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09-24-2005, 05:22 AM
Sports
Trojans hope to measure up
By Ken Rogers, The Messenger
There are a number of intriguing matchups for Troy University's game Saturday against South Carolina.
An exotic blitz package designed by co-defensive coordinators John Thompson and Tyrone Nix will test the Trojans' offensive line.
Carolina's offensive tackles, 6-foot-6 Jabari Levey, who is questionable with an injured ankle, and 6-5 Na'shan Goddard are big bodies who will challenge Troy's quick defensive front.
Gamecocks cornerback Fred Bennett is rated one of the best corners in the country and sophomore Ko Simpson is a preseason all-SEC selection. They'll line up against a deep Troy receiving corps, which features Smokey Hampton, James Earl Cray, Gary Banks, Josh Allen and Toris Rutledge.
Both teams have had trouble running the football and stopping the run. Troy has 155 rushing yards in three games. They average 1.6 yards per rush. Carolina has rushed for 146 yards in three games, averaging 2.1 yards per carry.
Trojan opponents have rushed for 538 yards per game, an average of almost 180 yards per game. The Gamecocks are giving up almost 220 yards on the ground per game.
Troy coach Larry Blakeney expected a simpler game plan this week.
"There are a lot of excuses to throw out there, but our ooaches and players have to take it on themselves to get better," Blakeney said. "The big thing is it's the fourth game of the year. This whole deal is about practice. We'll be simple with our plan. We'll work that plan all week and when we get to Columbia we'll have a better chance."
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier was disgusted with his team's effort last week in a 37-14 loss to Alabama.
"Hopefully, we'll represent our school, our university and our team in a more proud way this week," Spurrier said.
The Ol' Ball Coach said he expected the Trojans will be excited to play.
"Troy had an excellent year last year, went to the Silicon Valley Bowl," he said. "They had one of the best defenses in the country; I think they were ranked in the top 10 in a lot of categories. They lost a lot of those players but still they are a very well coached team, lot of excellent athletes, we're looking forward to a very tough football game on Saturday night."
Blakeney and Spurrier, despite their long SEC careers, have rarely crossed paths on the field.
"I think his first year at Florida was our last year at Auburn," Blakeney said this week. "And the only other time was in 1966 - when I was a sophomore at Auburn and he was a senior at Florida."
Spurrier won the Heisman Trophy that year. It was helped, Blakeney recalled, when the Gator quarterback kicked a field goal in Gainesville that beat the Tigers 30-27.
"Steve Spurrier is a great football coach - no question," Blakeney said. "I think if anyone can build the South Carolina program into what they believe it can be, he can. But Steve Spurrier ain't gonna play Saturday and neither is Larry Blakeney. We've got to worry about T-R-O-Y - not Steve Spurrier, really, not even our opponent. We've got to get our chickens in the coop.
"Now, yes, playing against SEC guys and playing against a coach like Steve Spurrier is pretty special. That's the league we all grew up watching and measuring everybody else by."
The game, which kicks off at 6 p.m., will be televised on the Trojan Television Network - which includes the CBS affiliates in Dothan and Montgomery.
Trojans hope to measure up
By Ken Rogers, The Messenger
There are a number of intriguing matchups for Troy University's game Saturday against South Carolina.
An exotic blitz package designed by co-defensive coordinators John Thompson and Tyrone Nix will test the Trojans' offensive line.
Carolina's offensive tackles, 6-foot-6 Jabari Levey, who is questionable with an injured ankle, and 6-5 Na'shan Goddard are big bodies who will challenge Troy's quick defensive front.
Gamecocks cornerback Fred Bennett is rated one of the best corners in the country and sophomore Ko Simpson is a preseason all-SEC selection. They'll line up against a deep Troy receiving corps, which features Smokey Hampton, James Earl Cray, Gary Banks, Josh Allen and Toris Rutledge.
Both teams have had trouble running the football and stopping the run. Troy has 155 rushing yards in three games. They average 1.6 yards per rush. Carolina has rushed for 146 yards in three games, averaging 2.1 yards per carry.
Trojan opponents have rushed for 538 yards per game, an average of almost 180 yards per game. The Gamecocks are giving up almost 220 yards on the ground per game.
Troy coach Larry Blakeney expected a simpler game plan this week.
"There are a lot of excuses to throw out there, but our ooaches and players have to take it on themselves to get better," Blakeney said. "The big thing is it's the fourth game of the year. This whole deal is about practice. We'll be simple with our plan. We'll work that plan all week and when we get to Columbia we'll have a better chance."
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier was disgusted with his team's effort last week in a 37-14 loss to Alabama.
"Hopefully, we'll represent our school, our university and our team in a more proud way this week," Spurrier said.
The Ol' Ball Coach said he expected the Trojans will be excited to play.
"Troy had an excellent year last year, went to the Silicon Valley Bowl," he said. "They had one of the best defenses in the country; I think they were ranked in the top 10 in a lot of categories. They lost a lot of those players but still they are a very well coached team, lot of excellent athletes, we're looking forward to a very tough football game on Saturday night."
Blakeney and Spurrier, despite their long SEC careers, have rarely crossed paths on the field.
"I think his first year at Florida was our last year at Auburn," Blakeney said this week. "And the only other time was in 1966 - when I was a sophomore at Auburn and he was a senior at Florida."
Spurrier won the Heisman Trophy that year. It was helped, Blakeney recalled, when the Gator quarterback kicked a field goal in Gainesville that beat the Tigers 30-27.
"Steve Spurrier is a great football coach - no question," Blakeney said. "I think if anyone can build the South Carolina program into what they believe it can be, he can. But Steve Spurrier ain't gonna play Saturday and neither is Larry Blakeney. We've got to worry about T-R-O-Y - not Steve Spurrier, really, not even our opponent. We've got to get our chickens in the coop.
"Now, yes, playing against SEC guys and playing against a coach like Steve Spurrier is pretty special. That's the league we all grew up watching and measuring everybody else by."
The game, which kicks off at 6 p.m., will be televised on the Trojan Television Network - which includes the CBS affiliates in Dothan and Montgomery.