Troy Trojans football
Encyclopedia
The Troy Trojans
football program represents Troy University
, Alabama, in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision
, formerly known as Division I-A, of which it has been a member since 2001
. The football program joined the Sun Belt Conference
in 2004, while the other Troy athletic programs didn't join the SBC until 2005.
kept the team from playing that year. Having moved up from Division I-AA, the team has competed in the NCAA's Division I since 2001.
Troy University football began playing in the NCAA's Division I-A in 2001, became a football only member of the Sun Belt Conference
in 2004, and joined that conference for all other sports in 2005. In 2001, Troy defeated Mississippi State University
at Scott Field
in Starkville, Mississippi
, by a count of 21-9 to notch the Trojans' first victory over a BCS level program. The Trojans began their 2004 campaign with a win over Marshall, and then garnered the program's largest win one game later as the Trojans defeated then #17 ranked Missouri, 24–14, in front of a Movie Gallery Stadium
record crowd. The Trojan football team made its first bowl game appearance in the Silicon Valley Football Classic
on December 30, 2004 that same season, but lost to Northern Illinois, 34–21. In 2006, Troy won the Sun Belt Conference
for the first time after defeating Middle Tennessee State in dramatic fashion in the last game of the 2006 season in a game that is now referred to as "The Miracle in Murfreesboro". As the 2006 Sun Belt Conference champions, Troy played in the New Orleans Bowl
on December 22, 2006 against Rice University
, routing the Owls of Conference USA
by a score of 41–17. The New Orleans Bowl victory was Troy's first bowl victory in history.
Troy football head coach Larry Blakeney
is entering his 20th season as head coach. He has led the program to three Southland Football League titles and four straight Sun Belt Conference
titles, as well as guided the Trojans to seven FCS playoff appearances and four FBS bowl games. Blakeney boasts an overall record of 152-71-1 as head coach at Troy. Blakeney is the winningest coach in the Troy University history and he is the 4th winningest collegiate coach all-time in the state of Alabama, only behind greats Paul "Bear" Bryant, Cleveland L. Abbott
, and Ralph "Shug" Jordan. Blakeney is just one of two coaches to ever take a football program from Division II to I-A (the other is UCF’s Gene McDowell
).
Troy's only perfect regular season record in football came at the conclusion of the 1995 season as the Trojans finished 11–0 and were crowned champions of the Southland Football League heading into the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.
Troy won the NAIA national football championship in 1968 and the NCAA Division II national football championship in 1984 and 1987.
Troy has accomplished winning five straight Sun Belt Conference championships since 2006, breaking North Texas' record of four straight Sun Belt titles from 2001 to 2004. The Trojans have also compiled a 32-5 record against Sun Belt competition during the last five seasons.
in the annual Battle for the Palladium
. Troy and Middle Tennessee first played each other in 1936, but it wasn't until 2003 that schools started playing annually for the Palladium Trophy.
Troy used to play Jacksonville State
in the annual Battle for the Ol' School Bell
. The schools first played in 1924 and was one of the fiercest rivalries for both schools. The game hasn't been played since 2001 after Troy joined the FBS.
Troy Trojans
The Troy Trojans were a Major League Baseball team in the National League for four seasons from 1879 to 1882. Their home games were played at Putnam Grounds , Haymakers' Grounds , and Troy Ball Clubs Grounds , all in the upstate New York city of Troy. Overall, the franchise won 131 games and lost...
football program represents Troy University
Troy University
Troy University is a public university that is located in Troy, Alabama, United States. It was originally founded in 1887 as Troy Normal School. Its main campus enrollment is 7,194 students. The total enrollment of all Troy University campuses is 29,689...
, Alabama, in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision
NCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship
A college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
, formerly known as Division I-A, of which it has been a member since 2001
2001 in sports
2001 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Hermann Maier, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Janica Kostelić, Croatia-American football:...
. The football program joined the Sun Belt Conference
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
in 2004, while the other Troy athletic programs didn't join the SBC until 2005.
