Troy running back Chris Anderson overcomes obstacles

By Drew Champlin
Published: September 07, 2010

TROY — Rock bottom for Chris Anderson came when he was on a long plane ride from Fort Lauderdale to Hutchinson, Kan. in the summer of 2009.

The previous fall, the then-true freshman running back for Troy was inching close to a starting job. Two weeks before the season opener, the NCAA pulled Anderson off the field while it investigated his high school transcript.

Anderson waited. Troy coaches waited. Finally, the NCAA declared him a non-qualifier, stripping his scholarship for the year and taking away his ability to do any organized team activities.


The ruling left Troy officials peeved.
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Troy Team Report

Updated: September 08, 2010 04:59 EST


INSIDE SLANT
Larry Blakeney is in his 20th season as the Trojans coach.
Given all that experience, he isn't one to look in the past very often. Even though Troy opened the season with a 30-27 win over Bowling Green, thanks to a last-second field goal by Michael Taylor, Blakeney was ready to look ahead.

"A win is a win, but this game doesn't matter anymore, it's over with," he said. "Now it's time to get the focus on (the next game.)"
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Trojans Hope To Build On Momentum From Opening Victory

Ben Stanfield
9/8/2010 1:42:21 PM



The confines of Veterans Memorial Stadium proved to be friendly once again for the Troy Trojans in the opening week of the 2010, but the Trojans will suit up in their road uniforms this weekend against the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Troy (1-0) and Oklahoma State (1-0) will face-off in the final game of a three-game series Saturday night at Boone Pickens Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:05 pm. The game can be heard on the Troy ISP Sports Network with “The Voice of the Trojans”, Barry McKnight, taking you through the action along with analyst Jerry Miller and sideline reporter Chris Blackshear. There are also links on TroyTrojans.com for live stats and audio.

There will be no television coverage of the game.
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Troy notes: Davis' big play sparked Trojans

By Drew Champlin
Published: September 08, 2010

TROY — Tony Davis never thought he’d get his first career interception before his first sack.

The Troy sophomore defensive tackle never thought he’d get an interception at all, but his athletic play off a deflected ball with 1:14 left in last week’s game against Bowling Green set the Trojans up for their 30-27 win. Troy plays at Oklahoma State Saturday at 6 p.m.

“It’s like a dream come true,” Davis said. “All D-linemen think about is getting an interception and what they’d do when they get them. It was a hustle play.”

Defensive tackles coach Mo Crain played the same position at Iowa from 1989-93, earning four letters. Davis has already one-upped his position coach in that category.
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OSU braces for another talented, fast Troy team

By BRANDON CHATMON, Staff Writer, bchatmon@opubco.com Oklahoman 9
Published: September 8, 2010
Modified: September 9, 2010 at 8:56 am



STILLWATER — Osi Umenyiora did it in 2003. DeMarcus Ware followed in 2005. And Leodis McKelvin continued the trend in 2008. Troy has consistently produced NFL players for the past decade and the Trojans seem to always bring athleticism and speed to the table whenever — and wherever — they hit the field

"When I think of Troy, I think of a team with a lot of team speed," safety Markelle Martin said. "(They are) a team a lot of people are going to sleep on."
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Gameday Central: Roadtrip
Your guide to Troy football on the road in 2010
Taylor Bryan


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McKissic's fortunes turn in injury-riddled career

By Drew Champlin | dchamplin@dothaneagle.com
Published: September 09, 2010


Credit: moden@dothaneagle.com
Bryant McKissic makes a play on a Bowling Green Falcon last Saturday.

TROY, Ala. --
Injuries have hindered Troy safety Bryant McKissic’s ability to get on the field for most of his career.

Strangely enough, it’s an injury to a teammate that’s helping McKissic see more action during his senior season.

Fellow senior Barry Valcin fractured and dislocated his ankle two days before Troy’s season-opening win over Bowling Green, allowing McKissic to slide into the starting lineup.
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Oklahoma St hopes to avoid Week 2 letdown vs. Troy

By Jeff Latzke, AP College Football Writer
STILLWATER, Okla. — All the high hopes and good feelings that come with an impressive opening win can be washed away just as quickly as they were created.

That lesson isn't lost on Oklahoma State.

