Troy University Athletics
NOTEBOOK - Tez Johnson Putting Up Historic Numbers
10/17/2021 9:29:00 AM | Football
Troy receiver Tez Johnson had nine pass receptions Saturday against Texas State to increase his season total to 45.
That's the third most for a Trojan since at least 2000 through the first seven games of a season, trailing Gary Banks, who had 50 receptions at that point in 2006, and Jerrel Jernigan, who had 48 in 2008.
Johnson's 33-yard touchdown pass from Gunnar Watson was the quarterback's longest pass of the season and Johnson's second-longest reception. It was his longest career touchdown catch and the second of his career. He finished with a team-high 81 yards receiving.
"We've done a better job of getting him some more touches, and he's made the plays when he gets the chance," Troy head coach Chip Lindsey said of Johnson's production. "Between him and Reggie (Todd) we've got to make sure we get their share."
Todd moved into 18th place in Troy history with 104 receptions after pulling down three receptions for 26 yards against Texas State.
Out of the blocks: Troy scored on its opening possession of the game when Brooks Buce kicked a 34-yard field goal. It was the Trojans' fourth time in seven games that Troy has scored on its opening drive. It also marked the first time since the opener they have scored on their first two possessions.
Long run: Kimani Vidal's 45-yard touchdown in the first quarter was the Trojans' longest rush from scrimmage this season. It was Vidal's third rushing TD of the season and the seven of his career. He also finished with a career-high 162 yards on 25 carries. It was his third 100-yard rushing game, and two have come against Texas State. He also had his first multiple-rushing TD game of his college career.
Cashing in: Troy turned four Texas State turnovers into 14 points on Saturday, including Keyshawn Swanson's go-ahead touchdown return of an interception with 8:18 remaining. The Trojans did not have a turnover in the game.
Tight ends open: Troy tight ends combined for five catches on five targets against the Bobcats. A.J. Lewis had three catches for 16 yards, and Deyunkrea Lewis added two catches for 30 yards, including a 23-yarder that set up a touchdown. They have 18 catches on 19 targets this season. In the last seven seasons combined, Troy tight ends have 12 receptions on 18 targets.
Making his mark: Richard Jibunor had two sacks in the game and has recorded at least one sack in five straight games. He is just the fourth player in Sun Belt history to reach the eight-sack mark by the seventh game of the season – joining Alex Carrington of Arkansas State in 2008; Jamari Lattimore of Middle Tennessee in 2010 and Ja'Von Rolland-Jones of Arkansas State in 2017.
Martial law: Troy linebacker Carlton Martial had 18 tackles Saturday, his 15th career game with 10 or more tackles. That is the second-most tackles in a game he's posted, behind only the 21 he recorded against Coastal Carolina last season. He passed Naazir Yamini and moved into fourth place on the school's career tackles list with 380.
Martial also recorded two tackles for loss to move his career total to 46, fourth most in Sun Belt history.
Sacked and stingy: Troy recorded four sacks in the game. Troy entered the weekend leading the country averaging 4.5 sacks per game.
The Trojans also intercepted three passes in the game after entering the week third nationally with 85 interceptions since the start of the 2016 season. This was Troy's third game this season with three or more interceptions. Only Iowa had more than two games with 3-plus interceptions heading into the weekend.
Troy held Texas State to just 91 rushing yards in the game. The Trojans are 10-0 under Chip Lindsey and Brandon Hall when holding teams to less than 100 yards rushing. It was the fourth time this season that Troy has held its opponent under the century mark, which is tied for the eighth most in Troy's FBS history.
Texas State series: Troy now leads the series 11-1 and has won 10 straight games against Texas State.
In fact, both universities had different names when the Bobcats last won in 1997. Troy was still Troy State and Texas State was still Southwest Texas State.
The Trojans have won seven straight games in the state of Texas dating back to the 2005 season – North Texas 4, Texas State 3.
What's next: Troy comes into its open date at an ideal time. Players will use the time to heal up a bit and coaches will try to take advantage of the opportunity to evaluate the team.
"I think it's an opportunity for us to evaluate ourselves, kind of self-scout it," head coach Chip Lindsey said. "Also, get a little healthier and keep getting better because the road gets tougher when we come back."
