Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer
Troy Defense Showing Determination
10/18/2013 4:34:00 PM | Football
TROY, Ala. – Statistics can be a great gauge of how a team or a unit performs on the field. Stats reveal trends, tendencies, strengths and weaknesses. What statistics can't tell you, however, is the amount of heart a team has or their level of determination.
Troy defensive coordinator Wayne Bolt is proud of the way the Trojan defense has scrapped this season.
"We looked at the UAB game, the South Alabama game and the Georgia State game and in all three there was a big play that needed to be made and somebody found a way to make. We gave the team a chance to win," he said. "You've got to find ways to shut the other offense down. We didn't get it done at Duke and we didn't get it done at Mississippi State. Our kids are battling and working to be the one to make the big play when we need it."
Ranked seventh in the Sun Belt Conference in total defense, the Trojans have been forced to find different ways to slow down opposing offenses. Against Georgia State, Antonio Gillespie stepped up with two sacks to help kill two separate Panther drives. Later, safety Chris Pickett stepped in front of a Ronnie Bell pass in the fourth quarter to seal the game for the Trojans.
With preseason injuries slowing several players in the front seven that coaches were projecting to be contributors, Bolt has been pleased with the way others have stepped in and filled voids.
"Things happen during the course of a season, you need guys to step up and I think several of ours have," he said. "Every team in the country is working to get better and that's what we have to do, too."
Troy will take the weekend off from game action and will begin preparing for its Oct. 26 match with Western Kentucky on the road. Game time is set for 3p.m.
Troy defensive coordinator Wayne Bolt is proud of the way the Trojan defense has scrapped this season.
"We looked at the UAB game, the South Alabama game and the Georgia State game and in all three there was a big play that needed to be made and somebody found a way to make. We gave the team a chance to win," he said. "You've got to find ways to shut the other offense down. We didn't get it done at Duke and we didn't get it done at Mississippi State. Our kids are battling and working to be the one to make the big play when we need it."
Ranked seventh in the Sun Belt Conference in total defense, the Trojans have been forced to find different ways to slow down opposing offenses. Against Georgia State, Antonio Gillespie stepped up with two sacks to help kill two separate Panther drives. Later, safety Chris Pickett stepped in front of a Ronnie Bell pass in the fourth quarter to seal the game for the Trojans.
With preseason injuries slowing several players in the front seven that coaches were projecting to be contributors, Bolt has been pleased with the way others have stepped in and filled voids.
"Things happen during the course of a season, you need guys to step up and I think several of ours have," he said. "Every team in the country is working to get better and that's what we have to do, too."
Troy will take the weekend off from game action and will begin preparing for its Oct. 26 match with Western Kentucky on the road. Game time is set for 3p.m.
Goose Crowder - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Donnie Smith - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Gerad Parker - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Gerad Parker - April 16
Thursday, April 16