Tae Meadows powers offense in season-opening win over Nicholls

Troy’s 2025 football season is officially underway. In their season opener, the Trojans battled back to take down Nicholls 38-20. While quarterback Goose Crowder had a combined four touchdowns on the day, the constant rushing attack led by Tae Meadows kept the Trojans in the game. 

Meadows carried the ball 23 times for 186 rushing yards and a touchdown – he also had one reception for 12 yards. For reference, the Trojan offense produced 272 yards on the ground. The junior running back put the Trojans in the driver’s seat late in the fourth quarter, securing the comeback win.  

“He’s practiced that way since spring, prepared really well, and has the intangible traits for being a really good back,” said head coach Gerad Parker. “He showed it tonight.  

“I couldn’t be more pleased for him and what he’s shown.” 

Meadows’ 186-yard performance on Saturday marks Troy’s third best rushing performance in a season opener. His game also ranks as a top-20 rushing performance in program history. 

“I’m still surprised right now, and I’m at a loss for words,” Meadows said. “I was surprised [on the touchdown run] because I didn’t think it was going to open up that wide.  

“I saw green grass, and I just thank God.” 

Meadows, a Roanoke, Alabama, native, broke out in a big way after getting just three carries last season. In last year’s season-ending win over Southern Miss, Meadows busted out a 41-yard run before sliding to kill clock instead of scoring a touchdown. 

While he hasn’t gotten much playing time, Meadows has sat behind dynamic backs like Kimani Vidal and Damien Taylor in the past few seasons. 

As mentioned earlier, Troy fought from behind to begin their season 1-0 – trailing 10-0 at the end of the first quarter. By overcoming the 10-0 deficit, the Trojans have overcome their biggest deficit since coming back from being down 12-0 in the 2022 Cure Bowl, whenTroy defeated UTSA 18-12. 

The Trojans also matched their matched their highest scoring quarter with 28 points in the fourth. The last time Troy accomplished this was in the fourth quarter of their 2023 Sun Belt Championship game victory over App State. 

“I'm very happy for our football team, our program, our staff and our players – I think a huge testament goes to the training and the shape of our football team to play that much of a game early in the year,” Parker said.  

Meadows and the Trojans will be back in action Saturday, Sep. 6 at 2:30 p.m. Troy will be travelling to “Death Valley” to take on the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium.