Troy notebook: Trojans aim to remain physical on defense

TROY — A high number of penalties in recent games isn’t going to stop Troy from playing physical.

Troy, which hosts North Texas Saturday at 2:30 p.m., has committed double-digit penalties in the last four games, all of which were called by Sun Belt officials. The Trojans (4-2, 3-0) had just 10 in the first two games combined. In a recent 42-33 win at FIU, Troy committed 11 for 115 yards.

That won’t stop the defense from being aggressive, though.

“With or without the flags, we’re going to hit them,” linebacker Bear Woods said. “We try to enforce as much pain on the quarterback as we can without cheap shots. If they throw the flag, they throw it, if not then they won’t. On critical downs, we’ve got to have in mind to maybe not get the killer hit on the quarterback.”

Brown, Willis share weekly honors: Troy quarterback Levi Brown, who threw for 391 yards and three scores in the win over FIU, was named SBC Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this year. It might be time to start sharing the honor.

Offensive coordinator Neal Brown said wideout Jerrel Jernigan would have gotten the award if he hadn’t gotten the wind knocked out of him on the opening kickoff of the second half. He returned, but didn’t play much after five catches for 97 yards and a score in the first half.

“Yeah, I would have,” Jernigan said. “Nah, Coach Brown said that, not me.”

Bryan Willis, who had 11 tackles, eight solo, and an interception, shared defensive honors with UL-Monroe’s Troy Evans.

League mum on Adams’ ejection: The Sun Belt does not comment on suspensions or other disciplinary matters, but coaches are confident right guard Steven Adams won’t be suspended after being ejected in the first half of the win.

Coaches couldn’t find evidence of Adams kicking a player, as officials stated, on film. Head coach Larry Blakeney demonstrated what the film showed — an FIU player got out from under the pile quickly and caused Adams’ leg to go up in what looked like a kick to officials.

The league has determined that Adams’ ejection was not a fight, Blakeney said. It’s up to a Sun Belt official, likely commissioner Wright Waters, if Adams would have to miss this week’s game.

“This is not a penalty that should carry an extra game,” Blakeney said. “I saw it, and he didn’t kick anybody. Now they’re saying he stepped on him.”

Popular costume: Woods, who has the trademark dreadlocks and black face paint for games, said people were dressing up like him for Halloween. On that day, Troy hosts UL-Monroe, who is also unbeaten in league play, at 6 p.m.

“About four or five people told me they were doing the Bear look,” Woods said. “One of the girl trainers and a couple of the frat guys. The whole defense back home (at Baker County High School) did their face paint like I do, and I thought that was pretty cool.”