History
Troy University has fielded a football team continuously since 1946. Prior to that year, the team was fielded with only a few interruptions from 1909 to 1942. Eight years were skipped due to lack of participation and later World War I from 1913–1920, while the Wall Street Crash of 1929Wall Street Crash of 1929
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 , also known as the Great Crash, and the Stock Market Crash of 1929, was the most devastating stock market crash in the history of the United States, taking into consideration the full extent and duration of its fallout...
kept the team from playing that year. Having moved up from Division I-AA, the team has competed in the NCAA's Division I since 2001.
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
in 2004, and joined that conference for all other sports in 2005. In 2001, Troy defeated Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
at Scott Field
Davis Wade Stadium
Davis Wade Stadium is the home playing venue for the Mississippi State Bulldogs football team. Located in Starkville, Mississippi, the stadium has a capacity of 55,082. It was built in 1914 as Scott Field and was named for Don Magruder Scott, an Olympic sprinter and one of the University's first...
in Starkville, Mississippi
Starkville, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 21,869 people, 9,462 households, and 4,721 families residing in the city. The population density was 851.4 people per square mile . There were 10,191 housing units at an average density of 396.7 per square mile...
, by a count of 21-9 to notch the Trojans' first victory over a BCS level program. The Trojans began their 2004 campaign with a win over Marshall, and then garnered the program's largest win one game later as the Trojans defeated then #17 ranked Missouri, 24–14, in front of a Movie Gallery Stadium
Movie Gallery Stadium
Veterans Memorial Stadium is a stadium in Troy, Alabama. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the Troy University Trojans.Veterans Memorial Stadium opened in 1950...
record crowd. The Trojan football team made its first bowl game appearance in the Silicon Valley Football Classic
Silicon Valley Football Classic
The Silicon Valley Football Classic , sometimes referred to as the Silicon Valley Bowl or Silicon Valley Classic, was an NCAA-certified Division I-A post-season college football bowl game that was played at Spartan Stadium on the South Campus of San Jose State University in San Jose, California,...
on December 30, 2004 that same season, but lost to Northern Illinois, 34–21. In 2006, Troy won the Sun Belt Conference
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
for the first time after defeating Middle Tennessee State in dramatic fashion in the last game of the 2006 season in a game that is now referred to as "The Miracle in Murfreesboro". As the 2006 Sun Belt Conference champions, Troy played in the New Orleans Bowl
New Orleans Bowl
The New Orleans Bowl is a post-season college football bowl game certified by the NCAA that has been played annually at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana since 2001. The game was sponsored by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts from 2002 to 2004 and was officially called the Wyndham New...
on December 22, 2006 against Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
, routing the Owls of Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
by a score of 41–17. The New Orleans Bowl victory was Troy's first bowl victory in history.
Troy football head coach Larry Blakeney
Larry Blakeney
Larry Blakeney is the football head coach of the Troy Trojans at Troy University. He is currently in his 20th season as Troy's head football coach...
is entering his 20th season as head coach. He has led the program to three Southland Football League titles and four straight Sun Belt Conference
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
titles, as well as guided the Trojans to seven FCS playoff appearances and four FBS bowl games. Blakeney boasts an overall record of 152-71-1 as head coach at Troy. Blakeney is the winningest coach in the Troy University history and he is the 4th winningest collegiate coach all-time in the state of Alabama, only behind greats Paul "Bear" Bryant, Cleveland L. Abbott
Cleveland L. Abbott
Cleveland Leigh "Cleve" Abbott was an African-American football player, coach and educator.-Life:Abbott was born in Yankton, South Dakota in 1892...
, and Ralph "Shug" Jordan. Blakeney is just one of two coaches to ever take a football program from Division II to I-A (the other is UCF’s Gene McDowell
Gene McDowell
-References:...
).
Troy's only perfect regular season record in football came at the conclusion of the 1995 season as the Trojans finished 11–0 and were crowned champions of the Southland Football League heading into the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.
Troy won the NAIA national football championship in 1968 and the NCAA Division II national football championship in 1984 and 1987.
Troy has accomplished winning five straight Sun Belt Conference championships since 2006, breaking North Texas' record of four straight Sun Belt titles from 2001 to 2004. The Trojans have also compiled a 32-5 record against Sun Belt competition during the last five seasons.
Head coaches
| Name | From | To | Record | Postseason | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | ||||
| Virgil P. McKinley | 1909 | 1909 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| Dan Harren | 1910 | 1910 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| George Penton | 1911 | 1912 | 7 | 1 | 1 | |
| Professor J. W. Campbell | 1921 | 1923 | 12 | 14 | 1 | |
| Flivver Ford | 1924 | 1924 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |
| Otis Bynum | 1925 | 1926 | 12 | 4 | 1 | |
| Gladwin Gaumer | 1927 | 1928 | 6 | 7 | 0 | |
| No Coach | 1930 | 1930 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Albert Elmore | 1931 | 1937 | 33 | 25 | 3 | |
| Albert Choate | 1938 | 1942 | 28 | 25 | 1 | |
| Buddy McCollum | 1947 | 1950 | 20 | 18 | 3 | 1948 Paper Bowl |
| Jim Grantham | 1951 | 1954 | 11 | 23 | 1 | |
| William Clipson | 1955 | 1965 | 26 | 68 | 0 | |
| Billy Atkins | 1966 | 1971 | 44 | 16 | 2 | 1968 NAIA National Champions |
| Tom Jones | 1972 | 1973 | 11 | 7 | 2 | |
| Byrd Whigham | 1974 | 1975 | 12 | 8 | 0 | |
| Charlie Bradshaw | 1976 | 1982 | 41 | 27 | 2 | |
| Chan Gailey Chan Gailey Thomas Chandler "Chan" Gailey, Jr. is an American professional and college football coach. Gailey is the current head coach of the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League ; he was formerly the head coach of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets college football... |
1983 | 1984 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 1984 NCAA Division II National Champions |
| Rick Rhodes | 1985 | 1987 | 28 | 7 | 1 | 1987 NCAA Division II National Champions |
| Robert Maddox | 1988 | 1990 | 13 | 17 | 0 | |
| Larry Blakeney Larry Blakeney Larry Blakeney is the football head coach of the Troy Trojans at Troy University. He is currently in his 20th season as Troy's head football coach... |
1990 | Present | 161 | 82 | 1 | 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 Bowl Appearances; 2006, 2010 Bowl Wins |
| Composite Record | 1909 | 2008 | 488 | 358 | 27 | |
Championships
Troy has won 20 total conference championships to go along with 3 national championships. The program won the 1968 NAIA National Championship against Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville). Troy beat North Dakota State in 1984 to win their first Division II national title. They won their second Division II national title in 1987 after defeating Portland State.
Bold indicates national championship. † Denotes NAIA National Championship. ^ Denotes NCAA Division II National Championship. |
Non-FBS Post-season History
| W/L | Date | PF | Opponent | PA | Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | 12-18-1948 | 0 | Jacksonville State Jacksonville State University Jacksonville State University is a regional public coeducational university located in Jacksonville, Alabama, USA. Founded in 1883, Jacksonville State offers programs of study in four academic units leading to Bachelor's, Master's, and Education Specialist degrees, in addition to continuing and... |
19 | Paper Bowl |
| W | 12-14-1968 | 43 | Texas A&M-Kingsville Texas A&M University–Kingsville Texas A&M University–Kingsville is a U.S. national university with a multicultural student body that is 62 percent Hispanic and includes students from 35 states and 43 foreign countries... |
35 | Championship Bowl |
| W | 12-08-1984 | 18 | North Dakota State North Dakota State University North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, more commonly known as North Dakota State University , is a public university in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU has about 14,000 students and it is the largest university in North Dakota based on full time students and land size... |
17 | Palm Bowl |
| W | 12-12-1987 | 31 | Portland State Portland State University Portland State University is a public state urban university located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1946, it has the largest overall enrollment of any university in the state of Oregon, including undergraduate and graduate students. It is also the only public university in... |
17 | Palm Bowl |
- Palm Bowl = NCAA Division II National Championship & Championship Bowl = NAIA National Championship
FBS Bowl History
| W/L | Date | PF | Opponent | PA | Bowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | 12-30-2004 | 21 | Northern Illinois Northern Illinois University Northern Illinois University is a state university and research institution located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. It was originally founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P... |
34 | Silicon Valley Classic 2004 Silicon Valley Classic The 2004 Silicon Valley Football Classic was a post-season college football bowl game between the and the on December 30, 2004, at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California. It was the fifth and final time the Silicon Valley Football Classic was played and the final game of the 2004 NCAA Division... |
| W | 12-22-2006 | 41 | Rice Rice University William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States... |
17 | New Orleans Bowl 2006 New Orleans Bowl The 2006 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl featured the and the . Rice was making its first bowl appearance since 1961.Troy quarterback Omar Haugabook started the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run to give Troy an early 7-0 lead. Less than a minute later, Haugabook hooked up with Gary Banks for a... |
| L | 12-21-2008 | 27 | Southern Mississippi | 30 | New Orleans Bowl 2008 New Orleans Bowl The 2008 R+L CarriersNew Orleans Bowl was the eighth edition of the college football bowl game, played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Southern Miss Golden Eagles defeated the Troy Trojans, 30-27 in a dramatic overtime game... |
| L | 01-06-2010 | 41 | Central Michigan Central Michigan University Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan... |
44 | GMAC Bowl 2010 GMAC Bowl The 2010 GMAC Bowl, the eleventh edition of the college football bowl game, was played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama on January 6, 2010. The game was telecast on ESPN and matched the Central Michigan Chippewas, champions of the Mid-American Conference, against the Troy Trojans,... |
| W | 12-18-2010 | 48 | Ohio | 21 | New Orleans Bowl 2010 New Orleans Bowl The 2010 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl was the tenth edition of the bowl. The game was played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 9 p.m. ET. The contest was televised live on ESPN... |
NFL Players
| Trojans in the NFL | |
|---|---|
| NFL Draft selections | |
| Total selected: | 33 |
| First picks in draft: | 0 |
| 1st Round: | 2 |
Current Players
- DeMarcus WareDemarcus WareDeMarcus Ware is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was drafted with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft out of Troy University...
- Leodis McKelvinLeodis McKelvin-Buffalo Bills:On July 26, McKelvin signed a five-year, $19.4 million contract with the Bills with up to $12.6 million in bonuses. McKelvin made an impact with his kick returning skills. McKelvin also returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown in a preseason game against the Steelers. The...
- Osi UmenyioraOsi Umenyiora-2003:Umenyiora was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the New York Giants out of Troy State University, now Troy University. He was number 72. As a rookie in 2003, he played in 13 games with one start.-2005:...
- Sherrod MartinSherrod MartinJerald Sherrod Martin is an American football safety for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
- Leonard WheelerLeonard WheelerLeonard Tyrone Wheeler is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Mississippi and Troy.Wheeler also played for the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers....
- Brannon CondrenBrannon CondrenBrannon Condren is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football for Troy....
- Elbert MackElbert MackElbert Mack is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished his college football career at Troy after playing his first two years of college ball at Butler...
- Gary BanksGary BanksGary Rashad Banks is a Free Agent American football wide receiver who most recently played for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
- Trevor FordTrevor FordTrevor Ford was a Welsh international centre forward footballer who played for Aston Villa, Cardiff City, Sunderland and Swansea Town. He was born and died in Swansea.-Football career:...
- Dion GalesDion GalesDion David Gales is an American football defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League.-Professional career:Gales was promoted to the Chiefs active roster on December 12, 2009....
- Steve McLendon
- Lawrence TynesLawrence TynesLawrence James Henry Tynes is an American football placekicker for the New York Giants. He was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2001.-Early years:...
- Levi BrownLevi Brown (quarterback)Jacob Levi Brown is an American football quarterback formerly with the Buffalo Bills. He was drafted by the Bills in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Troy.-College career:...
