Trojans crush Coastal Carolina to get first FBS win in the Gerad Parker era
Troy football snapped its four-game losing streak after a homecoming victory over Coastal Carolina on Saturday.
The win marks the first FBS win of head coach Gerad Parker’s career, and prevents a winless conference record for the Trojans, something the team has never had since joining in 2004.
“We’ve said to our players that there’s going to be a point in which Troy returns to being Troy,” Parker said, “We were close last week, but it happened here.”
A slow start on the opening drive for both teams did not deter the Trojans from getting out front. A 99-yard drive would put the Men of Troy ahead. That drive was wrapped up by a long Gerald Green run to the goal line, who would punch it in the following play.
Special teams were somewhat of an issue for Troy, as a blocked punt gave Coastal Carolina the ball in the red zone to tie the game at 7-7. The Trojans special teams were responsible for both a blocked punt and a fumbled kickoff return on the day.
The second quarter belonged to Matthew Caldwell, who led Troy to outscore the Chanticleers 21-0 thanks to three consecutive touchdown drives off two passing touchdowns, to Devonte Ross and Green, followed by a Caldwell dive into the endzone to head to the locker room up 28-7.
Coastal Carolina managed to fight back momentarily with a field goal and touchdown following a Troy fumble on a kickoff return to start the second half. The Trojans nursed their lead through the third quarter and the remainder of the game to win 38-24.The Troy offense had a different approach this time around. The team focused on the run game, with a total of 55 rush attempts for 342 yards.
Running backs Damien Taylor and Green had 190 and 123 yards, respectively, along with a rushing touchdown for each.
Caldwell got the start at quarterback and appeared more confident in the pocket. Although he was only 9-for-16 passing on the day, he had two touchdown passes, including a needle-threading pass to Ross in the corner of the endzone. Caldwell ended the day without a single turnover, something he has been plagued with in each of his starts this year.
Damaje Yancey led Troy’s defense with six tackles, including one sack and one TFL. Yancey also had three pass breakups, including on back-to-back plays that forced Coastal to a field goal. Brendan Jackon and Jahmal Williams also were heavy contributors with five tackles each.
Despite the 24 points allowed, the defense had an impressive showing. Special teams’ errors for Troy are what kept Coastal Carolina in it off the blocked punt and fumble.
The Trojans move to 2-7 on the year and 1-4 in the conference. Despite not being bowl eligible, the team has an opportunity to put together a run now to prove what a Parker-led team is capable of in the following years as the team becomes more experienced.
Troy gets the week off before it will go on the road again to face Georgia Southern Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. The Trojans will return home one more time after a two-game road trip to face Southern Miss Nov. 30.
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