Troy is ranked No. 69, Trojans eye return to top of Sun Belt
Jun 17, 2014 5:00:16 GMT -6
jgaddy likes this
Post by Trojan Warrior on Jun 17, 2014 5:00:16 GMT -6
No. 69: Troy Trojans
Coach: Larry Blakeney (175-104-1, entering 24th season; 175-104-1 overall)
2013 record: 6-6 (4-3 in Sun Belt, third in Sun Belt)
Pictures: Stanley Cup Finals
Look back: It was an up-and-down season for Troy, disappointing a team that has won five Sun Belt titles and is always eager to finish at the top of the league standings.
Turnovers and penalties caused big headaches for the Trojans in Sun Belt play.
After earning victories over UAB and Savannah State to start the season, the team dropped three straight road games against Arkansas State, Mississippi State and Duke. The Trojans seemed to have found their footing during a three-game win streak, but they followed that up with three more losses — including two in Sun Belt play to Louisiana-Monroe and Louisiana-Lafayette.
Troy closed out the season with a 42-28 win over Texas State, posting a 6-6 record and clinching bowl eligibility. However, the Sun Belt did not have enough postseason bids for all its teams and the Trojans did not play in a bowl game despite placing third in the league standings.
The postseason shutout was a reminder how little room for error Troy has in order to earn a bowl bid.
Offensive starters returning: 8
Offensive starters lost: 3
Defensive starters returning: 7
Defensive starters lost: 4
Key losses: QB Corey Robinson, QB Deon Anthony, WR Eric Thomas, DB Camren Hudson, OL Evan McKissack, DL Antonio Gillespie, K/P Will Scott
Top returnees: WR Bryan Holmes, RB Brandon Burks, RB Jordan Chunn, WR Chandler Worthy, OL Terrence Jones, OL Ethan Hutson, DL Tyler Roberts, DL Lonnie Gosha, LB Mark Wilson, PR Bryan Holmes
Strengths: Troy's most experienced unit is the offensive line, with veterans Terrence Jones and Ethan Hutson anchoring the group.
The help up front should be good news for the rotation of running backs, with experienced Brandon Burks and Jordan Chunn headlining the unit. They have the potential to rack up a lot of yards and help whoever wins the starting quarterback job. The receiver group also should assist the signalcallers, with Bryan Holmes, Chandler Worthy, B.J. Chitty and K.D. Edenfield all serving as potential playmakers.
The linebackers will likely be the strength of the defense, with Mark Wilson leading the group.
Weaknesses: Troy has to offset the loss of one of the most prolific offensive players of the past four years following the departure of quarterback Corey Robinson. He became the fifth player in FBS history to record at least 3,000 yards of total offense in four consecutive seasons. Junior-college transfer Dontreal Pruitt and redshirt freshman Brandon Silvers are the top contenders to replace Robinson.
The team also has to replace the core of its defensive line. The defense has a lot of room for improvement, as it ranked No. 120 nationally out of 123 NCAA-recognized teams last season in total defense (483.2 yards allowed per game). (Source)
Coach: Larry Blakeney (175-104-1, entering 24th season; 175-104-1 overall)
2013 record: 6-6 (4-3 in Sun Belt, third in Sun Belt)
Pictures: Stanley Cup Finals
Look back: It was an up-and-down season for Troy, disappointing a team that has won five Sun Belt titles and is always eager to finish at the top of the league standings.
Turnovers and penalties caused big headaches for the Trojans in Sun Belt play.
After earning victories over UAB and Savannah State to start the season, the team dropped three straight road games against Arkansas State, Mississippi State and Duke. The Trojans seemed to have found their footing during a three-game win streak, but they followed that up with three more losses — including two in Sun Belt play to Louisiana-Monroe and Louisiana-Lafayette.
Troy closed out the season with a 42-28 win over Texas State, posting a 6-6 record and clinching bowl eligibility. However, the Sun Belt did not have enough postseason bids for all its teams and the Trojans did not play in a bowl game despite placing third in the league standings.
The postseason shutout was a reminder how little room for error Troy has in order to earn a bowl bid.
Offensive starters returning: 8
Offensive starters lost: 3
Defensive starters returning: 7
Defensive starters lost: 4
Key losses: QB Corey Robinson, QB Deon Anthony, WR Eric Thomas, DB Camren Hudson, OL Evan McKissack, DL Antonio Gillespie, K/P Will Scott
Top returnees: WR Bryan Holmes, RB Brandon Burks, RB Jordan Chunn, WR Chandler Worthy, OL Terrence Jones, OL Ethan Hutson, DL Tyler Roberts, DL Lonnie Gosha, LB Mark Wilson, PR Bryan Holmes
Strengths: Troy's most experienced unit is the offensive line, with veterans Terrence Jones and Ethan Hutson anchoring the group.
The help up front should be good news for the rotation of running backs, with experienced Brandon Burks and Jordan Chunn headlining the unit. They have the potential to rack up a lot of yards and help whoever wins the starting quarterback job. The receiver group also should assist the signalcallers, with Bryan Holmes, Chandler Worthy, B.J. Chitty and K.D. Edenfield all serving as potential playmakers.
The linebackers will likely be the strength of the defense, with Mark Wilson leading the group.
Weaknesses: Troy has to offset the loss of one of the most prolific offensive players of the past four years following the departure of quarterback Corey Robinson. He became the fifth player in FBS history to record at least 3,000 yards of total offense in four consecutive seasons. Junior-college transfer Dontreal Pruitt and redshirt freshman Brandon Silvers are the top contenders to replace Robinson.
The team also has to replace the core of its defensive line. The defense has a lot of room for improvement, as it ranked No. 120 nationally out of 123 NCAA-recognized teams last season in total defense (483.2 yards allowed per game). (Source)