The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – Troy – INSIDE SLANT
Troy rebounded in a big way after its disappointing loss to Tennessee, jumping out to a 21-0 lead and holding on to beat Navy 41-31. The win improved Troy to 5-5 on the season.
Troy took a 21-0 lead early, getting a 34-yard touchdown pass from Deon Anthony to Chandler Worthy, a 6-yard touchdown run by Shawn Southward and a 62-yard touchdown pass from Corey Robinson to B.J. Chitty.
Anthony scored on a 44-yard run in the second quarter to give Troy a 28-14 lead. In the second half, Will Scott kicked two field goals and Anthony scored on a 4-yard run.
Troy outgained Navy 597-487. Troy had more than 700 yards of offense last week and kept up the strong attack.
“Our offense, I thought we could score a lot of points and we wound up scoring enough,” Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said. “If we would have gotten into much more of a shootout, it could have gone into their favor.”
Troy had 415 yards passing, as Corey Robinson had 322 and Deon Anthony had 93. The two have rotated successfully during the season.
“I like having the capability of putting another quarterback out there that is a Wildcat guy but can throw it,” Blakeney said. “You basically have to have two plans for the quarterback position because they know Deon can pull it down and run or throw.”
Troy needs one more win to get bowl eligible. The Trojans host Arkansas State next week and travel to Middle Tennessee to close the season.
“I told them today, and yesterday we can beat anybody left on our schedule and go to a bowl,” Blakeney said. “If we get six, we can go somewhere. If we get seven, it will be a little bit better.”
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NCAAF Team Report – Troy – NOTES, QUOTES
WHAT’S AHEAD: At 5-5, Troy needs one win to become bowl eligible, but it’ll be tough against Sun Belt leader Arkansas State and surging Middle Tennessee. Troy hosts Arkansas State in next Saturday’s Homecoming and home finale.
–Navy became the first Service Academy to play a game in Veterans Memorial Stadium and the contest took place on the 237th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
–Deon Anthony’s 44yard touchdown rush was the longest rushing touchdown of the season for Troy and was a career best. The rush was the second longest rush of the season for Troy.
–Troy shut out its opponent in the first quarter for the first time since the season opener against UAB.
–Freshman receiver K.D. Edenfield spent the entire week of practice last week serving as Navy’s quarterback on the scout team.
KEEP AN EYE ON: DT Xavier Melton — Melton, a junior college transfer brought in to be a big force, finally got his first sack of the season. Melton hasn’t played as much as coaches had hoped, but now looks to be grasping the defense.
LOOKING GOOD: Troy’s two-quarterback system was dynamic. Starter Corey Robinson went 25 of 28 for 322 yards and a touchdown and Deon Anthony went 9 of 12 for 93 yards and a score, and Anthony ran for 56 yards and two touchdowns.
STILL NEEDS WORK: It’s hard to be too hard on Troy’s defense, as it gave up just 487 to Navy after giving up more than 700 to Tennessee last week. The Trojans are making strides but still need to improve.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “The next two games mean a lot. We need to win them so we can get a spot and go to a bowl that we want to go to and not just get thrown in one.” — Troy wide receiver Chip Reeves
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NCAAF Team Report – Troy – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
PLAYER NOTES:
–Running back D.J. Taylor ran for a career-best 68 yards against Navy. He did it on 11 carries.
–Shawn Southward moved into sole possession of second place on Troy’s career touchdown records with 35.
–Will Scott made two field goals for the third straight game and the fourth time this season.
ROSTER REPORT
–Defensive tackle Shermane TeArt missed his fifth game because of a shoulder injury.
–Linebacker Kanorris Davis returned after missing two games with vision problems and had eight tackles.
–Offensive lineman Jimmie Arnold missed his third straight game with an ankle injury.
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