After beating Georgia in Week 1 last season, the Cowboys climbed into the top 5 for the first time in 24 years amid a burst of enthusiasm around the program that included an appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated. One week later, the dreams disappeared with an upset loss at home to Houston.

So, after a 65-17 rout of Washington State to start this season, Oklahoma State's players are wary about riding too high when Troy comes to town on Saturday night.

"I think it's natural for us to feel confident with so much work that came through the offseason and summer workouts," safety Markelle Martin said. "I think it's natural to feel that way, but at the same time we know that we've got to go back to work this week."
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Troy to be challenged by Oklahoma State running back

STILLWATER, Okla. — The big thorn in Troy’s side the last two times the Trojans have played Oklahoma State is still there.


OSU’s lone bright spot in a 41-23 loss to Troy in 2007 was a freshman’s coming out party. Running back Kendall Hunter ran for 125 yards on 16 carries.


The next year, in a bigger role, Hunter ran for 165 yards and two scores as the Cowboys rolled up 612 yards in a 55-24 win.


The rubber match is today at 6 p.m. at Boone Pickens Stadium. The star? He’s still there, and Hunter is being touted by some as a Heisman Trophy candidate.
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Trojans look to lasso Cowboys

Published 12:32am Saturday, September 11, 2010

What began in 2007 in Troy will finish this afternoon in Stillwater, OK.

For the third time in four seasons, the Troy Trojans and the Oklahoma State Cowboys will meet on the gridiron, concluding a series that has seen both sides take home a victory.

Now, the Trojans will look to do what it was unable to do in 2008, by getting a win in front of a hostel Big XII crowd and in the process taking the series with a win in the rubber match.

“I wish we were playing this game at home,” head coach Larry Blakeney said with a laugh earlier in the week about the trip to Oklahoma.

“We would like to be one of those schools that get to play eight home games and pick and chose who you want to beat early.
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Postgame links/thoughts

September 12, 2010
By Drew Champlin

I’ll try to make this short and simple. Long day of flying/traveling tomorrow. I hate myself for booking a flight out of Lawton instead of OKC

HERE is the gamer.

HERE is the notebook.

No serious injuries that I know of, but some guys got dinged up and had problems with cramps.

I think the move of Bryant McKissic to nickel, rotating there with Daniel Sheffield, is probably for the better of the team. That moves Chris Pickett to a starting safety spot, making Troy more athletic, but less experienced there.

Troy’s biggest problem defensively was getting beat on the deep ball - not so much Kendall Hunter. He got his yards, but nothing like he did last week against WSU. He’s very good, though
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Turnovers Bite Troy in Stillwater
Trojans and OSU Complete a Thriller
Taylor Bryan
9/11/2010 8:05:52 PM



STILLWATER, Okla. - After battling back from behind and absorbing every body blow Oklahoma State could dish out, the Trojans saw their chance at a marquee road victory slip away by turning the ball over deep in Cowboys territory in the second half of a 41-38 loss at Boone Pickens Stadium.

The Trojans fall to 1-1 on the season with the loss while Oklahoma State improved to 2-0.

"We made enough mistakes tonight to lose about six or eight ballgames in one, and they did too," Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said. "And that's the only thing that made it 41-38 instead of one of us winning by a larger margin. We got a chance playing against a team like Oklahoma State. They're a young football team; we're a young football team.

"We battled hard against each other and we came out on the short end of the stick. It was kicking game woes, it was turnovers. We couldn't stop the deep ball. We've got so many things we've got to work on, but I think we have a chance to be a decent team."
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Monday notes/video

September 13, 2010
By Drew Champlin

***It’s looking line linebackers Kanorris Davis (rib) and Johnny Thompson (leg) will play Saturday. That’s a huge deal because they’re two of the better guys on kickoff coverage and that’s the top players at the DIME position when Troy gets to a 3-man front on third down with blitzes. They had to put Cam Hudson at the DIME on Saturday, and Hudson had never practiced at the position until last week. He didn’t blitz on a play where he was supposed to blitz and, instead of a QB sack, OSU got a first down and eventually scored.
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Troy notebook: TeBiarus Gill fired up to play UAB

By Drew Champlin
Published: September 13, 2010

TROY — It’s a non-conference game, but no game sticks out more for Troy wide receiver TeBiarus Gill than UAB.

