Super Bowl Update

Actually this came from Wednesday but is in the Thursday paper. Some other obs: from the 11-on-11 I saw, Corey Robinson looked pretty sharp. Chris Pickett was running with the 1s at safety and Brynden Trawick with the 2s. We'll see in the Saturday scrimmage if that's a permanent change but Troy has four pretty good safeties and all four will play.

BY DREW CHAMPLIN | dchamplin@dothaneagle.com

TROY – The first day of classes doesn’t alter the practice schedule that much, but it can certainly cause some distractions.
Some of the distractions are good, as college athletes have to be focused on academics. That doesn’t mean coaches want their minds to drift away from football entirely. The defensive line found that out, as they were running extra gassers after practice.
Defensive line coach Randy Butler told his group he wanted them to come to the next practice with more football on their minds.
“When they come over here, they’ve been checking the scenery (girls) out and getting their classes worked out,” Butler said. “I told them tomorrow they’ve got to think about it before they come over here. They can’t just walk on the field and not have thought about, at some point during the day, some football.”
Butler also said he’s working on getting the linemen in better condition for the season opener, which is an 11 a.m. kickoff at UAB.
Troy moved to an afternoon practice schedule Wednesday. The second scrimmage is Saturday at 11 a.m. Troy head coach Blakeney said the only other potential scrimmage would be Aug. 25, but that would be more of a mock game and walkthrough.

Injury report:
Several players have missed practice time, but the Trojans have escaped serious injuries thus far.
Running back D.J. Taylor continues to be hampered by heat ailments that stem from the first day of practice. Blakeney is hoping to get cornerback Ethan Davis (knee) back soon, though Davis has been doing some work off to the side. Offensive lineman Luke Lawrence recently had surgery to remove some fluid around his lungs.
Safety Joe Lofton is facing thumb surgery and offensive lineman Cody Woodiel has inflammation in the muscle fiber around his ribs. Receiver Sam Haskins and linebacker Wayland Coleman-Dancer were also held out of full practice.
“It’s not a broken rib, but we’ve got to treat it like a broken rib,” Blakeney said. “He’s a tough ole boy.”

Scott surging ahead:
Troy coaches hope to have a placekicker settled on by the end of the week. Blakeney said junior Will Scott appears to be ahead of freshmen Jed Solomon and Ryan Kay. All three can handle extra points, field goals, kickoffs and punts, though Scott has already nailed down the punting job.
“About the time you get to thinking one of them’s ahead, either that one will foul up or another one will come on,” Blakeney said. “I think Will is the odds-on favorite in maybe doing all of them. Kay’s good at times. Jed’s good at times at the things he does.”

Wilborn could be the center:
Senior Kyle Wilborn, who has started at right tackle and left guard throughout his career, could open the season as the starting center. Senior Andrew Phillips has missed time, but was back at practice Wednesday and working with the second unit at center.
“Wilborn is a guy that can play any of (the positions), but he has really looked good at center,” Blakeney said. “He may be the guy that we need to start with. Andrew’s a good player and we think he’s going to be an even better player (as time goes on).”

High praise:
Offensive line coach John Schlarman gave high marks for three walk-ons who are “trying to make the bus” in terms of securing spots on the dress roster. Evan McKissack, Patrick Shotts and Caleb Carbine are battling to join the rotation.
“These are guys who are unsung heroes of the program,” Schlarman said. “We need them as a part of the team. Some of the other guys can probably take lessons from some of them. They may not be 6-5, 6-6, what have you, but they bring it every day.”

Terry looking to play:
Linebackers coach Benjy Parker said senior De’Von Terry, a walk-on from Enterprise, is in line to play this year. Terry is currently backing up Kanorris Davis at the nickel position.
“He’s had a really good camp,” Parker said. “He’s coming on and he’s going to play a lot for us this year.”