Defense Racking up Sacks
10/13/2013 3:07:00 PM | Football
Troy's defense recorded four sacks on Saturday against Georgia State, the most by the team since the 2010 New Orleans Bowl. Defensive tackle Antonio Gillespie accounted for two of those giving him three on the year.
The Trojans struggled to get to the quarterback last season but have vastly improved in that area this year. The team has 15 sacks on the season tying them for 29th nationally in the category. Troy had just 13 all of last season, which was 115th of 124 teams.
Gillespie picked up both of his sacks in the second quarter on Georgia State quarterback Ronnie Bell, the last stopped a Panther drive in Troy territory and helped the Trojans preserve a 14-7 lead heading into halftime.
Run, Troy, Run
The Trojans rushed the ball 59 times against Georgia State, the most since accumulating 64 rush attempts versus North Texas on Oct. 4, 2005. The stat comes from a team ranked seventh nationally in pass attempts in 2013.
Troy totaled 249 yards rushing against the Panthers.
Offensively, the Trojans ran 102 plays, most since running 102 against Louisiana-Lafayette in 2008.
Bringing the Payne
Defensive back Keion Payne led the Trojans in tackles on Saturday with eight, a career game high. Payne, a junior from Ft. Lauderdale Fla., now has 23 tackles on the season, good enough for fifth on the team. He also had a pass break up against Georgia State.
'Pickett'-ed Off
Safety Chris Pickett recorded his first career interception against Georgia State in the fourth quarter. The play came in the final four minutes of the contest and helped Troy hang on to win.
An excited Pickett said after the game his last interception came during his senior year of high school but remembers it well because he returned it for a touchdown.
The Trojans struggled to get to the quarterback last season but have vastly improved in that area this year. The team has 15 sacks on the season tying them for 29th nationally in the category. Troy had just 13 all of last season, which was 115th of 124 teams.
Gillespie picked up both of his sacks in the second quarter on Georgia State quarterback Ronnie Bell, the last stopped a Panther drive in Troy territory and helped the Trojans preserve a 14-7 lead heading into halftime.
Run, Troy, Run
The Trojans rushed the ball 59 times against Georgia State, the most since accumulating 64 rush attempts versus North Texas on Oct. 4, 2005. The stat comes from a team ranked seventh nationally in pass attempts in 2013.
Troy totaled 249 yards rushing against the Panthers.
Offensively, the Trojans ran 102 plays, most since running 102 against Louisiana-Lafayette in 2008.
Bringing the Payne
Defensive back Keion Payne led the Trojans in tackles on Saturday with eight, a career game high. Payne, a junior from Ft. Lauderdale Fla., now has 23 tackles on the season, good enough for fifth on the team. He also had a pass break up against Georgia State.
'Pickett'-ed Off
Safety Chris Pickett recorded his first career interception against Georgia State in the fourth quarter. The play came in the final four minutes of the contest and helped Troy hang on to win.
An excited Pickett said after the game his last interception came during his senior year of high school but remembers it well because he returned it for a touchdown.
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