Mr. Ho
10-18-2004, 10:11 AM
In all seriousness, the posts on this board only prove one thing - that there are a lot of folks out here that care about how OUR University is represented on the athletic fields of play. If this board was quite after last Saturday's loss, then maybe we could consider ourselves Tulane, Idaho or some DII school. It is important. Nobody wants to be beaten by or regarded as a doormat, and we are certainly far from that. Our climb into DI has been anything but the norm. We have had a season and 4 years of monumental highs and devastating lows.
With that said, I would like to state the following challenges to OUR beloved Troy Trojans:
Offense: Enough has been stated on the production level of this unit. What hasn't been discussed is how amazing DeWhitt Betterson and Jermaine Richardson have been this season and for 4 years. Despite facing defenses with 8 men "in the box" DB stills gets 100 plus yards per game. We also sometimes forget the mountain JR had to climb just to get to this point (has it been two knee operations?). The fact that he is just dressed out is a tribute to his character. I am not alone in this thinking, but just put the offense on these two young men's shoulders and let them carry the team. I have a feeling that's what they want and our up to the challenge. I have a feeling that's what the offensive lineman would want too. DB and JR carry the Pride of this program on their shoulders.
Defense: What can one say? Not much other than "thank you". Thank you for playing the game the way it should be played - with emotion, pride and feeling. It can be frustrating at times when the weight of the entire university is placed on you. The whole program has revolved around the defense for the last 4 years.
Who can forget two goal-line stands at Nebraska (6 plays from the 1 yard line and ZERO points). Who can forget the interception returned for 6, just when it seemed like Marshall was poised for a comeback? Who can forget another interception returned for 6 in the pouring rain, sealing the victory against Mississippi State? Who can forget finishing 4th in the Nation in total Defense two years ago? Who will forget literally shutting down Mizzou for 3.5 quarters of a game? These are the pillars which great programs are created. You have trully become "The Machine".
Troy Fans: I challenge all Troy fans to continue to celebrate, cry and criticize. But as we face challenge of this weekend let us remember where we came from. Remember, when we thought 5,000 people at homecoming against UT-Martin was big? Remember Willie Tullis playing both ways in the early 80's!!! Remember Ted Clems 50-yard National Championship kick and NOBODY being able to stop Mike Turk running around the field? And finally, remember that the players on the field Saturday night are the ones that have brought us to this point in time. They are part of our tradition. A tradition of winning and shocking the world.
See you all in Red Stick!!!
With that said, I would like to state the following challenges to OUR beloved Troy Trojans:
Offense: Enough has been stated on the production level of this unit. What hasn't been discussed is how amazing DeWhitt Betterson and Jermaine Richardson have been this season and for 4 years. Despite facing defenses with 8 men "in the box" DB stills gets 100 plus yards per game. We also sometimes forget the mountain JR had to climb just to get to this point (has it been two knee operations?). The fact that he is just dressed out is a tribute to his character. I am not alone in this thinking, but just put the offense on these two young men's shoulders and let them carry the team. I have a feeling that's what they want and our up to the challenge. I have a feeling that's what the offensive lineman would want too. DB and JR carry the Pride of this program on their shoulders.
Defense: What can one say? Not much other than "thank you". Thank you for playing the game the way it should be played - with emotion, pride and feeling. It can be frustrating at times when the weight of the entire university is placed on you. The whole program has revolved around the defense for the last 4 years.
Who can forget two goal-line stands at Nebraska (6 plays from the 1 yard line and ZERO points). Who can forget the interception returned for 6, just when it seemed like Marshall was poised for a comeback? Who can forget another interception returned for 6 in the pouring rain, sealing the victory against Mississippi State? Who can forget finishing 4th in the Nation in total Defense two years ago? Who will forget literally shutting down Mizzou for 3.5 quarters of a game? These are the pillars which great programs are created. You have trully become "The Machine".
Troy Fans: I challenge all Troy fans to continue to celebrate, cry and criticize. But as we face challenge of this weekend let us remember where we came from. Remember, when we thought 5,000 people at homecoming against UT-Martin was big? Remember Willie Tullis playing both ways in the early 80's!!! Remember Ted Clems 50-yard National Championship kick and NOBODY being able to stop Mike Turk running around the field? And finally, remember that the players on the field Saturday night are the ones that have brought us to this point in time. They are part of our tradition. A tradition of winning and shocking the world.
See you all in Red Stick!!!