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Writer's pictureGavan Baxley

Battle for the Belt looms on the horizon


Brady Fitch photo Darrell Starling tackles Texas State quarterback Jordan McCloud during the midweek game.

Troy football travels down I-65 to take on rival South Alabama in the Battle for the Belt on Tuesday. Troy has come out on top in six consecutive matchups against the Jaguars.


It’s been a down year for both teams, to say the least. Troy enters with a 1-5 record while South Alabama is 2-4. Both teams may have active losing streaks, but records go out the window when rivals square off.


Troy leads the all-time series 9-3. The teams have played every season since 2012. It’s been an exciting sight whenever the relatively young yearly rivalry comes around. Five of the 12 games have been decided by one score.


The struggles of both teams root from the same issue: coaching changes. Troy filled the gap left by the now Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall with Gerad Parker while the Jags saw Kane Wommack make a late departure in February to take a defensive coordinator job at Alabama.


Replacing Wommack for South Alabama is Major Applewhite. Applewhite served as the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator for the last three years. His only previous head coaching experience was a two-year stint at Houston, where he went 17-15.


Applewhite has plenty of experience developing offenses as an assistant at powerhouses like Texas and Alabama, and it has shown at times this season. The Jags’ most notable victory was their 87-10 domination over Northwestern State, where they scored so much that the coaches agreed to shorten the fourth quarter to only six minutes.


On a two-game losing streak, quarterback Gio Lopez looks to get back on track for South Alabama. Lopez has 12 passing touchdowns,and two scores on the ground so far this year.


Lopez is a redshirt freshman but started one game last season - against Troy - where he was limited to 155 yards, no touchdowns and had one interception.


Troy’s defense will try to replicate the success against Lopez they had in the 28-10 win last season. However, the secondary has continued to struggle finding its legs. The Trojans have allowed 200 passing yards per game this year and have given up 28 or more points in four of the first six games.


Troy’s offense has yet to show true success. Wide receiver Devonte Ross has been the bright spot for the offense, but the spotlight will need to be larger if Troy wants to win a road rivalry matchup.


Running back Damien Taylor is someone who likely will have to be featured more in order for Troy to succeed. Taylor currently averages roughly six yards per carry, but he has only scored two touchdowns. He’s done this off 68 carries, about 11 per game. For reference, former Troy running back Kimani Vidal averaged 20 carries per game in 2023. Succeeding in the run game is crucial to giving the offense life.


It’s been said that in a rivalry, both teams could be winless going into the game, and as long as they win over their rival, it is considered a success. The Battle for the Belt is no different.


Troy will look for a seventh straight win over that school in Mobile, Alabama, when they play at Hancock-Whitney Stadium on ESPN2 next Tuesday.

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