Troy players still upset at FAU

TROY — Troy players are steamed at actions of Florida Atlantic players at what they say happened when quarterback Jamie Hampton went down with a season-ending injury.

Late in the third quarter of Troy’s 30-17 win, Hampton went left and was met by two FAU defenders. A low hit by FAU’s Robert St. Clair appeared to cause the injury, which was a tear of two knee ligaments.

Wideout Kennard Burton saw the replay of the hit and thought Hampton’s knee buckled before St. Clair’s hit, but it was the actions of FAU players afterwards that drew his ire.

“They were celebrating after he hurt it, saying he was out for the season,” Burton said. “None of us appreciated it. They showed that they didn’t have any class and that’s why they are where they are, 1-5, because they’re not coachable.”

FAU has been the disappointment of the Sun Belt. Picked as an overwhelming favorite to win the league, the Owls are 0-2 in conference play.

Later, center Danny Franks was rolled into when FAU’s Daniel Joseph tackled Troy running back DuJuan Harris. There were no dirty allegations on that play. Franks suffered a high ankle sprain.

“It was just unfortunate,” Franks said.

Franks backed his teammate’s comments on FAU players’ behavior after the hit to Hampton.

“They got up laughing, saying ‘Your season’s done now,’ stuff like that,” Franks said. “It’s a game, obviously, but when you hurt somebody, that’s not something you want. That made everybody mad.”

Franks said he wasn’t sure who made the comment after Hampton’s hit.

“I distinctly remember someone saying ‘We’re glad you’re out for the season,’” Franks said. “They’re a good team. I can’t take anything away from them, but I don’t believe in any of that kind of stuff. It’s a war, but it’s a game. To wish harm on somebody, I don’t think that’s right.”

SBC associate commissioner John McElwain confirmed that the conference apologized to FAU and St. Clair after it was revealed on a Player of the Week nomination that St. Clair “delivered a bulls-eye to Hampton’s knee” and was involved with Franks’ injury.

FAU head coach Howard Schnellenberger didn’t comment on the issue on the weekly SBC teleconference.

“It’s always a tragedy when a player of a football team, particularly a quarterback who is having a great game and is carrying his football team very well, gets an injury,” Schnellenberger said, as reported by the Palm Beach Post.

Troy head coach Larry Blakeney declined comment on the issue Monday evening.