Troy Back on National Stage Saturday at No. 18 BYU

TROY, Ala. – Troy's long-awaited 2020 debut couldn't have been scripted much better with a 33-point thrashing of rival Middle Tennessee in front of a national television audience. The Trojans will try and write the sequel Saturday night at No. 18 BYU again in front of the ESPN cameras; kickoff is set for 9:15 p.m. (CT).

"We're really excited to have gotten off to a great start last Saturday," head coach Chip Lindsey said at his weekly press conference. "That might have been the most complete game we have played in all three phases since I got here. We played really good team football and played off each other which is always important."

The Trojans (1-0) forced three turnovers, which they turned into 17 points, recorded a safety and were off the field with a three-and-out on 42 percent of Middle Tennessee's drives last week – a big shot in the arm for a defense that was tested last season.

"Defensively we played fast and physical and created turnovers which is always important," Lindsey said. "I'm really pleased with the effort on that side. [Defensive coordinator] Brandon Hall and his staff put together a good plan. We only gave up three explosive plays and only one was against our starting defense. Our defensive backs played with confidence and our new additions made a huge impact."

Terence Dunlap intercepted a pair of passes in his first action since 2018 and former walk-on Craig Slocum was named to the Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week after a pick and solid coverage throughout the game.

The Troy offense didn't skip a beat despite a new signal caller and three starters in the trenches. The Trojans piled up 496 yards, four additional yards would have marked the sixth 500-yard game under Lindsey, while the 47 points were the most against an FBS team in a season opener in school history.

Gunnar Watson was as advertised at quarterback completing 26-of-37 passes for 248 yards and a pair of scores despite only attempting three passes in the second half. Troy went six deep at running back highlighted by the return of B.J. Smith, who finished with 100 all-purpose yards, while Khalil McClain caught a pair of touchdown passes to pace the Trojan receivers.

Know Your Foe
No. 18 BYU hasn't played since Sept. 5 but its one performance was an impressive with the Cougars systematically dispatching of Navy, 55-3. BYU outgained the Midshipmen 580-149 in the game and held Navy's explosive rushing attack to just three yards per carry.

The Cougars are led by an experienced offensive line that has combined for 120 career starts in front of junior quarterback Zach Wilson who made his 10^th career start. Defensively, BYU is led by linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi and nose tackle Khyiris Tonga.

Quotable – Head Coach Chip Lindsey
"We talked all week about being the most excited team to play and bringing the energy, and our guys did that (at Middle Tennessee). Our team was ready to go, and it showed."

Notable
• Troy has two former walk-ons starting on its defense and both are making huge impacts ... Carlton Martial is a two-time All-American at linebacker and Craig Slocum was named to the Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week following his first career start this past weekend

• Troy has scored 40-plus points six times since the start of the 2019 season which ranks as the 11th most in the country.

• After intercepting three passes at Middle Tennessee last week, Troy has intercepted 71 passes since the start of the 2016 season – the second most in the country – and has forced 106 turnovers – also the second most in the country.

• Gunnar Watson became the first Troy quarterback to win his first start since Corey Robinson in 2010.

Troy Back on National Stage Saturday at No. 18 BYU

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Players Mentioned

Terence Dunlap

Carlton Martial

Khalil McClain

Craig Slocum Jr.

B.J. Smith

Gunnar Watson

Troy University Athletics