Offense |
Defense |
Depth Chart |
Further Analysis
The Trojan defense hasn't been a fluke over the last several years
getting predictably rocked, at least most of the time, by the big
names and coming down like a hammer against the mediocre. But the
Trojans haven't been able to find any semblance of consistent
offense over the last five years scoring in single digits a whopping
15 times since 2002.
The defense has had to carry things over the years, and when it
hasn't been able to get the job done, it means a loss. For example,
Troy is 0-13 since 2000 in games when the defense hasn't forced a
turnover. This season, the offense has the potential to give the D a
bit of a break.
It's no coincidence that the best offensive output in recent years
meant a bowl bid in 2004, and there's a chance for this year's
attack to be the best yet since the move to D-I with a wide open
offense that'll use four receiver sets as well as traditional
formations. The flexibility will play into the team's strength, wide
receiver, with several good veterans like Smokey Hampton and Gary
Banks who should shine with improved play at quarterback.
Head coach: Larry Blakeney
16th year: 119-60-1
Returning Lettermen:
Off. 27, Def. 23, ST 2
Lettermen Lost: 12 |
Ten
Best Troy Players
1. FS Sherrod Martin, Jr.
2. DE Kenny Mainor, Soph.
3. LB Marcus Richardson, Jr.
4. CB/KR Leodis McKelvin, Jr.
5. SS Brannon Condren, Sr.
6. WR Smokey Hampton, Sr.
7. RB Kenny Cattouse, Jr.
8. PK Greg Whibbs, Jr.
9. QB Omar Haugabook, Jr.
10. WR Gary Banks, Jr.
|
|
2006
Schedule
CFN
Prediction: coming |
| 9/2 |
Alabama State |
| 9/9 |
at Florida State |
| 9/17 |
at Georgia
Tech |
|
9/24 |
at Nebraska |
|
9/30 |
at UAB |
| 10/14 |
UL Monroe |
| 10/28 |
North Texas |
| 11/4 |
UL Lafayette |
| 11/11 |
at Florida Atlantic |
| 11/18 |
Arkansas State |
| 11/25 |
at MTSU |
| 12/2 |
at FIU |
|
|
2005
Schedule
CFN
Prediction:
6-5
2005 Record: 4-7
Preview
2005 predicted wins
|
| 9/3 |
Cal Poly
W 27-10 |
| 9/10 |
UAB L 27-7 |
| 9/17 |
at Missouri L 52-21 |
| 9/24 |
at So Carolina L 45-20 |
| 10/4 |
at North Texas W 13-10 |
| 10/15 |
at
UL Monroe L 27-3 |
| 10/22 |
Florida Int'l
W 18-13 |
| 10/29 |
at UL Laf
L 31-28 OT |
| 11/5 |
Florida Atlantic
W 28-14 |
| 11/12 |
at Arkansas St
L 9-3 |
| 11/26 |
MTSU
L 17-7 |
|
Ah, quarterback. The team's Achilles
heel over the last few years with little to no consistency and always
lacking the type of playmaker who can carry the team to big things.
Welcome to the show, JUCO transfer Omar Hougabook. A good-sized passer
with a live arm, he should finally be the one to be good enough to get
the offense moving.
Of course, Troy will still be known for its defense. It'll be among the
best in the Sun Belt despite some key losses and a big hope for several
decent prospects to turn into stars. Safeties Sherrod Martin and Brannon
Condren are among the best in a big year for Sun Belt safeties. Kenny
Mainor is on the verge of huge things as a speed rushing end, and
lightning fast outside linebacker Marcus Richardson should become a
killer. Add to the mix a great return game and above-average kicking
game and Troy will be one of the conference favorites.
After looking like the potential dominator in the Sun Belt, Troy has to
prove that last season's setback was a fluke. The conference is better
from top to bottom, but if the offense can generate a bit more
production, the Trojans could finally pull off a conference title.
The Schedule:
As always, there's a nice, long road trip to start the
season with four straight away games after playing Alabama State.
Fortunately, the biggest Sun Belt games are at home facing UL
Monroe, North Texas and UL Lafayette in the first three conference
battles and with Arkansas State down the road. If Troy believes it's
good enough to win the title, it has to beat teams like Florida
Atlantic, MTSU and FIU away from home.
Best
Offensive Player: Senior WR Smokey Hampton. This could quickly
change if QB Omar Haugebook is as good as advertised or if RB Kenny
Cattouse has a breakout season. Hampton is a solid veteran with good
deep speed on the X. If he has a huge year, chances are the offense
will be far, far better.
Best
Defensive Player: Junior FS Sherrod Martin.
He does a little of everything well finishing second on the team in
tackles while also making play after play after play against the
pass. He's a tough hitter and will be the star of the defense until
all the new starters get their feet wet.
Key
player to a successful season: Junior QB Omar Haugabook. If the
JUCO transfer is awful, that means it's back to the rotation of
Julian Foster, Carl Meadows, and Larry Dockery. The team can't
survive another year without good, steady quarterback play.
The
season will be a success if ... Troy wins the Sun Belt title.
Just about every team is coming into the season thinking it can be
the Sun Belt champs, but Troy really has a shot if the offense is a
little better and with the favorable conference schedule.
Key
game: November 25th at MTSU. Troy hasn't been a rock at home in
Sun Belt play, but if it can just hold serve at home and come up
with a win at MTSU, the trip to the New Orleans Bowl will soon
follow.
2005
Fun Stats:
- Sacks: Opponents 38 for 245 yards - Troy 17 for 132 yards
- Interceptions: Opponents 14 for 124 yards - Troy 5 for 18 yards
- Troy points in the win over Cal Poly: 27 - Troy average score in
the other ten games: 14.8
The Last Time Troy…
…played in a bowl game…2004 (Silicon Valley Bowl vs. Northern
Illinois)
…missed a bowl game…2005
…pitched a shutout…2003 (Southeastern Louisiana)
…was shutout…2003 (North Texas)
…scored 50 points…2001 (Middle Tennessee State)
…went undefeated…1912
…won a conference title…2000 (Southland)
…had a 3,000-yard passer…1968 (Sim Byrd)
…had a 1,000-yard rusher…2004 (DeWhitt Betterson)
…had a 1,000-yard receiver…1984 (Rufus Cox)
…had a first-round draft choice…2005 (DE Demarcus Ware)
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