2009 Troy Trojans Football Preview
2009 Troy Trojans season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Troy Trojans football preview as well as the 2009 Troy Trojans Football Schedule. Before leaving be sure and bookmaker our live college football odds page which offers up to the minute point spreads for this weeks games.
Coach: Larry Blakeney (19th year at Troy)
Team Name: Trojans
2008 Overall Record: 8-5
Returning Starters: 12
The Troy Trojans (8- 5 overall, 6- 1 Sun Belt) continued their winning ways by taking the Sun Belt Conference crown in 2008. In doing so, they earned their third bowl appearance in five years, playing Southern Miss in the New Orleans Bowl. The Trojans lost a close one 27- 30 in overtime. This season, it’s likely that Troy will win the league title again.
The 26th ranked Troy offense managed to score an average of 32.8 PPG. Seven starters return, including senior QB Levi Brown (326 ATT, 201 COMP, 2,030 YDs, 3 INTs, 15 TDs). Brown, who was not supposed to start last season, got a chance when QB Jamie Hampton went down with an injury. His performance over five games earned him the league’s Newcomer of the Year Award. The receiving group is deep and includes junior wideout Jerrel Jernigan (77 REC, 868 YDs, 5 TDs) and senior receivers Andrew Davis (20 REC, 286 YDs, 2 TDs) and Cornelius Williams (18 REC, 174 YDs, 3 TDs). RB DuJuan Harris (210 ATT, 1,077 YDs, 11 TDs) is a dual threat, ably rushing and grabbing passes out of the air for touchdowns. The offensive line is good but has some holes to fill.
On defense, the Trojans saw five make the All-Sun Belt starting team in 2008. Three of them return. This is a fine squad, especially in front and middle. The frontline will be led by senior defensive ends Brandon Long (69 TKLs, 10.5 SKs, 7 TFL) and Cameron Sheffield (66 TKLs, 5.5 SKs, 7 TFL). Both were all conference. Senior linebackers Boris Lee (126 TKLs, 4.5 SKs, 4 TFL, 2 INTs) and Bear Woods (108 TKLs, 2 SKs, 5 TFL) are tough competitors. This is a very deep unit. Senior corner Jorrick Calvin (76 TKLs, 2 INTs) is the most experienced player in an inexperienced and thin secondary. This is the weakest link on this side of the ball. The Trojan “D” held opponents to 21.3 PPG (33rd nationally). Once again this year, they should be at least that good.
The special teams are overall healthy and primed. The major concern for this group is locating a capable long snapper. On returns, Jorrick Calvin averaged 9.9 yards per punt return and 25.7 yards per kick run back. The punting game is fine as Will Goggens (52 Punts, 2,037 YDs, 39.2 YPP, 18 In20) put up fine numbers in 2008, which was his freshman season. Senior placekicker Sam Glusman (48- 52 Extra Pts, 20-29 FG) led the league in field goals. But he had difficulty kicking from 30-plus yards.
The incoming class for head coach Larry Blakeney (144- 73- 1 in 18 years with Troy) numbers 39 and is extremely talented. These recruits can help make the Trojans the elite team in the Sun Belt. In 2008, Troy went on the road to Ohio State on September 20 and Oklahoma State on September 27. They lost both games. This season, they travel to Florida on September 12. It’s unlikely they will beat the Gators, but they certainly have a shot at the upset. This club has won three Sun Belt titles in a row and looks to garner their fourth. That will get them to the New Orleans Bowl once again.
Troy Trojans Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/3/2009 | Troy | Bowling Green | away | ||||
| 9/12/2009 | Troy | Florida | away | ||||
| 9/19/2009 | Troy | UAB | home | ||||
| 9/26/2009 | Troy | Arkansas St. | away | ||||
| 10/6/2009 | Troy | Middle Tenn. St. | home | ||||
| 10/17/2009 | Troy | Florida Intl. | away | ||||
| 10/24/2009 | Troy | North Texas | home | ||||
| 10/31/2009 | Troy | LA Monroe | home | ||||
| 11/7/2009 | Troy | West. Kentucky | away | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | Troy | Arkansas | away | ||||
| 11/21/2009 | Troy | Florida Atlantic | home | ||||
| 11/28/2009 | Troy | LA Lafayette | away |
For more info on the 2009 Troy football program, view the Trojans website or read up on the rest of the non BCS ncaa football teams below.
