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September 20, 2006
THE TROUBLE WITH TROY
Huskers attempt to rebound from USC loss with different set of Trojans
By Jim D. Berryman
MissingNebraska.com
jimmyb@missingnebraska.com
After a 28-10 loss to the Number 3 USC Trojans in Los Angeles last
week, the Huskers welcome the Troy Trojans to Lincoln for a 6 p.m.
contest at Memorial Stadium this Saturday.
Nebraska fans may be more opt to think of Troy as a town in New York
or a bad Brad Pitt movie, but before saying "Troy who?", it may be a
good idea to take a closer look at the Troy Trojans, who hail from
Alabama.
Troy has a 1-2 record, but it demands closer examination. The win
was a 38-0 shutout victory over Alabama State, the losses were close
ones, to college football powerhouses Florida State and Georgia
Tech...on the road.
The Trojans gave the Seminoles and Yellow Jackets everything they
wanted in both games.
In the game with FSU in Tallahassee two weeks ago, no. 9 Florida
State needed two late touchdown scores to escape with a narrow 24-17
win over Troy.
Against Georgia Tech, a game Troy lost 35-20, the Trojans trailed
just 14-7 at the half, and opened the second half with a
touchdown-scoring drive that tied the game at 14.
So when it comes to the Troy Trojans, we're not talking cupcake
material here. Some credit is due a team that plays Florida State,
Georgia Tech, and Nebraska back to back to back on the road.
Looming large for Nebraska is the perception the Huskers are playing
against a nobody team. That's usually a tough position to be in,
considering the Huskers' hunger to gain back national respect.
Play a tough-fought close game against the Troy Trojans and national
pundits begin their Husker-skewering routine in earnest. Lose
the game and the flood gates open.
The other problem with playing the Troy Trojans the week after
playing the USC Trojans is the letdown factor.
It can happen to players, who realize the "big game" of the season
is now history, and Big 12 conference play is still a week away.
Husker fans can also feel the letdown factor, or at least feel
lackadaisical about a certain home-game weekend. A recent
Nebraska newspaper report said just that. Husker fans tend not to be
such big spenders on weekends when the game is supposed to be a "gimme",
especially when lacking a hype factor comparable to the Nebraska-USC
match up.
In other words, Lincoln just doesn't have the same Big Red feel on a
Saturday when Troy is in town as it does when NU's opponent is
big-name.
Those are the troubles with Troy. Things to watch out for this
Saturday.
Even so, Nebraska has given no indication it has given up on the
season. Hardly. Despite the loss to the more talented Trojans in LA
last Saturday, Big Red has reason to be encouraged.
The Husker defense played fairly well against USC, and the NU
offense had to go against one of the most punishing defenses in the
country. The Huskers were able to cut the score to 21-10 after an
impressive late drive, only to have USC score on its next
possession.
The Huskers couldn't get it done last Saturday, but should be able
to pass the test this Saturday in Lincoln, because the Trojans from
Troy just don't stack up with the Trojans from Tinsel Town. Of
course having 85,000 or so fans in red in the stands doesn't hurt
either.
The Huskers are 2-1 coming into the game, ranked number 23 in both
major national polls.
I will stand corrected and very happy if the Huskers roll over Troy
in a rout.
The Nebraska-Troy game will be televised by Fox Sports, but it's
available on a pay-per-view basis only.
Click
here for pay-per-view pricing and availability in your area
The Pinnacle Sports Radio Network will have live coverage on a
number of Nebraska radio stations and a few in other parts of the
country.
Click here for Pinnacle Sports Network Radio Stations nationwide
Sirius Satellite Radio will also have live audio on Channel 147.
Click here for the Sirius Nebraska Page. Huskers. com will also
have live audio, including pre-game coverage plus live stats. You can also find live stats of the game on a number of other sports-related web sites.
GO BIG RED!
NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS vs.
TROY TROJANS
PREVIEW STORIES & LINKS
09-23-06: Seeing Red In Lincoln (Callahan Coaching vs. USC
Controversy)
Story
from Omaha World-Herald
09-23-06: Husker
Game Day
Complete NU-Troy Preview Coverage, Stats & More from Huskers.com
09-23-06: Win over Nebraska would be 'big feather' for Troy
More from Yahoo! Sports - AP
09-23-06: Troy wants more than paycheck against Nebraska
More from KLKN-TV Lincoln
09-23-06: Trojans try to get over the hump
More from Dothan, Alabama Eagle
09-22-06: Huskers tweak game plan for Troy encounter
More from Daily Nebraskan
09-22-06: Confident Troy
More from KOLN-KGIN TV
09-22-06: Troy's speed, defense catch Busch's eye
More from Omaha World-Herald
09-22-06: Storylines for Troy
More from Lincoln Journal-Star
09-22-06: Depth still a concern for Trojans
More from Troy, Alabama Messenger
09-22-06: The 'mission' is possible: Bradley better than ever
More from Omaha World-Herald
09-21-06: Troy relying on trickeration
More from Dothan, Alabama Eagle
09-21-06: Gut check time for Troy linebackers
More from Dothan, Alabama Eagle
09-21-06: Callahan says Troy offense similar to Texas Tech
More from Lincoln Journal-Star
09-21-06: Receiver Banks a hit with Troy
More from Omaha World-Herald
09-20-06: Callahan: Troy presents a challenge
More from Lincoln Journal-Star
09-19-06: Coach stands by game plan, Huskers shift focus to Troy
More from WOWT-TV Omaha (Video included)
09-19-06: Troy team demands respect
More from KETV-Omaha
09-19-06: Blakeney, Trojans hope to test Cornhusker fans
More from Troy, Alabama Messenger
09-19-06: Troy Football: Trojans look towards Nebraska
More from Dothan, Alabama Eagle
09-18-06: High powered Huskers next for Troy
More from TroyTrojans.com
09-16-06: Husker goals 'intact'
More from Omaha World-Herald09-17-06:
KETV-Omaha Big Red Zone: Nebraska vs. Troy
Stories & Video Previews
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Nebraska Football '06 Schedule / Results
Huskers on ESPN.com
Husker Hot Pics Photos from AP
Husker Game Watch Locations Nationwide
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