Johnson's Journal - Veteran Troy Front Sets the Stage for Championship Clash at JMU

A Troy defensive front chocked full of veterans has helped pave the way to a matchup at James Madison on Friday night in the Sun Belt Conference Championship Game.
Kickoff is set for 6 pm (CT) at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Va., and the game will be televised by ESPN.

"The D-line definitely plays a big part," senior spear linebacker Devin Lafayette said of this year's success. "That was something last year we kind of lacked a little bit.

"We've got the leadership in the D-line room, and honestly, they have just been doing their job these last couple of games. I really appreciate those boys in the trenches."

Sixth-year senior Luis Medina, a 6-foot-1, 305-pound bruising nose tackle, is among those who have made it tough for opponents to move the ball.

"Just having an older group in the room, man, we can do a lot of things, you know?" Medina said. "Last year we were kind of young, and things weren't playing out like they should have been, and just having the older guys in the room opened up the playbook for us to do what we do."

One of the players who has been a terror is junior college transfer Donnie Smith, a bandit who has accumulated a team-high nine sacks, which also leads the Sun Belt.

"We've had great success at generating pass rush and putting guys like Donnie Smith in a position to do what he does best, which is rush the passer and put stress on the edges and protection," Troy head coach Gerad Parker said.

"Donnie has done that better than anybody in our conference, I believe, in leading in sacks and creating pressures, and it's something that will be pivotal in this game. A great junior college product we developed; he's come into his own and become a great player. We've put him in pretty good positions, and he's starting to let talent and genetics take over as well."

Among the most impressive stories of the unit has been the play of the Trojans' red zone defense, where Troy ranks 21st nationally.

"Situational game planning and the way we practice … I think both are a great cause of it," Parker said of the red zone efficiency.

"I think it's certainly going to be huge in this game. They're going to gain yards. It's what happens when you get in that box from the 25-yard line down is where a big part of the game is won or lost.

"So, we spend time on it through our hours late at night game planning; we spend time on it practicing so we are really good in situational football."

Tight-knit group
The leader of the defense, senior linebacker Jordan Stringer, points out the bond the unit has developed during its time together. Stringer leads the Trojans in tackles with 104.

"Our room has been together almost three years now, so we all have good bonds and all know how we play together," Stringer said. "So that's really just a testament to us growing our bond together and knowing we trust each other out there on that field."

It hasn't been all rosy by any means. The Trojans limped to a 4-8 record last year and struggled at times this season on both sides of the football, but have worked their way into the title game as the West Division champion with an 8-4 overall record and 6-2 conference mark.

"I've been part of the good rides, and we had a little down year last year," Stringer said. "It's football, you know? Everybody is going to have those ups and downs.

"Even last year, we were a couple games from being where we are right now. We're in a good spot right now. We've just got to keep working and trust the process."

The Trojans will take momentum into the game at James Madison following a 28-18 victory at Southern Miss last Saturday in what was a do-or-die game to represent the division in the championship game.

Stringer believes the pressure-filled scenario against Southern Miss may better prepare the team for what's ahead.

"That was definitely like a championship game … a battle for the West," Stringer said. "I think we still haven't seen our best yet, but I think that game right there was the best as a collective as far as the blend – offense, defense and special teams. I feel like we needed that game to show the guys that this is what it's going to take, plus more."

The challenge ahead
East Division champ James Madison (11-1, 8-0 SBC) is ranked No. 20 in the country and features a high-powered offense led by quarterback Alonza Barnett III, who has completed 183-of-297 passes for 2,440 yards and 20 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He has also rushed for 459 yards and 13 touchdowns on 103 carries.

"He's playing at a very high level," Parker said. "He's got fast hands, which is something I notice a lot out of quarterbacks on tape, of how he can get it out in a hurry, and he's accurate and doesn't turn the football over.

"His mobility brings another whole set of problems. You add that with great schemes and the way they put you in formations and lock you into things is why they've had the success they've had.

"It's keeping us up at night. It's a tremendous challenge for us to plan for and he's playing at an extremely high level."

The Dukes are led at running back by Wayne Knight, who has compiled 1,051 yards rushing on 169 attempts with eight touchdowns.

"He's very fast and can make you miss," Stringer said. "They like to get him in space a lot – he's definitely a playmaker.

"They're a well-coached team, man. Their offense is good – they've got a good quarterback, great running back, good receiver, O-line is very experienced. It's probably one of the best teams we have seen all year, so we've got to come out ready to play."

Troy University Athletics

Johnson's Journal - Veteran Troy Front Sets the Stage for Championship Clash at JMU

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Players Mentioned

Devin Lafayette

Luis Medina

Donnie Smith

Jordan Stringer

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