gameweek breakdown
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:25 am
September 6, 2007
The Gators suit up for the second time this year this coming weekend and GatorBait.net has the very latest on the Troy Trojans with the Game Week Breakdown. Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor of the Troy Messenger, breaks down the Trojans with his answers to five burning questions as well as giving us five Troy players Gator fans should keep an eye on this weekend.
BURNING QUESTIONS: Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor of the Troy Messenger provides answers to our burning questions
1) What does Troy do well offensively and defensively?
Troy runs a spread offense, similar to what the Gators run. Omar Haugabook is the senior quarterback, and he's as good as advertised. Very savvy player with a ton of athleticism. He's got good targets in guys like Gary Banks, Justin Bray and Austin Silvoy. Halfback Kenny Cattouse is up-and-down, but shows a ton of potential.
Defensively, the Trojans are strong at linebacker and the defensive secondary. A lot of returning starters there. Linebacker Marcus Richardson is the de facto leader for the defense. Leodis McKelvin is dangerous in the secondary -- great athleticism, plus a hard hitter.
2) What are the Trojan weak spots?
Troy's weak spots are pretty evident. The offensive line lost four starters. While the new linemen played decently at Arkansas, you could tell they're still learning their positions.
Defensively, the Trojans just lost starting defensive lineman Kenny Mainor, who's been indefinitely suspended following a drug arrest.
3) In your opinion, in what areas do the Trojans match up favorably with the Gators?
Troy's offense matches up reasonably well with Florida's inexperienced secondary. The Trojans are pretty good at stretching the field horizontally.
For them to beat Florida, they're going to have to go vertical on the offense. Gary Banks (senior wideout) is going to have to have a great game. He can't afford to disappear like he did in the Arkansas game.
Defensively, Troy has to play assignments and not get caught up in the "stop Tebow" fever..
4) Last week Troy gave up close to 300-yards on the ground to Arkansas, what do they have to do to remedy that?
Play better? Seriously, Troy's defense is appalled at the way they played, and some changes have been made both on defense and on the kickoff coverage teams.
5) What about Troy's kick return game?
Leodis McKelvin is possibly the best returner you've never heard of. Keep an eye on him. )
FIVE TROJANS TO KEEP AN EYE ON: Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor of the Troy Messenger provides this list of five Trojan players Gator fans will want to keep an eye on
1) Omar Haugabook; 6-foot-2, 220-pound, senior quarterback
Outlook: Returns as the reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and first team All-Conference quarterback...Was also named MVP of the New Orleans Bowl ...Was named Amateur Athlete of the Year by the Palm Beach (Fla.) County Sports Commission.
Mathews Says: As Haugabook goes, so goes the Troy offense. If he has a good day, Troy has a chance.
2) Gary Banks; 6-foot-1, 196-pound, senior wide receiver
Outlook: Came to Troy after playing baseball in the Chicago Cubs organization for three years ... Moved from quarterback to receiver in 2004 ... Extremely athletic and possesses a strong, accurate throwing arm ... Has also held for PATs and field goals ... Enters the 2007 season six receptions shy of 100 for his career and 98 yards shy of 1,000 for his career...Was named to several preseason Sun Belt Conference teams.
Mathews Says: Troy's leading receiver. Has a tendency to disappear in big games.
3) Austin Silvoy; 6-foot-3, 186-pound, freshman receiver
Outlook: Was impressive during spring drills and will battle for the starting job at the Y receiver position.
Mathews Says: Played high school ball with Tim Tebow. Talented, but runs as the fourth receiver in Troy's spread offense.
4) Brandon Lang; 6-foot-5, 240-pound, sophomore defensive end
Outlook: Returns as an experienced member of the Trojan' defensive line ... Will be a regular in the rotation at defensive end.
Mathews Says: Kenny Mainor's replacement after Mainor was suspended from the team.
5) Marcus Richardson; 6-foot-3, 225-pound, senior linebacker
Outlook: Moved from Sam to Will linebacker during spring drills.
Mathews Says: Linebacker who can really hit. Okay at coverage, with good hands. Defensive leader.
FIVE FAST FACTS
1) The Trojans have faced a nationally-ranked opponent 12 times since moving to Division I-A in 2001. Troy is 1-11 all-time against nationally ranked (Division I) opponents, with the 2004 win over Missouri the only victory. The average score of the 12 games has been 36.1-12.9
2) The Trojans opened the 2007 season with a large group of first-time starters. Among the group was senior Chris Bradwell, who played as a true freshman at Florida State in 2004 but did not start.
3) Troy is 25-34 all-time against teams from the state of Florida.
4) This year, only Army, with 30, has more players from the state of Florida in the Bowl Subdivision than Troy (outside the Florida schools) ... There are 29 native Floridians on the Troy roster this year, which is four players more than the next closest school, Wake Forest (25).
5) Troy coach Larry Blakeney and Florida coach Urban Meyer have never faced each other, even as assistant coaches.
