Super Bowl Update

BY DREW CHAMPLIN | dchamplin@dothaneagle.com

TROY – Troy’s second scrimmage wasn’t much different than the first, with the defense leading the way.

Through two and a half weeks of practice, Trojans head coach Larry Blakeney feels like his defense is deeper and much improved than last year. The offense was held to just two touchdowns, both of which came late in the scrimmage, and the defense also had a goal line stand on a 4 th and goal from the 1-yard line.

Blakeney switched the scrimmage format, pitting the first-team offense against the second-team defense and vice versa. Some players alternated units.

“I was a little bit disappointed in the (first) offense,” Blakeney said. “We did hold (offensive lineman Kyle) Wilborn and (running back Shawn) Southward. They are two cogs in our offensive deal and the older players are more experienced.”

Receiver Chip Reeves and possible starting lineman Cody Woodiel also sat out. Running back D.J. Taylor has missed most of fall practice because of a heat issue, and Blakeney said Taylor’s parents are having tests run on him but they hope to get him back next week.

Defensively, the Trojans were without starting cornerback Bryan Willis. Several players sat out for precautionary reasons.

“I feel a little better as we progress each day out here,” Blakeney said. “It is hot. It is school. Everything that goes into the life of a college student-athlete in football, we’re experiencing. We’ve got to deal with it, get better from it and everything is targeted towards Sept. 1 (opener at UAB).”

Freshman cornerback Chris Davis intercepted a pass in the end zone from Corey Robinson and Blakeney singled him out as a player looking to jump in the mix. Fellow cornerback Zach Miller picked off a pass from Dallas Tidwell and went down with a minor ankle injury afterward, but is expected to be back practicing this week.

“Since camp started, we’ve been getting better each week, day in and day out,” Miller said. “That’s what we want to continue to do. We’re there, but we’re not where we want to be or where we should be.”

Early in the scrimmage, Robinson hit Chandler Worthy for a 56-yard gain. Robinson tossed a shovel pass to Khary Franklin, who was stopped at the 1-yard line. On the next play, fourth and goal, wildcat quarterback Deon Anthony was stuffed at the line by linebacker Eli Canton.

Late in the scrimmage, Robinson threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Worthy, who is poised to build off a strong freshman year.

“If he keeps moving his feet like that after contact, he’s going to be something special because he’s got the speed to go with it,” Robinson said. “He’s got a bunch of tools that you can’t teach, a bunch of God-given stuff and because of that, he’s going to go a long way.”

On the final drive of the scrimmage, Robinson hit J.J. Harbin for a 12-yard gain, and Brandon Burks punched it in from a yard out. Worthy said the offense held a little bit back during the scrimmage.

“We’re maturing more than anything,” Worthy said. “We’re coming along as a team. We didn’t open up the full playbook yet, but we’re maturing as a team and seeing what our strong points and weak points are.

“It’s going to be something to see (when we open it up). I guarantee you, it’s going to be something to see.”

Blakeney didn’t declare a winner in the field goal kicker competition. Will Scott kicked both extra points and hit a 41-yard field goal. Jed Solomon hit a 22-yard field goal. Ryan Kay is also in the mix.

“We’re close,” Blakeney said. “End of this week, we’ve got to go with one guy. We’ve got three guys that could probably get it done, but we’ve got to pick the best one and go with him.

“Kay has got a redshirt. Jed has already been redshirted. Will is a junior college guy and he’s got more experience actually on the field than any of them. I’m excited about them. I think they’re capable.”