formerlytsufan
10-12-2004, 01:32 PM
Back to work - Troy preps for Arkansas State
By Jeff Edge
Eagle Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
TROY - Rested, refocused and ready to reload.
After a much-needed week off, Troy University continues its chase for a Sun Belt Conference football championship when the Trojans hit the road to face Arkansas State.
"It seems like a year since we've played," said Trojan head coach Larry Blakeney Monday in reference to his team's last outing, a 49-21 pasting of Utah State. "This is a trip we're going to have to pay close attention to."
Despite coming off a big conference win and getting rest and a week to prepare for Arkansas State, Blakeney said his team cannot fall into the same trap it did when it ventured west to play New Mexico State.
"The situation and the team remind me a lot of Arkansas State," Blakeney said. "It's a long trip, we're coming off an open date and they (Arkansas State) are coming off a tough loss."
Senior tailback DeWhitt Betterson said the Trojans have their batteries re-energized and are ready to go.
"We played well in our last game, got some rest and got away from football a little bit," Betterson said. "Now we're back to it again and this is our next conference game. We have to maintain our focus and get ourselves ready for a tough road trip."
New Mexico State was reeling after consecutive losses, but rebounded to derail Troy in Las Cruces. Arkansas State was beaten handily on the road Saturday, as Middle Tennessee drubbed the Indians 45-17.
The loss was a costly one in more ways than one for Arkansas State. Starting quarterback Nick Noce, who has directed the team in all six games this season, suffered a severely bruised hip and will likely miss Saturday's game.
Noce had completed 99-of-168 passes for 1,367 yards with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. His loss puts the spotlight squarely on backup Devin Hollins. Hollins is 12-of-22 for 157 yards with one TD and one interception.
"Devin definitely has some ability to lead our football team," head coach Steve Roberts said. "He's got a lot to learn, but he definitely has the ability to go out and get it done for us."
Noce's return is unlikely. Noce was hobbling at a Sunday practice and was in noticeable pain. The Jonesboro (Ark.) Sun reported Noce did not take part in a light workout on Sunday, and even though Noce threw some light tosses, he was showing discomfort.
Ware on Lombardi List: The Rotary Club of Houston, which annually presents the top lineman in college football with the Rotary Lombardi Award, has added Troy University senior defensive end Demarcus Ware to its "Watch List" for the 2004 award.
Ware, an Auburn, Ala., native, is tied for the national lead in all of Division I-A in sacks this season with eight. Twice this season, against both Marshall and Utah State, he has recorded three sacks in a game.
Ware also ranks fifth in the nation in tackle for loss with 11. The 71 yards he has accumulated on his tackles behind the line of scrimmage is tops in Division I-A.
Big House trip: With the rare open date, Blakeney said he had the opportunity to take his daughter Julie to see the Michigan-Minnesota game in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan staged a late rally to win 27-24.
"Julie has loved the maze and blue all along," Blakeney said. "I know Lloyd Carr and he was able to comp us a couple of ticket. It was awesome. The Big House has no luxury suites, but they put 109 (thousand) in there. It was a great experience for Julie and me."
By Jeff Edge
Eagle Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
TROY - Rested, refocused and ready to reload.
After a much-needed week off, Troy University continues its chase for a Sun Belt Conference football championship when the Trojans hit the road to face Arkansas State.
"It seems like a year since we've played," said Trojan head coach Larry Blakeney Monday in reference to his team's last outing, a 49-21 pasting of Utah State. "This is a trip we're going to have to pay close attention to."
Despite coming off a big conference win and getting rest and a week to prepare for Arkansas State, Blakeney said his team cannot fall into the same trap it did when it ventured west to play New Mexico State.
"The situation and the team remind me a lot of Arkansas State," Blakeney said. "It's a long trip, we're coming off an open date and they (Arkansas State) are coming off a tough loss."
Senior tailback DeWhitt Betterson said the Trojans have their batteries re-energized and are ready to go.
"We played well in our last game, got some rest and got away from football a little bit," Betterson said. "Now we're back to it again and this is our next conference game. We have to maintain our focus and get ourselves ready for a tough road trip."
New Mexico State was reeling after consecutive losses, but rebounded to derail Troy in Las Cruces. Arkansas State was beaten handily on the road Saturday, as Middle Tennessee drubbed the Indians 45-17.
The loss was a costly one in more ways than one for Arkansas State. Starting quarterback Nick Noce, who has directed the team in all six games this season, suffered a severely bruised hip and will likely miss Saturday's game.
Noce had completed 99-of-168 passes for 1,367 yards with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. His loss puts the spotlight squarely on backup Devin Hollins. Hollins is 12-of-22 for 157 yards with one TD and one interception.
"Devin definitely has some ability to lead our football team," head coach Steve Roberts said. "He's got a lot to learn, but he definitely has the ability to go out and get it done for us."
Noce's return is unlikely. Noce was hobbling at a Sunday practice and was in noticeable pain. The Jonesboro (Ark.) Sun reported Noce did not take part in a light workout on Sunday, and even though Noce threw some light tosses, he was showing discomfort.
Ware on Lombardi List: The Rotary Club of Houston, which annually presents the top lineman in college football with the Rotary Lombardi Award, has added Troy University senior defensive end Demarcus Ware to its "Watch List" for the 2004 award.
Ware, an Auburn, Ala., native, is tied for the national lead in all of Division I-A in sacks this season with eight. Twice this season, against both Marshall and Utah State, he has recorded three sacks in a game.
Ware also ranks fifth in the nation in tackle for loss with 11. The 71 yards he has accumulated on his tackles behind the line of scrimmage is tops in Division I-A.
Big House trip: With the rare open date, Blakeney said he had the opportunity to take his daughter Julie to see the Michigan-Minnesota game in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan staged a late rally to win 27-24.
"Julie has loved the maze and blue all along," Blakeney said. "I know Lloyd Carr and he was able to comp us a couple of ticket. It was awesome. The Big House has no luxury suites, but they put 109 (thousand) in there. It was a great experience for Julie and me."