Troy hoping for better defense, season in 2012

JOHN ZENOR - AP Sports Writer (AP)
Posted August 20, 2012 at 3:28 p.m.

TROY, Ala. (AP) — The Troy Trojans are no longer worrying about defending championships. They just want to defend, period.

The Trojans' defensive struggles were a big reason the team fell to 3-9 last season after opening with designs on a sixth consecutive Sun Belt Conference title.

Troy ranked 113th nationally in total defense, giving up 465 yards a game. Coach Larry Blakeney says the Trojans have more depth at just about every defensive position.

"I think we're better across the board on defense," said Blakeney, entering his 22nd season. "I don't know that any one player is better than what we had last year — some of them are the same players — but we have got to be better."

Blakeney brought in some transfers to bolster a defense with six returning starters, including a pair of cornerbacks likely to make an immediate impact. Blakeney projects junior college transfer Zach Miller as a starter and former Southern California backup T.J. Bryant as the third corner.

He also imported four defensive linemen from the JUCO ranks.

Besides the players, the Trojans might go into the season with a little more humility.

"We're very motivated this year," quarterback Corey Robinson said. "There was kind of a sense last year that if we just put on the Troy uniform, things would go well for us. Obviously we know now that's not true. We know that. That's why we're out there, like coach Blakeney says, grinding every day."
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