Football set to open season against Nicholls

Veterans Memorial Stadium sits dormant for the moment, but a storm will break the silence this Saturday when Troy kicks off the 2025 season against Nicholls. 

This is the sixth time these two teams have clashed, with Troy leading the all-time series 4-1. Troy won the last time they faced off with a 26-0 home victory in 2001. 

Troy athletics photo

Jordan Lovett celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Southern Miss last season.

Gerad Parker enters his second season as the head ball coach of the men of Troy. Last season, the Trojans started off 0-3 after a close loss in the season opener to Nevada. The Trojans hope to set a different tone early on. 

“We need to start well.” Parker said. “We need to play a brand of football that Troy expects us to, and we expect that of ourselves.” 

How Troy’s playstyle will operate remains to be something of a mystery. There was a clear shift last season in the final month of play, when Troy had a notable drop in pass attempts and focused more on the run game. Now, with Goose Crowder returning at quarterback and the loss of running back Damien Taylor, it is yet to be seen how willing the Trojans are to rely on Trey Cooley and Jordan Lovett in the backfield. 

Although it’s the first game of the season for the Trojans, Nicholls has already had a chance to see action. The Colonels faced off against Incarnate Word in a week zero matchup.

Nicholls got the upset win at home, toppling the Southland Conference preseason favorites 20-6. 

Nicholls brings a senior quarterback in Deuce Hogan. The Grapevine, Texas, native has earned his first starting job with his fourth school. Hogan previously spent time as a backup at Iowa, Kentucky and New Mexico State. 

The Colonels defense will be a threat to Trojan quarterback Goose Crowder. In week zero, the team forced three interceptions and one fumble. Defensive back Ty Marsh helped seal the win with a pick six as well. 

Troy has not lost to an FCS opponent since its 3-9 season in 2014 that included a loss to Abilene Christian. With a difficult non-conference schedule featuring Clemson, Memphis and Buffalo in the weeks after, Parker and the Trojans cannot afford an early season loss at home. 

Troy will officially kick off the season under the lights against Nicholls at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Troy Sports Media Network.