Postgame links, some brief thoughts
October 18, 2009
***Will be on the road all day, so won’t be able to check what’s going on in the world.
First off, HERE is my game story and HERE is my notebook.
***Lots of complaining from fans about the penalties being called, and it sounds like they’re not too off-base. I think the roughing the passer call on Brandon Lang was a bad call. It set up a FIU TD. I also think Dan Parker was down before he fumbled, but could be wrong about that one. Also, if coaches and players are right in how they described Steve Adams’ ejection, then the officials were wrong with that call too (see the notebook linked above).
***It’s not just Sun Belt officiating. It seems like college officials all over the country are flat out screwing up (see Arkansas vs. Florida). All you can ask is for the Trojans to play physical, and they are. What really hurt Troy tonight was the fumbles, not the penalties.
***The last play of the game, where FIU scored, set a bunch of people off. Supposedly, after 3rd down, there was 38 seconds left in the game and the play clock was supposed to start at 40, meaning Troy shouldn’t have had to run another play. Well, the clock didn’t start and the officials got the clock guys to start the play clock at 25. At that point, I’m not sure why Troy didn’t just (a) run around for four seconds or (b)punt, but I’ll see if I can find out more Monday. Grand scheme of things, not that big of a deal, but there were a lot of people on the Troy side angry with how that was handled.
***Jerrel Jernigan looked fantastic in the first half. On the opening kickoff of the second half, he got hit in the head on a late hit on the kick return, which was called. He was woozy and didn’t play much after that. He’s fine, though.
***Levi Brown threw the ball really well and, with 391 yards, should win league Player of the Week honors for the third out of four weeks. I’d say he’s the runaway favorite for SBC Player of the Year honors if Troy keeps playing like this. He’s gone around 140 pass attempts without an interception.
***I thought Zack Marcum made some very tough catches, one that prevented an interception, and Josh Jarboe looked good running that long ball down. TeBiarus Gill is still hobbled, it seems, and it was evident after that touchdown catch. Ankle sprains are no fun.
***North Texas is better than it was last year, but I’d be surprised if the Mean Green stay within four touchdowns of Troy.
***Basketball practice has started. I’ll have more on that next week, but Troy should be a contender. But don’t be surprised if the first part of the schedule doesn’t go as hoped. The road schedule looks brutal early with 8 games in a row away from Troy.
