Troy heads west to take on Utah State
After falling 27-17 to No. 20 Missouri on Saturday, the Trojans prepare for another road test as they head to the mountains to take on the Utah State Aggies.
In the matchup this past Saturday, the Trojans outgained the Tigers, having 323 yards to Missouri’s 230 yards. Troy would also dominate the time of possession. However, turnovers and field position proved to be the difference-maker in the game.
“We gave them the football on the 34-yard line, the 18-yard line, the 13-yard line and gave up a punt return for a touchdown, losing turnover margin by two and lost by 10 points with a missed field goal, that would have got it to seven,” said head coach Gerad Parker. “I'm not pleased by that; you can't win any game like that.
“It doesn't matter if it's an SEC opponent, a PAC-12 opponent or a Sun Belt opponent; you can't win games losing turnover margin by two and giving teams that good of field position.”
However, Troy’s defense shined in the loss against Missouri, holding the Tigers to only 108 passing yards in the game and three points in the second half.
“I thought Troy was the more physical football team for four quarters, and I thought Missouri fought back and played physical,” Parker said. “I think that for four quarters, we were at that party, and when you do that and play that connected, it gives you a chance to play high-level defense and high-level football.”
One player who stepped up for the Trojans was fifth-year safety Justin Powe. Powe finished with a career-high 14 tackles.
“I played with a lot of confidence and was just ready to lay it all out on the line to help my team whatever way I could,” Powe said.
On offense, wideout TK Keyes had a 76-yard reception in the game against the Tigers, making him only one of two players in the nation with multiple 70-plus-yard receptions. Keyes credits his success on the field to his connection with quarterback Goose Crowder.
“It's an emphasis in practice,” Keyes said. “Goose and I stay out there, run routes and build a connection.
“In the spring, I wasn't there; I was injured, so any extra work that we could get, we took advantage of it.”
Meanwhile, for the Aggies, they feature a familiar opponent for the Trojans in wide receiver Javon Robinson, who transferred from Georgia State. Last season against the Trojans, Robinson had 142 yards and a touchdown.
“They've got a wide-out transfer from Georgia State that's a slot that went off on us last year,” Parker said. “They're good in the skilled positions once they get going.”
Utah State is seeking its first win of the season after falling to then No. 19-ranked Washington and No. 17 Utah. Troy holds the series record over the Aggies, 2-1, with this being the teams' first matchup since 2004, when Troy won 49-21.
Utah State is using the matchup with Troy as homecoming. Kickoff between the two teams is set for 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday at Maverick Stadium. For the fans who are not traveling with the Trojans, the game will be on the CBS Sports Network.
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