Preview: Troy
This is the fifth of a series previewing LSU’s 12 opponents in the 2017 season.
The Troy football program took a huge dip a few years ago.
The Trojans endured four straight non-winning seasons under veteran coach Larry Blakeney. Troy won just 12 Sun Belt conference games in that four-year stretch. Neal Brown stepped in for Blakeney, who resigned following the 2014 season.
Under Brown, the Trojans went 4-8 in 2015. But, Troy had the biggest turnaround in the country one year later. The Trojans won ten games, including a bowl game. A four-point loss at Georgia Southern in the regular-season finale cost Troy a share of the league title.
Now, the expectations are much higher going into Brown’s third season. The Trojans, who are picked second to Appalachian State in the Sun Belt, will have a very formidable offense. Only one back or receiver does not return.
“Almost all of our offensive production is back,” said Brown, a former offensive coordinator at Kentucky. “Talent is more important than experience, but you can have a special season if you have experienced talent. We have to meet the expectations early on.
“We are opening up at Boise, the premier Group of Five program. What we didn’t accomplish last year was winning a conference championship. We have to be more explosive in the passing game and we have to run the ball against good defenses.”
Troy averaged 34 points and 430 yards per game last season. The Trojans were beaten by just six points at Clemson early in the season. Troy put up 24 points and gained 386 yards against the Tigers. The director of the Trojans offense is back – quarterback Brandon Silvers, a four-year starter.
A season ago, Silvers completed 64 percent of his passes while throwing for nearly 3,200 yards and 23 touchdowns. Silvers has passed for almost 7,500 yards in his Troy career.
“Being comfortable with the offense was the difference from 2015 to 2016,” Silvers said. “I understood how coach Brown works and how he wants things run. All of our skill players are returning. The expectations are high.
“We have to take it one day at a time. You have to go out there and play every game like it’s your last. Just because you are ranked second in the conference doesn’t matter. Last year, we finished a lot better than what we were ranked in the preseason.”
Brown is quite confident that Silvers will continue to build upon his outstanding junior campaign.
“As Brandon as matured off the field, his in-game decision-making has improved,” Brown said. “His release is what separates him from other quarterbacks. We were first in sacks allowed because Brandon gets the ball out so fast. Now, he has to play a consistent level in the big games.”
The Trojans return a 1,000-yard rusher in Jordan Chunn and two receivers who caught at least 60 passes – Emanuel Thompson and Deondre Douglas. There will be a concern about the offensive line with just two returning starters.
Troy’s defense is run by Vic Koenning, whose name had been mentioned as a LSU coordinator in recent years. Trojans opponents averaged 367 yards and 22 points per game in 2016. Troy returns six defensive starters – including three in the secondary.
“We didn’t defend the pass great last year, but we got a lot of interceptions (22) and put pressure on the quarterback (29 sacks),” Brown said. “We’ve got to put pressure on the quarterback. That’s our biggest question whether we’ll put pressure schematically or by winning one-on-one battles up front.”
Safeties Kris Weatherspoon and Cedarius Rookard are the top defensive playmakers. Defensive tackle Jamal Stadom is the one lineman who can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
LSU vs. Troy
Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge
Saturday, Sept. 30
Kickoff: TBA; Television: TBA
Troy fast facts
Head coach: Neal Brown (third year, 14-11)
2016 record: 10-3, 6-2 (tied for third in Sun Belt Conference); beat Ohio in the Dollar General Bowl
Returning starters: 14; 8 on offense, 6 on defense
Top players: WR Emanuel Thompson, Sr., WR Deondre Douglas, Jr., OT Steven Rowzee, Sr., G Tristan Crowder, So., C Deontae Crumitie, Jr., QB Brandon Silvers, Sr., RB Jordan Chunn, Sr., DE Jamal Stadom, Sr., DE Baron Poole, Sr., LB AJ Smiley, So., CB Blace Brown, Jr., S Kris Weatherspoon, Sr., KR Jabir Daughtry-Frye, So., PR Cedarius Rookard, Jr.
Troy returning statistical leaders
RB Jordan Chunn, Sr.: 279 carries, 1,288 yards, 16 touchdowns
QB Brandon Silvers, Sr.: 460 attempts, 293 completions, 3,180 yards, 23 touchdowns, 12 interceptions
WR Emanuel Thompson, Sr.: 80 catches, 820 yards, 6 touchdowns
S Kris Weatherspoon, Sr.: 52 tackles, 7½ tackles-for-loss, 8 pass breakups
S Cedarius Rookard, Jr.: 52 tackles
DE Jamal Stadom, Sr.: 7½ tackles-for-loss
DE Baron Poole, Sr.: 3½ sacks
CB Blace Brown, Jr.: 6 interceptions
CB Kamryn Melton, Sr.: 8 pass breakups
Next: Florida