- Cameron SheffieldCameron SheffieldCameron Corley Sheffield is an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
- Jerrel JerniganJerrel JerniganJerrel Jernigan is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Troy....
Former Players
- Patrick Epkins
- Sherill Busby
- Matt AllenMatt AllenMatt Allen is a former American football punter in the NFL who played for the New York Giants. He played college football at Troy State.- NFL career :...
- Aaron Fields
- Kerry JenkinsKerry JenkinsKerry Jenkins was a National Football League offensive lineman from 1997 through 2001 with the New York Jets and 2002 through 2004 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He officially retired from the NFL in 2006....
- Reggie Lowe
- Al LucasAl LucasAlbert Lucas was an American football player in the National Football League and Arena Football League who died during a game while playing for the Los Angeles Avengers.-Early life and college career:...
- Larry Mason
- Jimmy McClain
- Jack Peavey
- Rayshun Reed
- Shawn StuckeyShawn StuckeyShawn Stuckey is a former Linebacker with the New England Patriots of the NFL, who also played briefly for other professional football teams. He is currently a practicing attorney in St. Paul, Minnesota.-Early life and college:...
- Rod WalkerRod WalkerRoderick Dion Walker is a former professional American football player who played defensive tackle for three seasons for the Green Bay Packers....
- Pratt LyonsPratt LyonsPratt Gilbert Lyons, Jr. is a former professional American football player who played defensive end for two seasons for the Tennessee Titans....
- Michael Moore
- Orlando Parker
- Jonathan CarterJonathan CarterJonathan Carter is an American football wide receiver in the National Football League.-College career:...
- Perry GriggsPerry GriggsPerry Griggs is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver in 1977 for the Baltimore Colts.-External links:*...
- Wade Brantley
- Titus Dixon
- Clifford IvoryClifford IvoryClifford Ivory is a former cornerback in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Toronto Argonauts. He owns the Argonauts' record for most interceptions returned for touchdowns....
- Mareno Philyaw
- Jack Smith
- Marcus Spriggs
- Davern WilliamsDavern WilliamsDavern L. Williams is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants. He played college football at Troy State University and was drafted in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft....
- Reggie Dwight
- Willie TullisWillie TullisWillie James Tullis . He was an American football defensive back in the National Football League. He played eight seasons for the Houston Oilers , the New Orleans Saints , and the Indianapolis Colts...
- Mitch Geier
- Anthony Henton
- Kelvin Murdock
- Virgil SeayVirgil SeayVirgil LeVan Seay is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at Troy State University and was drafted in the tenth round of the 1980 NFL Draft...
- Greg Harris
- Willie McCray
- Ronnie Shelley
- Glenn Thompson
- Rob Austin
- Michael O'Daniel
Rivalries
Troy plays Middle TennesseeMiddle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University, commonly abbreviated as MTSU, is a public university located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States....
in the annual Battle for the Palladium
Battle for the Palladium
The Battle for the Palladium is the annual college football rivalry matchup between the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and Troy Trojans. The history between Middle Tennessee and Troy dates back further than any other two programs in the Sun Belt Conference, but in 1999 the rivalry was renewed after...
. Troy and Middle Tennessee first played each other in 1936, but it wasn't until 2003 that schools started playing annually for the Palladium Trophy.
Troy used to play Jacksonville State
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville State University is a regional public coeducational university located in Jacksonville, Alabama, USA. Founded in 1883, Jacksonville State offers programs of study in four academic units leading to Bachelor's, Master's, and Education Specialist degrees, in addition to continuing and...
in the annual Battle for the Ol' School Bell
Battle for the Ol' School Bell
The Battle for the Ol' School Bell was an old rivalry between Troy State vs Jacksonville State when the two schools started playing together in Division II. The series continued as the Trojans moved to FCS, with the Gamecocks moving the FCS soon after. The series came to a halt when Troy moved...
. The schools first played in 1924 and was one of the fiercest rivalries for both schools. The game hasn't been played since 2001 after Troy joined the FBS.