Super Bowl Update

"They practiced better," head coach Larry Blakeney said. "That little running session I put them yesterday, maybe they don’t want to do that again. You’ve got to try to do everything you can to motivate them. Sometimes it’s negative. I’d rather it be positive from within, but sometimes it has to be external."

Troy has a light practice this afternoon and a morning practice on Friday before the Saturday 11 a.m. scrimmage.

Some personnel notes, as Blakeney said freshman corner Shaq Beverly has been working at nickel to see if he can play that position, and redshirt freshman Tyler Roberts is really challenging for the starting spot at the bandit end position, which fifth-year senior Jacoby Thomas currently holds.

*** Troy had some turnovers in 7 on 7 drills. Bryan Willis stepped in front of one of Corey Robinson's passes. Eli Canton made a great diving interception on a deflection from T.J. Bryant. Deon Anthony threw it and Bryant probably committed pass interference on the play. Zach Miller didn't bite on a pump fake from Anthony and picked off a pass in the end zone. Julius Brown loved that play. I have a hard time seeing Miller NOT end up as one starting cornerback.

*** Some guys were injured and didn't practice, for heat concerns or small nicks and bruises. OL Zach Johnson, C Andrew Phillips, RB DJ Taylor, DB Ethan Davis were among those that didn't dress out, and S Barry Valcin had to come out. Nothing serious. So, the top OL from what I saw had Jarred Fleming at left tackle, Dalton Bennett at left guard, Kyle Wilborn at center, Cody Woodiel at right guard and Terrence Jones at right tackle.

*** Third-year sophomore Dionte Ponder is making a move to be in the rotation. I don't believe he's ever dressed out for a game before after being a 3-star recruit in 2010, but he's got a chance to play this fall. Ponder stepped in front of a (bad) pass from Anthony and picked it off.

*** Will Scott was the first placekicker to go out. Wonder if he'll handle all of the kicking duties. I've got to think he's for sure the punter. Ryan Kay can do all three, and Jed Solomon is in the mix for placekicking.