Sun Belt East Leaders Clash in Statesboro Saturday

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TROY, Ala. – Three weeks and three critical Sun Belt tests separate Troy from a date in the inaugural Sun Belt Conference Championship Game. The Trojans control their own destiny in the Sun Belt East Division but face a stiff road test on Saturday with a trip to Georgia Southern; kickoff is set for 12 p.m. (CT) and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Troy (7-2, 5-0 Sun Belt) enters the week as the lone unbeaten team in the Sun Belt but faces the toughest road to the title game with Saturday's game at Georgia Southern (7-2, 4-1), a Texas State team on a two-game winning streak at home and then a date with Appalachian State in Boone to close out the season.

"Huge divisional game for us and our guys are looking forward to it," Troy head coach Neal Brown said. "Last time we went over there under similar circumstances we didn't get it done, so our guys are looking forward to another opportunity. We control our own destiny in the conference, but we have to continue to fight for that each and every week. Champions are crowned in November. We won round one and we've got to continue to survive and advance."

The Trojans won their 11^thstraight Sun Belt Conference game with a 26-16 victory over Louisiana on Homecoming this past weekend. Troy limited the high-powered Cajun offense to a season-low 270 yards (Louisiana played at No. 1 Alabama) and Tyler Sumpter provided 14 of Troy's 26 points with a school-record tying four field goals and a pair of extra points.

"It was a good win on Saturday versus what I believe is a quality (Louisiana) team," Brown said. "Coach Napier and his staff are doing a great job there in year one and it was a tough fought victory for us."

Troy's strengths rose to the surface against Louisiana as the Trojan defense registered five sacks, 10 tackles for loss and forced a trio of Cajun turnovers. The Trojans rank fourth nationally in sacks on the season, sixth in tackles for loss and eighth in turnovers gained.

Tron Folsom recorded his second straight double-digit tackle game after returning from injury to lead a Troy defense that held Louisiana to just 16 points overall and three in the first half; ULL entered the game averaging 28.5 points in the first half of its previous four games.

The Trojans' rush defense, which ranks 26^thnationally allowing just 126.7 yards per game, will be put to the test against the Eagles' triple option attack that nets 260.4 yards per contest.

Running back B.J. Smith etched his name into Troy lore after rushing for 103 yards and a touchdown against the Cajuns; he is now the only player in school history to rush for more than 100 yards in five consecutive games.

Sawyer Smith has settled in the starting quarterback role with five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing) and a 71.1 completion percentage in his last two starts. His favorite target Damion Willis has put up some of the best numbers in the country the last two weeks with 345 receiving yards and three touchdowns; the receiving tally is the third most nationally.

Know Your Foe
Georgia Southern was the hottest team in the Sun Belt with five straight wins before being upended by ULM, 44-25, last weekend. The Eagles are dangerous at home with the second-highest home winning percentage among active stadiums across the country. Georgia Southern has posted a 192-39 in Paulson Stadium since its opening in 1984.

Between the lines, Georgia Southern features the nation's No. 8 rushing attack averaging 260.4 yards per game and boast the nation's top turnover margin at +2.22 per game.

Notable
• Troy has won six straight Sun Belt Conference road games and 19 of its last 22 overall league contests. The Trojans have played well away home winning eight of its last nine games on the road.

• Troy has won a combined 28 games over the last two-plus seasons (2016-18) which ranks as the eighth most nationally and tied for the most in the Group of Five (Boise State, San Diego State, South Florida).

• Troy has intercepted 51 passes over the last two-plus seasons which ranks as the second most nationally behind Wisconsin's 52. The Trojans are second nationally averaging 2.17 turnovers forced per game over the same time period.

Sun Belt East Leaders Clash in Statesboro Saturday

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Players Mentioned

Tron Folsom

B.J. Smith

Sawyer Smith

Tyler Sumpter

Damion Willis

Troy University Athletics