Senior running back D.J. Taylor, who scored six touchdowns last year, hasn't practiced for most of fall camp because of heat-related issues. He was not seen at the Saturday scrimmage. Taylor is also one of the team's big leaders, and they are hoping to get him back soon.
"He had the heat problem and he had some numbers problems," Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said. "His parents decided they wanted him to get studied. We’re dealing with that. I think he’s going to be back early in the week."
***Defense had the upper hand again in this scrimmage. Stats were not kept, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if the defense doesn't allow the offense to get in the end zone until near the end, which unit had the upper hand. The offense, though, was without some key players in Shawn Southward, Chip Reeves and Kyle Wilborn, and the offense isn't going to open up much of the playbook when a guy like me can describe some huge plays to the whole world. The defense had a goal-line stand not long after a big 56-yard pass from Corey Robinson to Chandler Worthy (Eli Canton stuffed Deon Anthony on the 4th and goal from the 1). The defense got interceptions from Chris Davis and Zach Miller. Bear in mind that this scrimmage was a lot of 1s vs. 2s and 2s vs. 1s. So, even the 2s defense was playing well.
***Several guys were held out, including those above mentioned. OL Cody Woodiel, a possible starter, OL Luke Lawrence, OL Tyler Lassiter, LB Wayland Coleman-Dancer, RB Daron White, starting DB Bryan Willis, DB Jeremy Spikner, DB Ethan Davis, WR Sam Haskins, WR Hakeem Haynie, DB Joe Lofton, RB Chris Anderson, those guys were out for various reasons but I don't think any are too serious. Khary Franklin had some nice runs but looked like he dinged up his shoulder late. At the end, they were down to T.J. Mitchell and Brandon Burks in the backfield.
**Troy's touchdowns came on an 18-yard pass from Corey Robinson to Chandler Worthy and a 1-yard run by Brandon Burks, set up by a 12-yard pass from Robinson to J.J. Harbin.
**Troy's touchdowns came on an 18-yard pass from Corey Robinson to Chandler Worthy and a 1-yard run by Brandon Burks, set up by a 12-yard pass from Robinson to J.J. Harbin.
***No winner yet in the kicking battle but the kickers looked improved. Will Scott booted a 41-yard FG and both PATs. Jed Solomon hit a 22-yarder. Ryan Kay is still in the mix. Blakeney said they need to have a guy by the end of the week.
***No big scrimmages scheduled, though they could add some scrimmage work at the end of a practice sometime this week. If I hear, I will pass it along.
***Scout from the Jacksonville Jaguars was there. WR Shannon Smith, a commitment from Macon, Ga., was there. Some other recruits were there as well but I didn't recognize any. Smith's Westside High t-shirt gave it away.
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