TROY — Troy’s offense set a school record with 736 total yards in a 65-0 drubbing of Alcorn State last week.
It didn’t leave offensive coordinator Neal Brown entirely happy. Among the lowlights were four turnovers, including two fumbles.
One came when receiver Andrew Davis lost the ball after an 18-yard pass reception. The other came when running back DuJuan Harris coughed the ball up for the second time this season.
That concerns Brown, even though Harris ran for 148 yards and scored three times in Troy’s season-opening win over Middle Tennessee Aug. 28.
“We can’t play backs who will put the ball on the ground,” Brown said. “He’s obviously one of our better players, so we’ve got to do a better job of coaching. We emphasize it a lot, but we’ve got to do a better job of emphasizing it more of using the fundamentals in the games.”
Harris said both fumbles this season were his fault, as he has a propensity for carrying the ball with just one hand in a crowd instead of protecting it with both
hands.
The Trojans (2-0) can’t have that today if they want to upset No. 13 Ohio State (2-1) in the 11 a.m. game at Columbus.
“It’s big,” Harris said. “We’ve got to eliminate all those turnovers because that could be the difference between a win and a loss.”
Harris expected punishment from running backs coach Chad Scott, but didn’t know what it would be.
“I’m up for it,” Harris said. “Whatever I’ve got to do to get better.”
Troy’s defense forced seven turnovers, including six interceptions. Sherrod Martin had three, Terence Moore two and KeJuan Phillips one.
“I was telling (defensive coordinator Jeremy Rowell) that as many turnovers as they’re getting, we’d lead the country in turnover ratio if we weren’t putting it on the ground,” Brown said.
Troy is 43rd nationally in that category, having forced nine turnovers while turning it over eight times. Five have come by the fumble.
Scoring touchdowns is also a necessity. Against Florida State in 2006 and Georgia last year, the Trojans squandered big opportunities while settling for field goals after forcing turnovers inside the opponents’ territory.
“We hung around the whole game both times, but our chances of winning let go,” Brown said. “You’ve got to score touchdowns when you get a chance.”
Injury report: Troy is expected to be healthy, while OSU left guard Steve Behrens (foot) and running back Beanie Wells (toe) are out.
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