Tuesday link, radio appearance

August 31, 2009

By Drew Champlin

I wrote this long notebook on a variety of things for today’s paper

This quote from linebacker Donnell Golden on preparation for Bowling Green stood out to me

“We don’t know anything,” Golden said. “We’ve practiced for every formation that they could throw at us. It’s like a blind date. You never know until you get there.”

Also, I’ll be on the radio at 9:30 a.m. on Sportsline with Barry and John. You can listen HERE.

Monday notes plus video

By Drew Champlin

Some stuff to talk about from Monday’s press conference

***As of this morning, no word on Sidell Corley‘s eligibility, but coaches are preparing him like he’ll play Thursday. He is listed on the travel roster and they hope to hear something in the next couple of days.

***Defensive coordinator Jeremy Rowell said the starting cornerback opposite redshirt freshman Bryan Willis is undecided, though there’s a good chance KeJuan Phillips, Barry Valcin and Justin Bray all play. Phillips is listed as a starter

***The two kickoff returners will be Jerrel Jernigan and Maurce Greer, special teams coach Shayne Wasden said. Also with more teams going to the rugby, Troy could send two punt returners out a lot. That would be Cornelius Williams and TeBiarus Gill.

***Daniel Sheffield is your likely starter at one LB spot because David McDowell has been hurt, but McDowell returned to practice Saturday (as did Donnell Golden) and both will play.

***Mr. Ho gave Levi Brown the nickname “Three Notch Levi” in comparison to “Broadway Joe” Namath. Three Notch Road is to Troy as Broadway is to New York.

***Sources close to the situation confirm that Bear Woods still has his dreadlocks.

***Notable names not on the travel roster for the first game: TE Gavin Ellis, RB T.J. Mitchell, RB Greg Pratt, DB Sergio Perez, LB Johnny Thompson, DB Mike Robinson, DB Caleb Massey, DL Tony Davis, DT Aaron Williams, DT Shermane Teart, OL Jimmie Arnold, OL Jacob Creech, WR Felton Payton,  WR Anthony Williams, DE Antonio Harper, OL Cody Jenkins

Most of those guys are slated to redshirt this year, and this list could change. Also note that LB Bear Woods is ineligible for the first two games and OL Tyler Graves for the first three. I surely hope you guys knew that by now, but Donnell Golden starts at LB in place of Woods. QB Tanner Jones, RB Nate Nolin and DT Rashad Roussell are injured.

Here’s a video with Levi

 

MAC Conference Call update

By Drew Champlin

It was Levi Brown Day on the MAC conference call, as Bowling Green coach Dave Clawson was asked a few questions about Troy’s senior quarterback. Clawson recruited Brown to Richmond and coached him for two seasons before Brown transferred to Troy.

Here’s some of what he had to say

“It’s ironic. I’ve certainly followed him as his career’s gone on. I knew he was a talented player and that’s why we offered him a scholarship. For Levi it was about finding the right fit and Troy’s offense fits his skill set to a T.“

“He’s a talent and he’s developed more as an athlete. He looks faster and more athletic. I’m not suprised at all (at what he’s done at Troy). We knew he was a good player.“

“He was a hard worker and was a very big recruit for us. He started as a true freshman, but the offense developed in a way that, because of the amount of good running backs we had, including Tim Hightower of the Arizona Cardinals, that we got into a situation where the quarterback was going to run a lot more. (Richmond’s other QB made the Jets as a fullback). Levi wanted to be in an offense that threw the ball 40-50 times a game and he found that at Troy.“

“Levi wanted to be the starter and was frustrated, but handled it with great class and continued to prepare himself well. When he left we shook hands and I wished him the best.“

Clawson went on to say how good of a QB Levi had developed into, but said he hope his good fortunes don’t continue Thursday.

I asked Clawson what he thought about Troy

“First of all, they have great team speed. ... They run very well, their quarterback is very accurate and they have a number of good weapons on offense. We think Jernigan is a really outstanding player and they get him the ball a number of ways. I’m impressed with their two defensive ends. Lang and Sheffield are probably as good as we’ll face all year. Boris Lee really shows up on film as well.“

Monday link

By Drew Champlin

Finally, football game week is here. And I’m glad it’s a short one.

To start the week off, HERE is a story I wrote on the young defensive backs getting ready for a challenge.

I’m going to try to tune in to the MAC coaches teleconference and see if Bowling Green head coach Dave Clawson has anything interesting to say. If so, I’ll post on the blog.

Monday is also media day at Troy, so if anything interesting comes out of it, I’ll post on the blog. I may twitter it from my phone, so don’t miss any of that and follow me on twitter at twitter.com/dothaneagletroy (link is also on the right below my mug).

I think the earth-shattering stuff has passed, but you never know in the world of college athletics.

Not much information is out there regarding Bowling Green, but HERE is what the Toledo Blade wrote before practices start. Included is a note on top returning wideout Freddie Barnes
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Also, I was informed by a faithful reader of the blog of another good local place to eat in Toledo, if you are staying there for the game. The team is at the Crowne Plaza.

Tony Packos has been serving hungarian food since 1932 and was made famous by its references on the TV show M.A.S.H. It has a few locations in or around Toledo. Might have to check it out Wednesday night and get some of those famous stuffed breadsticks from Campus Polleyes in Bowling Green earlier in the day Thursday.

Sunday reading

August 29, 2009

By Drew Champlin

Back to the Troy football grind. I wrote this story on senior wide receiver Zack Marcum, who should see an increase in production this year.

Monday’s story will focus on the inexperienced defensive backs. Here’s a quote that I didn’t get in for the defensive backs story, which will talk about how inexperienced defensive backs are working to replace ineligible Jorrick Calvin and the fact teams will probably throw early and often at them.

“Right now we’re facing adversity,“ safety Courtland Fuller said. “Jorrick was the main player for what we’re tryin to do, but we’ve got to move on. (Bryan) Willis is a little quiet but he’s ready to get the job done. KeJuan (Phillips) is pretty good. He’s more experienced and he knows what to do. (Justin) Bray has played here before. Barry (Valcin) continues to get better every day.“