AKRON – TROY GAME PREVIEW
Written by Evan Meyer – Special to INSC Digital Magazine
The Akron Zips end the non-conference portion of their schedule this Saturday as they travel deep into the “Heart of Dixie” to battle the Trojans of Troy University in a late afternoon/early evening kickoff.
The Blue and Gold fell last week at home at the hands to Iowa State 41-14 and look to even their record before MAC play starts next Saturday at Bowling Green. The Trojans come in riding a two-game winning streak after winning last week at New Mexico State in the SBC opener
Here are my “preview points” for the first ever meeting between the two schools
ZIPS – TROJANS PREVIEW POINTS
TROY TROJANS (2-1, 1-0 SUN BELT)
The Trojans opened the season with a loss at Boise State. However, they come into the game with the Zips riding a two-game winning streak which includes a victory In the Sun Belt opener last Saturday at New Mexico State 27-24
Troy is led by head coach Neal Brown who is in his fourth season compiling a 16-12 overall record including a 10-3 record last season
The Trojans offense averages 24.7 points and 434 yards over the first three games of the season.
They are led offensively by senior RB Brandon Silvers who has completed 65 percent of his passes (71-of-114) for 770 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. His 32-yard run late in the third quarter was the winning score last Saturday over the Aggies.
The running game is led by senior Jordan Chunn who has gained 189 yards and scored four touchdowns. The receivers are led by senior Emanuel Thompson who has 14 receptions for 109 yards. The offensive line has allowed five sacks
The Troy defense has allowed 18.3 points and 301.3 yard per game so far this season.
The Red and White defense is led by sophomore LB Tron Folsom with 15 total tackles (eight solo) with 2 ½ of them for losses. In the first three games, the Trojans have garnered seven sacks and one interception a 53-yarder by junior CB Blace Brown for a touchdown in the opener against the Broncos
In their history, Troy is 3-3 against the MAC…Will end the non-conference portion of the schedule next Saturday at nationally ranked Louisiana State
AKRON ZIPS (1-2)
The Zips fell last Saturday to the Iowa State Cyclones 41-14 at InfoCision Stadium
Senior QB Thomas Woodson completed 25-of-40 passes for 240 yards and a pair of touchdowns that moved him into second place on UA’s all-time touchdown passing lost with 41
Senior WR Tra’Von Chapman had eight receptions (a career high) for 53 yards. Graduate RB Warren Ball led the ground game with 40 yards on 11 carries. He caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Woodson In the second quarter
The defense was led by Junior LB Ulysses Gilbert who had 12 total tackles (four solo) the second consecutive game he has had 10 or more tackles in a game while junior DE Jamal Davis & CB Darian Dailey each had a career high six tackles
Zips are 2-3 lifetime against the current teams of the Sun Belt Conference losing their last game against the SBC at home to Appalachian State.
E.