Troy Travels to Defending SBC Champion Louisiana for West Division Clash

TROY, Ala. – Following a 15-day layoff, Troy returns to the field Saturday for a matchup against four-time defending Sun Belt West Division champion Louisiana. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. from Cajun Field, and ESPN+ will broadcast the contest.

Troy (6-2, 4-1 SBC) has not taken the field since Oct. 20 when the Trojans knocked off South Alabama, 10-6, for their fifth straight win in the "Battle for the Belt." Not only did that victory solidify Troy's in-state bragging rights, but it also extended the Trojans' winning streak to five games dating back to a Hail Mary loss at App State and put them in control of their own destiny in the Sun Belt West.

New to the West Division, Troy has a half-game lead over South Alabama and Southern Miss (who still must play each other) and the tiebreaker over both teams. Louisiana, which has represented the West in all four SBC Championship Games, enters the weekend 4-4 overall and 2-3 in league play.

The Trojans head to Louisiana with one of the nation's best defenses in tow, especially in the month of October. Troy held opponents to just 57.25 rushing yards per game and 2.20 yards per carry (third best in the country), and a nation-leading one rushing touchdown in October. Opponents averaged just 305.8 yards per game and 14.3 points during the month.

In Troy's five Sun Belt games, the defense is holding opponents to 276.6 yards per game and 13.8 points per game, the fourth fewest nationally in conference games. The Trojans have allowed just 141 points this season, the eighth fewest in Sun Belt history through eight games and third fewest in Troy's DI history.

Sophomore defensive end T.J. Jackson has been a breakout star for the Trojans as one of three players in the country with 1.5 sacks in three games. He enters the weekend third nationally with 13.0 tackles for loss and 16^th with 6.5 sacks. Senior linebacker Carlton Martial continues to run down history as he needs just 33 tackles to become the all-time leader in NCAA FBS history.

Offensively, the Trojans have had a knack for the big play. Thirteen of Troy's 20 offensive touchdowns have come on plays of 10 or more yards, the 14th-highest percentage in the country. Additionally, the Trojans rank sixth in the country with 19 passes of 30-plus yards this season.

Head coach Jon Sumrall has used both his quarterbacks interchangeably the last three weeks, and it will again be a game-time decision between Jarret Doege and Gunnar Watson.

Notable
• Troy has held six of its last seven 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. 3 rushing team), Troy has held its last five opponents to 77.7 yards per game and 2.46 yards per carry, which would rank third and second nationally, respectively. Troy is tied with Alabama, Georgia and Illinois for the most opponents held under 100 yards rushing this season.

• Opponents have scored on just four drives following a Troy score this season (4-of-29) ... the 13.8 percent is well below the national average of 31.4 percent.

• Troy has played some of the top defenses in the country this season ... Troy's FBS opponents (including Louisiana) average out to rank 36.5th in scoring defense, 37.9th in total defense, 39th in rush defense and 53.6th in passing defense.

• DK Billingley's 5-yard touchdown at South Alabama is only the fourth rushing touchdown allowed by the Jags this season and the only one since the second game of the season.

• Troy has allowed just three rushing touchdowns since the third game of the season; the fourth fewest nationally.

• 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 eight games this year, Troy is -0.25 in the third quarter and +3.75 in the second half.

• Tez Johnson is the nation's second-rated receiver per Pro Football Focus with an 89.2 receiver grade and second with an overall grade of 89.3. He averages 11.8 yards after the catch, which ranks second nationally, and he is first, averaging 4.11 yards per route run and sixth averaging 21.4 yards per catch.

• Troy ranks 11th nationally, holding opponents to just 4.00 points per game in the fourth quarter this season; the Trojans are 15th, allowing 8.63 second half points ... Troy allowed 14.42 points in the second half last season per game. Troy's 3.00 points allowed in the first quarter rank as the 11th fewest.

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Troy Travels to Defending SBC Champion Louisiana for West Division Clash

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