Troy returns to action on Thursday, Oct. 28, at nationally ranked and undefeated Coastal Carolina. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The Trojans' next home game is Nov. 6 against rival South Alabama. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
That's the third most for a Trojan since at least 2000 through the first seven games of a season, trailing Gary Banks, who had 50 receptions at that point in 2006, and Jerrel Jernigan, who had 48 in 2008.
Johnson's 33-yard touchdown pass from Gunnar Watson was the quarterback's longest pass of the season and Johnson's second-longest reception. It was his longest career touchdown catch and the second of his career. He finished with a team-high 81 yards receiving.
"We've done a better job of getting him some more touches, and he's made the plays when he gets the chance," Troy head coach Chip Lindsey said of Johnson's production. "Between him and Reggie (Todd) we've got to make sure we get their share."
Todd moved into 18th place in Troy history with 104 receptions after pulling down three receptions for 26 yards against Texas State.
Out of the blocks: Troy scored on its opening possession of the game when Brooks Buce kicked a 34-yard field goal. It was the Trojans' fourth time in seven games that Troy has scored on its opening drive. It also marked the first time since the opener they have scored on their first two possessions.
Long run: Kimani Vidal's 45-yard touchdown in the first quarter was the Trojans' longest rush from scrimmage this season. It was Vidal's third rushing TD of the season and the seven of his career. He also finished with a career-high 162 yards on 25 carries. It was his third 100-yard rushing game, and two have come against Texas State. He also had his first multiple-rushing TD game of his college career.
Cashing in: Troy turned four Texas State turnovers into 14 points on Saturday, including Keyshawn Swanson's go-ahead touchdown return of an interception with 8:18 remaining. The Trojans did not have a turnover in the game.
Tight ends open: Troy tight ends combined for five catches on five targets against the Bobcats. A.J. Lewis had three catches for 16 yards, and Deyunkrea Lewis added two catches for 30 yards, including a 23-yarder that set up a touchdown. They have 18 catches on 19 targets this season. In the last seven seasons combined, Troy tight ends have 12 receptions on 18 targets.
Making his mark: Richard Jibunor had two sacks in the game and has recorded at least one sack in five straight games. He is just the fourth player in Sun Belt history to reach the eight-sack mark by the seventh game of the season – joining Alex Carrington of Arkansas State in 2008; Jamari Lattimore of Middle Tennessee in 2010 and Ja'Von Rolland-Jones of Arkansas State in 2017.
Martial law: Troy linebacker Carlton Martial had 18 tackles Saturday, his 15th career game with 10 or more tackles. That is the second-most tackles in a game he's posted, behind only the 21 he recorded against Coastal Carolina last season. He passed Naazir Yamini and moved into fourth place on the school's career tackles list with 380.
Martial also recorded two tackles for loss to move his career total to 46, fourth most in Sun Belt history.
Sacked and stingy: Troy recorded four sacks in the game. Troy entered the weekend leading the country averaging 4.5 sacks per game.
The Trojans also intercepted three passes in the game after entering the week third nationally with 85 interceptions since the start of the 2016 season. This was Troy's third game this season with three or more interceptions. Only Iowa had more than two games with 3-plus interceptions heading into the weekend.
Troy held Texas State to just 91 rushing yards in the game. The Trojans are 10-0 under Chip Lindsey and Brandon Hall when holding teams to less than 100 yards rushing. It was the fourth time this season that Troy has held its opponent under the century mark, which is tied for the eighth most in Troy's FBS history.
Texas State series: Troy now leads the series 11-1 and has won 10 straight games against Texas State.
In fact, both universities had different names when the Bobcats last won in 1997. Troy was still Troy State and Texas State was still Southwest Texas State.
The Trojans have won seven straight games in the state of Texas dating back to the 2005 season – North Texas 4, Texas State 3.
What's next: Troy comes into its open date at an ideal time. Players will use the time to heal up a bit and coaches will try to take advantage of the opportunity to evaluate the team.
"I think it's an opportunity for us to evaluate ourselves, kind of self-scout it," head coach Chip Lindsey said. "Also, get a little healthier and keep getting better because the road gets tougher when we come back."
Troy returns to action on Thursday, Oct. 28, at nationally ranked and undefeated Coastal Carolina. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The Trojans' next home game is Nov. 6 against rival South Alabama. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
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