From the other side, ULM edition

October 28, 2008

By Drew Champlin

I normally post these later in the week, but if you’re making the trip, you can get some dining suggestions. I’ll be there, of course, and hope to host another live blog/chat type depending on the Internet situation in Monroe. I’m going to use a different format, if I can, to where more people can come in and chat, but it won’t be archived. If that doesn’t work, we’ll use what I used last week.

Thanks to Paul J. Letlow of the Monroe News Star for his help.

1. I picked ULM to win the league. Was I just way off-base, or have other factors contributed to the Warhawks’ 1-3 record?

Through academics and injuries, ULM lost a number of players expected to contribute—both before and during the season. Notably, starting wide receiver LaGregory Sapp flunked off, along with cornerback Tay Ogletree (listed second team before the season). Defensive starters lost to injury include safety James Truxillo and defensive end Alaric Coleman. Injuries also took key defensive backups like Travis Eickman and juco transfer Troy Giddens.

ULM’s biggest concern coming in to the year was rebuilding the offensive line, which had been a team strength in recent seasons. The unit hasn’t come around as hoped.

2. With fewer than 10,000 fans there last week, have fans given up? What kind of crowd should be there Saturday?

The game could be a hard sell. I’d be surprised if this week’s crowd is any bigger.

3. Seems like ULM plays better at the end, after the conference title hopes are gone. Do you expect that to be the case this year?

ULM plays well in spots, but this is a team that is doing just enough to lose. Despite an awful defensive performance, ULM was within striking distance against ULL. ULM missed opportunities to beat Arkansas State. And last week, ULM blew a 21-point lead against Florida Atlantic.  ULM had a chance to win all three of those games.

4. What kind of problems could ULM cause Troy on either side of the ball?
ULM still has potent offensive weapons. Kinsmon Lancaster is the most experienced quarterback in the Sun Belt and a dual-threat. His favorite target is Darrell McNeal, who is often utilized on trick plays as a runner or thrower.

Defensively, linebacker Cardia Jackson and Josh Thompson are piling up big tackle numbers. Free safety Greg James is a ballhawk who is closing in on the school record for picks.

5. For fans staying in Monroe, where’s a good local place to eat?
For a unique and quality meal, try the Waterfront Grill near campus.Steak and seafood, and nothing fried. That would be my first choice for a dinner out. Danken Trail barbeque and Ray’s PeGe are popular and good lunch options. And of course, Johnny’s Pizza is a local favorite too.

6. If you’re comfortable, predict a score
Troy 42, ULM 31

Tuesday links

October 27, 2008

By Drew Champlin

DOTHAN EAGLE: Troy’s bad streak of injuries continue

Supposed to be on SportsLine with John and Barry around 8:40 a.m. CST. Those in the Montgomery area can listen on 740 AM. Heck, it even stretches to Dothan, but barely.

May have more links later.

AP voter speaks

By Drew Champlin

I e-mailed Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who voted Troy at No. 21 in this week’s AP poll. Those made up the five votes Troy got. Here’s what he had to say.

“Troy very well may be a top 25 team, but my vote was more an indictment of the rest of the teams from the BCS conferences. It’s been so hard for me to find worthy teams in recent weeks. With the Big East and ACC stinking up the joint this year, I figured I’d go with a mid-major to round out my final few slots on my ballot. I went through the standings Sunday morning and came upon Troy’s two “quality” losses and saw it was unbeaten in league play and said, ‘Why not?‘ I feel a lot better about giving Troy my vote than, say, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Pitt or South Florida.“

Monday injury update

By Drew Champlin

Back from Country’s BBQ. If you’re a twitter follower, you got my update on Jernigan. But that was just his side of the story. Here’s what I posted as an online update

TROY – The MRIs on Troy wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan and quarterback Tanner Jones came back on Monday. Jones is out for the year with torn knee ligaments, and Jernigan’s MRI revealed a bone bruise on his right knee. Both were injured in Saturday’s 45-17 win at North Texas.

The sophomore wideout, second in the conference in receiving, is questionable for Saturday’s game at UL-Monroe. He says he’ll play, but coaches are listing him as questionable. (EDIT - on first twitter update I sent out, it was because Jernigan said he’d play. We hadn’t talked to coaches yet. As you can see below, his chances for Saturday are slim. The ULM game isn’t the most important one - right now the ULL game is because ULM isn’t going to catch Troy in the standings. Obviously ULL and Ark State are the top two. Based on what coaches said, I’d be surprised if he DID play this week. Sorry for any confusion earlier.)

“He’s a breed apart, but I don’t know if he can overcome this injury by Saturday,” Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said. “I know we’ll do everything we can within the realm of modern medicine to help him, but there’s only so much he can do.”

Offensive coordinator Neal Brown said that “if it’s close, we won’t play him,” in regards to Jernigan. Senior Gerald Tate would start at the H-receiver spot in Jernigan’s spot.

Center Danny Franks (ankle) should play Saturday, but he hasn’t practiced in two weeks. Wideout Patrick Cherry (ankle) didn’t play at North Texas, but is expected back this week. On defense, linebackers Bear Woods (ankle) and Chris Bowens (ankle), who didn’t play against UNT, are questionable for this week’s game.

OTHER NOTES: Blakeney and kicker Sam Glusman said it was bad form that caused him to miss two extra points against UNT (a third one was blocked). They’ll get it corrected. It was a problem Glusman had in preseason before he got it out of his system. The one that was blocked wasn’t Glusman’s fault, Blakeney said. They shot up the gap at right guard and center. Glusman’s trajectory on kicks has always been good, so it wasn’t a problem.

Jonathan Chandler will battle Dantavious Parker for the No. 2 spot, but Chandler will still work at WR, Neal Brown said.

Troy sweeps Player of the Week honors

By Drew Champlin

Troy’s 45-17 win brought some Sun Belt honors.

Levi Brown’s 393 yards passing got him Offensive Player of the Week. He still has yet to turn the ball over in his two starts (78 throws). Jorrick Calvin (9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, INT) got Defensive Player of the Week AND his 95-yard kickoff return for a score got him Special Teams Player of the Week. He had 188 all-purpose yards, a game high, despite touching the ball just eight times.

I’ll head to Troy in about 30 minutes. If I hear anything on the medical updates on Jerrel Jernigan and Tanner Jones, I’ll post here but if I’m not around my computer, I can get the update on twitter at twitter.com/dothaneagletroy. Go sign up there, follow me, and you can get updates sent to your e-mail or cell phone.