Troy Welcomes Texas State to The Vet for Homecoming

TROY, Ala. – Rat poison. That has been the week's theme for Troy head coach Jon Sumrall as his Trojans prepare for their Homecoming contest against Texas State on Saturday at The Vet. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN3.

Troy (4-2, 2-1 SBC) finds itself in a position where it hasn't been in several years. The Trojans enter the weekend winners of three straight games for the first time since 2018, but the message around the program has been loud and clear, stay the course.

"Another good challenge in this league," Sumrall said. "From top to bottom in this league, it's going to be a great challenge. This is not the same Sun Belt it was 10 years ago. We have to focus on the game. All the (Homecoming) festivities that go on around the game have zero effect on our preparation and us playing the game the right way. I really look forward to playing in The Vet again this week."

Despite holding an 11-1 all-time advantage in the series with Texas State (3-3, 1-1) and a 10-game winning streak, Troy is expecting a fight from the Bobcats following their stunning upset over App State last week. Texas State held the Mountaineers to just 41 rushing yards and forced a pair of turnovers in the 36-24 victory, which was a 30-3 Bobcat lead early in the third quarter.

For the Trojans, the defense has continued to play at a high level each of the past three weeks, allowing an average of 14.7 points per game against opponents who were averaging 38.7 points per game entering their matchup with Troy. A big reason behind Troy's success has been its ability to force negative plays – seven turnovers, 17 sacks and 29 tackles for loss in those three games.

Richard Jibunor has a sack-fumble in the fourth quarter in Troy's victories over Western Kentucky and Southern Miss, while T.J. Jackson is the only player in the country with at least 1.5 sacks in three games this season. Troy enters the weekend fourth nationally with 22 sacks and 13th with 12 turnovers gained.

The Trojans have not announced which quarterback will start on Saturday between Gunnar Watson and Jarret Doege. Watson suffered an injury late in Troy's win at WKU and missed last week's game.

Troy's passing attack continues to be strong, no matter who is in at quarterback, led by sophomore receiver Tez Johnson. He enters the weekend sixth nationally, averaging 10.6 yards after the catch and first averaging 4.38 yards per route run this season. According to Pro Football Focus, the Trojans rank eighth nationally and second in the Group of Five in passing offense.

For Texas State, Levi Bell is a difference-maker in the trenches. He ranks just behind Jackson with five sacks and nine tackles for loss this season; Jackson has 5.5 and 10, respectively.

Notable
• Troy has held four of its last five opponents to less than 100 yards rushing, and the one it didn't, App State, the Trojans held them below its current average. After allowing 266 rushing yards in the opener at Ole Miss (the nation's No. 7 rushing team), Troy has held its last five opponents to 85.4 yards per game and 2.48 yards per carry, which would rank ninth and sixth nationally, respectively.

• Troy's offensive numbers are ticking in the right direction compared to 2021 - scoring +3.7, total +61.9, passing +77.5 and yards per play + 0.73.

• Opponents have scored on just three drives following a Troy score this season (3-of-23) ... the 13.0 percent is well below the national average of 31.4 percent.

• Troy has improved its second half adjustments from a season ago; the Trojans were -4.33 in the second half per game last year and -3.42 in the third quarter. Through six games this year, Troy is +4.17 in the third quarter and +5.00 in the second half.

• Troy recorded multiple sacks in 10-of-12 games last season ... this was tied for the 13th-most nationally. The Trojans have multiple sacks in 4-of-6 games this season and four or more sacks in four games, which is tied for second nationally behind USC (4).

• Troy ranks 18th nationally with 64.7 percent of its touchdowns (11-of-17) covering 10 or more yards ... 13th among teams with at least 15 touchdowns.

• Troy has allowed 189.5 yards in its two Sun Belt Conference home games; the Trojans held Marshall to 174 yards and Southern Miss to 210.

Troy Welcomes Texas State to The Vet for Homecoming

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Players Mentioned

Jarret Doege

T.J. Jackson

Richard Jibunor

Tez Johnson

Gunnar Watson

Troy University Athletics