Troy stomps North Texas

DENTON, Texas — Troy dominated North Texas in most statistics but fought through a sluggish effort with numerous penalties and lost two more key players to an injury.

At least the Trojans are taking a 45-17 win back to Alabama, but it may be at a crucial cost. Sophomore wideout Jerrel Jernigan, Troy’s top playmaker on offense, suffered a right knee injury late in the second quarter. Jernigan and players think it’s a sprained knee.

It’s also feared that backup quarterback Tanner Jones is lost for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, but MRIs on Monday will determine the severity of both injuries.

“We can’t afford much more at any position,” Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said. “We’re in trouble in that regard. I hope Jerrel is not seriously hurt. They didn’t think he was. (For Jones) they think it’s ACL.”

Troy (5-2, 4-0 Sun Belt) held starting center Danny Franks (ankle) and linebacker Bear Woods (foot) out of the game. Jamie Hampton, the original starting quarterback, and starting defensive end Kenny Mainor have already been lost for the year with knee injuries.

Jernigan’s came on a 6-yard reception late in the first half a play after Kennard Burton was pulled down for a 12-yard loss when he tried to make a play.

“I was going across the middle,” Jernigan said. “I was planting and the guy grabbed me from the back and my knee went inside. I just remember it started
hurting. It was just a football play.

“I think I’ll be back. I don’t know, I probably won’t play next week (at UL-Monroe). I’m hoping to play, but they’ll probably take it lightly. I’m hoping to be back next week.”

Jones’ came on his only play of the game. He started the second half at quarterback, threw to the right to Jonathan Chandler, a former quarterback himself, who threw back to Jones. Jones took it 48 yards down the left sideline, but his right knee was planted when he was hit.

“It was adrenaline,” Jones said of running off the field after the play. “It happened on that beautiful corner connection with me and my roommate J.C. I don’t know if it’s ACL, MCL or a sprain. One of those words.”

Offensive coordinator Neal Brown drew up the trick play with Troy leading just 25-7. DuJuan Harris later scored from a yard out.

“It was something positive to get him going because he’s worked so hard in practice,” Brown said. “He deserved to get some playing time, and then he gets hurt on the play.”

Brown said that Jonathan Chandler would move back to quarterback and split time there and at receiver, his current position. Dantavious Parker, the true freshman who gave up his redshirt last week, is now the bona fide No. 2.

The injuries overshadowed a career night from Levi Brown, making his second start at quarterback. He hit 40-of-50 passes for 391 yards and two scores. The 40 completions are a school record.

Brown was 5-for-5 for 80 yards on the first drive, which ended in Parker’s 1-yard touchdown run. Brown later threw a 6-yard scoring pass to Jernigan and a 29-yard touchdown pass to Mykeal Terry late that gave Troy its final margin.

“Our O-line did a great job,” Levi Brown said. “That makes it easy on me when I can stand back there and look around all day.”

Against the winless Mean Green (0-8, 0-4), Troy wasn’t perfect. The Trojans had 94 yards of penalties called on them, compared to UNT’s 47. Troy went 4-of-12 on third downs and sputtered after Jernigan’s injury.

“He’s a pretty good player,” Blakeney said. “It sorta puts you in a state of shock. Normally it’s like pulling out teeth when you’re favored. Those guys that play for us read the same Internet and the lines (spreads on games).”

Troy was up 22-0 early after a 1-yard run from Harris, 28-yard field goal from Sam Glusman, who missed a field goal and three extra points on the night, and Jernigan’s 6-yard touchdown reception, but the Trojans were never in danger of losing the game.

Jorrick Calvin returned a kickoff 95 yards for a score for Troy’s other touchdown.

Troy outgained UNT 439-246. Donnell Golden, Xavier Lamb and Jorrick Calvin all intercepted UNT quarterback Giovanni Vizza. Brandon Lang had 3.5 tackles for loss.

Jernigan caught nine passes for 123 yards before leaving with injury.

First quarter
12:03 Troy 6, UNT 0: Dantavious Parker 1 run (PAT missed). 8 plays, 82 yards, 2:57. Key play: Jerrel Jernigan’s 43-yard reception to the UNT 20.

6:25 Troy 9, UNT 0: Sam Glusman 28 FG. 15 plays, 78 yards, 5:07. Key play: Trojans couldn’t convert from first and goal.

1:47 Troy 15, UNT 0: DuJuan Harris 1 run (PAT blocked). 9 plays, 62 yards, 3:13. Key play: Donnell Golden’s interception set up the drive.

Second quarter
11:49 Troy 22, UNT 0: Jernigan 6 pass from Levi Brown (Glusman PAT). 8 plays, 65 yards, 2:21. Key play: The TD, where Brown waited, waited and waited before throwing to Jernigan, who made a sliding catch.

8:05 Troy 22, UNT 7: Casey Fitzgerald 32 pass from Giovanni Vizza (Jeremy Knott PAT). 11 plays, 92 yards, 3:44. Key play: Roughing the punter was called when the punter got touched and fell over, giving UNT a first down to the 29.

0:14 Troy 25, UNT 7: Glusman 24 FG. 10 plays, 73 yards, 2:51. Key play: Kennard Burton lost 12 yards when he tried to make something happen on a run.

Third quarter
12:59 Troy 32, UNT 7: Harris 1 run (Glusman PAT). 3 plays, 49 yards, 1:47. Key play: Jonathan Chandler threw a pass back to quarterback Tanner Jones, who took it 48 yards to the UNT 2.

Fourth quarter
11:59 Troy 32, UNT 10: Knott 46 FG. 9 plays, 35 yards, 3:57. Key play: A dropped INT kept the drive alive.

11:46 Troy 39, UNT 10: Jorrick Calvin 95 kickoff return (Glusman PAT).

6:50 Troy 39, UNT 17: Cam Montgomery 7 run (Knott PAT). 15 plays, 76 yards 4:56. Key play: The touchdown.

5:32 Troy 45, UNT 17: Terry 29 pass from Brown (PAT missed). 3 plays, 42 yards, 1:18. Key play: The touchdown.