Gill, now a senior, signed with the Blazers out of high school, but went to Jones County Junior College in Mississippi for two seasons. After that, UAB didn’t recruit him and he signed with Troy. Troy plays at UAB Saturday at 3 p.m.

“When somebody turns your back on me, I don’t like stuff like that,” Gill said.
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Troy special teams look for a boost

By Drew Champlin
Published: September 13, 2010

TROY — Troy head coach Larry Blakeney doesn’t want the Trojans to be a pooch-kicking team.

For that to change, the Trojans must find 10 players who can effectively cover kickoffs. It’s something coaches are still searching for after the first two games. Troy (1-1) plays at UAB (0-2) Saturday at 3 p.m.

Troy used short kicks Saturday against Oklahoma State, holding the Cowboys to 14 yards per return, but setting up the Cowboys with decent field position. It hasn’t been any better with punt coverage, as the Trojans have given up punt returns for touchdowns in the first two games.
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TROY FOOTBALL: Trojans work to improve defense on kick returns

By Tim Gayle • September 14, 2010

TROY -- Both of Troy's games have come down to the fi­nal whistle, back-and-forth games that have been decided by a couple of big plays.

In the opener, Troy survived a punt return for a touchdown, beating Bowling Green on a last-second field goal by Michael Taylor.

Last week, the Trojans sur­rendered another punt return for a touchdown and weren't as fortunate, losing at Oklahoma State 41-38.

In a sport where field posi­tion often dictates the winner, the Trojans are allowing oppo­nents too many yards on kickoff and punt returns.
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Massaquoi coming up big for Trojans

By Drew Champlin
Published: September 14, 2010

TROY — Jonathan Massaquoi walked into Troy’s Monday media gathering with dark shades, ripped jeans and the serious look on his face that defines his personality.

“I’m very blunt and very direct,” the sophomore defensive end said. “My teammates like that because I don’t want to lie to you or hide anything from you.”

Massaquoi came to Troy with NFL bloodlines, as cousins Mohamed and Tim Massaquoi and Visanthe Shiancoe have made their marks in the league. He graduated from junior college in a year and a half and will finish his academics at Troy in the fall of 2011 with a double major in social science and business and minor in facility management.
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UAB notebook: The Blazers' offensive tackles
have a tough assignment on Saturday

Published: Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 12:11 PM
Updated: Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 12:22 PM

Steve Irvine -- The Birmingham News

One of UAB's biggest objectives on Saturday at Legion Field is trying to neutralize Troy defensive ends Mario Addison and Jonathan Massaquoi. It's largely up to experienced offensive tackles Matt McCants and Terence Edge to make that happen.

"That's a big part of what they do defensively," said UAB head coach Neil Callaway. "They are good defensive ends but we think we've got two pretty good tackles. We see how we match up. We'll play the game and see what happens."
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Giving up big plays hampers young Troy defense

By Drew Champlin
Published: September 15, 2010

TROY — Troy’s young defense has earned praise from defensive coordinator Jeremy Rowell because of its effort, but is failing in the big play category.

Oklahoma State had 522 total yards in last week’s 41-38 win over the Trojans, but it came stretched out over 76 plays. Of those 522 yards, 204 came on six plays — four of which were on plays of 40 yards or more.

“We’re playing our butts off,” Rowell said. “We got turnovers. We created some havoc with pass rush at times. We brainlocked some, too, which obviously got us in a little bit of trouble. The big plays is what’s killing us.”

Troy did force five turnovers — three fumbles and two interceptions — despite shuffling its lineup around because of injuries. Now with another full week of preparation, the Trojans (1-1) are hoping more practice pays off Saturday at UAB (0-2). Game time is 3 p.m. at Legion Field in Birmingham.
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Troy quarterback Corey Robinson
will test UAB on Saturday

Steve Irvine -- The Birmingham News


Corey Robinson will get the start at quarterback for Troy in Saturday's game against
UAB. (Dothan Eagle photo)

Check out Corey Robinson's high school football resume and one question quickly pops up.

Is it possible to throw 91 touch­downs in one season? For the record, Robinson, now the starting quarterback for Larry Blakeney at Troy, set a national high school record as a senior at Lone Oak High in Paducah, Ky., by throwing 91 touchdown passes in a 15-game season that ended with an appearance in the 2007 Class 4A title game.

How impressive is that?
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