Troy at a glance

Shawn Southward rushed for 623 yards on 155 carries, seven touchdowns and averaged 5.4 yards per carry a season ago. (Photos: Icon SMI)

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Fri Aug 26 13:37:24 GMT-04:00 2011

CLEMSON- Spot the ball? Yes, please, because the wait is killing us.

There is a little more than a week left until TigerTown turns orange with tents and car flags, the grills heat up, the band marches toward Death Valley, and the Tigers run down The Hill to begin the 2011 season.

The first opponent for Chad Morris’ offense and a rebuilt Clemson defense are the Troy Trojans, a team that has won five consecutive Sun Belt Conference Championships and are no strangers to playing the big boys in the BCS conferences, taking Oklahoma St. to the wire in 2010.

The Trojans actually led Oklahoma St. 27-20 at halftime and were looking to beat the Cowboys for the second time in four years – they beat OSU 41-23 at Troy in 2007 – before Oklahoma St. rallied for a 41-38 victory.

Troy is expected to once again lead the way in the Sun Belt, and here is a quick look at Clemson’s first opponent.

OFFENSE

The key to Troy’s offense will be how well sophomore quarterback Corey Robinson continues to improve. The 2010 Sunbelt Conference Freshman of the Year threw for 3,726 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Robinson isn’t big, and his 2010 campaign got off to a rocky start when he threw 11 interceptions in one five game stretch, but he ended the season with three 300-yard games and only one interception. Against the Cowboys, he threw for 272 yards but struggled at South Carolina, when he was just 22-for-38 for 158 yards and two interceptions.

Joining Robinson in the backfield will be Shawn Southward and Chris Anderson, who make the most of their limited carries in the pass-first Troy offense. Southward is a 5-8, 189-pound junior who is a threat at running back and as a wide receiver. He rushed for 623 yards on 155 carries, seven touchdowns and averaged 5.4 yards per carry a season ago, while catching 13 passes for 190 yards and a couple of scores. Southward won’t put the ball in jeopardy very often - as he has never fumbled the ball in his 225 career carries.

The biggest question mark on the offense is at wide receiver as Troy has to replace the top two receivers from a year ago. Chip Reeves, a 5-11, 169 pound junior looks to be one of the go-to- guys this year. He has the speed to stretch defenses and make plays on the deep ball. He had 30 catches for 515 yards - 17.2 yards per catch. Junior Corey Johnson, senior Brett Moncrief, sophomore Eric Thomas, and junior Jaquon Robinson will join Reeves in seeing the majority of the playing time.

The Trojan offensive line will be led by James Brown, a big [6-4, 329] left tackle who is a two-year starter and has played almost every snap in his 26 consecutive starts. The Outland Trophy candidate averaged five knockdown blocks per game last year. Expect the Trojans to run the ball behind left guard Kyle Wilborn, the 6-4, 311 pound junior. Junior right guard Jacob Creech started two games last season before being sidelined with a shoulder injury that kept him out through the spring. Zach Swindall will try to replace Tyler Clark, the star of the offensive line in 2010, at center.

DEFENSE

The Trojan defense didn’t exactly shut down opposing offenses as they allowed 245 passing yards per game, worst in the Sun Belt, while the run defense wasn’t much better. However, they do return eight starters and the hopes are that this unit improves in 2011.

The defensive line will be anchored by junior defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi, brother or former Georgia wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi. He is a speed rusher who had 76 tackles, 13.5 sacks, and 20.5 tackles for loss. He isn’t big – weighing in at just 250 pounds - but has the speed and athleticism to get to the quarterback in a hurry. He will be joined by a veteran group in senior Emanuel Dudley (6-1, 305), junior Tony Davis (6-0, 255), and senior John Robles (6-3, 255).

The linebacker corps is a mixture of veterans and young players. This group is small and quick and has to prove that it can stand up to the rigors of a big offensive line that likes to run the ball. Leading the way is senior Xavier Lamb (5-9, 226) who led the team with 91 tackles and tallied 7.5 tackles for loss in 2010. Junior Brannon Bryan will return at WILL linebacker after he took over mid-way through last season, finishing with 24 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss.

Kannoris Davis (5-9, 203) will play the SAM and a combination of Johnny Thompson (6-0, 217) and Jacoby Thomas (6-0, 245) will play the nickel back or fourth linebacker position.

The secondary, which was a notable weakness last year, returns three starters and should be improved based on experience alone. Junior KeJuan Phillips returns at one corner spot, where he had 36 tackles and six pass break ups a year ago. Manning the other corner position is Jimmie Anderson, a 5-8, 160-pound senior, who led the team with three interceptions.

At safety ,the Trojans will have strong safety LaDarrius Madden and free safety Cameron Hudson. Madden burst on the scene last year after transferring from Lambuth University. He had 49 tackles and three interceptions. Hudson will battle sophomore reserve Barry Valcin, who missed last year with a broken ankle, for playing time at the free spot.

Special Teams

Senior Michael Taylor will handle kicking duties, hitting 17-of-22 field goals last year. Will Goggans averaged 42.2 yards per punt and pinned an amazing 20 kicks inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. Unfortunately for Goggans, his coverage team allowed returners to average 11.1 yards and also allowed two touchdowns.

Head coach: Larry Blakeney

21st year: 161-82-1

Returning Lettermen: Offense 23, Defense 23, Special Teams 3; Lettermen Lost: 22

TROY SCHEDULE

Sept. 3 at Clemson

Sept. 10 OPEN DATE

Sept. 17 at Arkansas

Sept. 24 Middle Tenn.

Oct. 1 UAB

Oct. 8 at Louisiana

Oct. 15 ULM

Oct. 25 at FIU