Troy will open up the gates to a big ACC offensive powerhouse, the Duke Blue Devils, this Saturday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m.
The Trojans previously faced off against Duke in the 2013 season, but that was on the Blue Devil’s home turf.
Duke struggled to stop Troy’s offensive chemistry of 2013, allowing the Trojans to gain 150 rushing yards and 362 passing yards.
Troy has home field advantage this time though where under head coach Larry Blakeney, they are 98-19-1.
The Trojans put up a fight against a very good Duke team last year, but fell short in a 38-31 shootout.
Unfortunately, Troy doesn’t have the experience of previous quarterback Corey Robinson to lead the offense nor do they have the overall chemistry of last season’s offense.
The offense started off with an explosive play last week against UAB with a great run from sophomore running back Jordan Chunn on the first drive of the game to go up 7-0, but failed to keep the momentum going.
The Trojan offense struggled as the game went on, converting on only five of 16 third down situations and only rushing for 70 yards.
The defense struggled as well allowing UAB to convert on nine of 13 third down conversions and allowing 338 rushing yards.
Troy still brings some veteran talent to the table such as senior wide receiver Chandler Worthy, junior running back Brandon Burks, and junior free safety Montres Kitchens; however, they also have a lot of young players in key positions.
The Blue Devils also have plenty of returning talent this year including senior quarterback Anthony Boone, redshirt senior running back Josh Snead, and senior wide receiver Jamison Crowder after finishing 10-2 (6-2 ACC) in the 2013 regular season and making it to the ACC championship game.
Blakeney had plenty of compliments to give when asked about the talent of Duke.
“They have such synchronization, everything they do they do it together,”Blakeney said. “They’re a well-oiled team, they’re smart and they’re aggressive.”
Senior wide receiver Chandler Worthy dwelled on the need for the team to keep up the intensity of play against Duke on Saturday.
Veterans Memorial Stadium will also play a big part in the success of the Trojans this week.
Troy is commonly known to put up a tough fight and even pull out a win as an underdog at home against stout teams such as Duke.
The Trojans took the Mississippi State Bulldogs down to the wire in 2012 when playing at home in front of a sold out 30,000 attendance.
Only time will tell if the Trojans can pull themselves together this week and upset the Blue Devils.
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