The Trojans ready to square off with No. 20 Missouri
After starting the season 2-0, Troy faces its toughest challenge yet against the nationally-ranked Missouri Tigers.
The game is the first between the Trojans and the No. 20 Tigers since 2019, when Missouri dominated Troy 42-10. This game also marks the second straight year the Trojans have faced a ranked Power conference school. Head coach Gerad Parker praised Missouri and how they have become one of the best teams in the country.
“In every facet of the game, they’re superiorly talented,” Parker said. “They know what to do and how to solve their problems.”
“There’s no holes in it, this is an upper tier SEC team. Coach [Eli] Drinkwitz is in his seventh year, and he’s done a brilliant job in putting them in a position to be a high-level team.”
The Trojans have defeated the Tigers before in an upset victory in 2004. After then-ranked No. 19 Missouri got out to a 14-0 lead in Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy would shut down the Tigers and shock the world by winning 24-14.
While the Trojans have never faced a SEC school in coach Parker’s tenure, he knows that this team can be prepared with the experience the coaches and transfer players have and can send a message if prepared right.
“Our staff has coached at places like this, our staff has coached in games like this on both sides,” Parker said. “Many of our players have played on those stages, and many have not.”
“I think for me, I want our players, our fanbase and the people closest to us along with the country to be able to look at our football team and associate a blue-collar approach, an edgy group that plays with urgency, execution and discipline.”
Missouri comes into this game after two dominating victories, with one at home against Arkansas Pine-Bluff and one on the road against Kansas. The team is led by fourth-year quarterback Austin Simmons, who is currently fourth in the SEC in passing yards.
As for Troy, the team also comes in 2-0 but, unlike Missouri, will be going on the road for the first time this season. Despite being undefeated through the first two games for the first time since 2013, Parker believes there is a major issue that needs to be removed within the Troy locker room heading into this week’s game.
“Everyone wants to sit in first class, and very few people want to pay for first class,” Parker said. “Everybody wants to be a starter and a contributor: not everyone wants to pay the price to be a starter and a contributor.
“That identity crisis that exists right now in some ways on our football team has got to be removed. It’s my job to remove it first and make sure that we put a product on the field that’s the standard of what we believe we should be here at Troy.”
The Trojans and Tigers face off on Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Missouri. The game will stream live on SEC Network+.
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