The Gators suit up for the second time this year this coming weekend and GatorBait.net has the very latest on the Troy Trojans with the Game Week Breakdown. Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor of the Troy Messenger, breaks down the Trojans with his answers to five burning questions as well as giving us five Troy players Gator fans should keep an eye on this weekend.
BURNING QUESTIONS: Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor of the Troy Messenger provides answers to our burning questions
1) What does Troy do well offensively and defensively?
Troy runs a spread offense, similar to what the Gators run. Omar Haugabook is the senior quarterback, and he's as good as advertised. Very savvy player with a ton of athleticism. He's got good targets in guys like Gary Banks, Justin Bray and Austin Silvoy. Halfback Kenny Cattouse is up-and-down, but shows a ton of potential.
Defensively, the Trojans are strong at linebacker and the defensive secondary. A lot of returning starters there. Linebacker Marcus Richardson is the de facto leader for the defense. Leodis McKelvin is dangerous in the secondary -- great athleticism, plus a hard hitter.
2) What are the Trojan weak spots?
Troy's weak spots are pretty evident. The offensive line lost four starters. While the new linemen played decently at Arkansas, you could tell they're still learning their positions.
Defensively, the Trojans just lost starting defensive lineman Kenny Mainor, who's been indefinitely suspended following a drug arrest.
3) In your opinion, in what areas do the Trojans match up favorably with the Gators?
Troy's offense matches up reasonably well with Florida's inexperienced secondary. The Trojans are pretty good at stretching the field horizontally.
For them to beat Florida, they're going to have to go vertical on the offense. Gary Banks (senior wideout) is going to have to have a great game. He can't afford to disappear like he did in the Arkansas game.
Defensively, Troy has to play assignments and not get caught up in the "stop Tebow" fever..
4) Last week Troy gave up close to 300-yards on the ground to Arkansas, what do they have to do to remedy that?
Play better? Seriously, Troy's defense is appalled at the way they played, and some changes have been made both on defense and on the kickoff coverage teams.
5) What about Troy's kick return game?
Leodis McKelvin is possibly the best returner you've never heard of. Keep an eye on him. )
FIVE TROJANS TO KEEP AN EYE ON: Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor of the Troy Messenger provides this list of five Trojan players Gator fans will want to keep an eye on
1) Omar Haugabook; 6-foot-2, 220-pound, senior quarterback
Outlook: Returns as the reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and first team All-Conference quarterback...Was also named MVP of the New Orleans Bowl ...Was named Amateur Athlete of the Year by the Palm Beach (Fla.) County Sports Commission.
Mathews Says: As Haugabook goes, so goes the Troy offense. If he has a good day, Troy has a chance.
2) Gary Banks; 6-foot-1, 196-pound, senior wide receiver
Outlook: Came to Troy after playing baseball in the Chicago Cubs organization for three years ... Moved from quarterback to receiver in 2004 ... Extremely athletic and possesses a strong, accurate throwing arm ... Has also held for PATs and field goals ... Enters the 2007 season six receptions shy of 100 for his career and 98 yards shy of 1,000 for his career...Was named to several preseason Sun Belt Conference teams.
Mathews Says: Troy's leading receiver. Has a tendency to disappear in big games.
3) Austin Silvoy; 6-foot-3, 186-pound, freshman receiver
Outlook: Was impressive during spring drills and will battle for the starting job at the Y receiver position.
Mathews Says: Played high school ball with Tim Tebow. Talented, but runs as the fourth receiver in Troy's spread offense.
4) Brandon Lang; 6-foot-5, 240-pound, sophomore defensive end
Outlook: Returns as an experienced member of the Trojan' defensive line ... Will be a regular in the rotation at defensive end.
Mathews Says: Kenny Mainor's replacement after Mainor was suspended from the team.
5) Marcus Richardson; 6-foot-3, 225-pound, senior linebacker
Outlook: Moved from Sam to Will linebacker during spring drills.
Mathews Says: Linebacker who can really hit. Okay at coverage, with good hands. Defensive leader.
FIVE FAST FACTS
1) The Trojans have faced a nationally-ranked opponent 12 times since moving to Division I-A in 2001. Troy is 1-11 all-time against nationally ranked (Division I) opponents, with the 2004 win over Missouri the only victory. The average score of the 12 games has been 36.1-12.9
2) The Trojans opened the 2007 season with a large group of first-time starters. Among the group was senior Chris Bradwell, who played as a true freshman at Florida State in 2004 but did not start.
3) Troy is 25-34 all-time against teams from the state of Florida.
4) This year, only Army, with 30, has more players from the state of Florida in the Bowl Subdivision than Troy (outside the Florida schools) ... There are 29 native Floridians on the Troy roster this year, which is four players more than the next closest school, Wake Forest (25).
5) Troy coach Larry Blakeney and Florida coach Urban Meyer have never faced each other, even as assistant coaches.