Tag: Troy

Jacksonville State comes from behind to beat Troy in Salute to Veterans Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Caden Creel threw for 173 yards and a touchdown and Deondre Johnson hauled in six catches for 101 yards on Tuesday, helping Jacksonville State post a 17-13 victory over Troy in the Salute to Veterans Bowl in Montgomery, Ala.

Brock Rechsteiner caught a 22-yard touchdown for the Gamecocks (9-5), who won their second bowl game in three FBS seasons. Jacksonville State earned bragging rights in the rivalry known as the “Battle for the Ol’ School Bell.” Tuesday marked the 64th all-time meeting in a series that began in 1924.

Tucker Kilcrease completed 12 of 23 passes for 116 yards and threw two interceptions in relief of Troy starter Goose Crowder, who left with an injury after throwing for 13 yards in the first quarter. The Trojans’ (8-5) lone touchdown came on a fumble recovery in the end zone in the opening quarter.

Trailing by six at halftime, Jacksonville State trimmed its deficit in half on Garrison Rippa’s 51-yard field goal with 6:35 left in the third.

DJ Epps returned the ensuing kickoff 79 yards to Jacksonville State’s 20. From there, Quay Hood and Shane Payton Hodges’ sack of Kilcrease on third down forced Scott Taylor Renfroe’s 49-yard field goal attempt, which missed far right.

After Jacksonville State’s punt, Kilcrease was intercepted by Ian Mitchell at Troy’s 47-yard line.

With 10:06 left in the fourth quarter, the Gamecocks took their first lead since the first quarter, as Andrew Paul’s 1-yard rushing score gave Jacksonville State a 17-13 lead.

Troy came up short on fourth-and-6 on Jacksonville State’s 27 on its next drive before getting the ball back after the Gamecocks’ punt. Kilcrease then threw his second interception, which Tyrin Taylor grabbed at Jacksonville State’s 32.

The Trojans had one last chance, but Kilcrease’s Hail Mary attempt as time expired was knocked down in the end zone.

After Troy’s three-and-out began the game, Creel’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Rechsteiner stamped a nine-play, 71-yard scoring drive to give the Gamecocks a 7-0 lead.

Following Troy’s second punt, Creel fumbled in the end zone and the ball was recovered for a game-tying touchdown by Luis Medina with 1:39 remaining in the first.

After Jacksonville State’s failed fake punt, Troy tacked on with Taylor Renfroe’s 38-yard field goal at the 10:57 mark of the second quarter.

Taylor Renfroe’s 30-yarder gave the Trojans a 13-7 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

No. 25 James Madison makes CFP case with Sun Belt title win over Troy

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Alonza Barnett III threw for a touchdown and added a crucial late-game touchdown run as No. 25 James Madison fended off Troy for a 31-14 victory in the Sun Belt Conference championship game Friday night at Harrisonburg, Va.

Wayne Knight rushed for 212 yards, including a go-ahead 73-yard burst early in the second quarter, as the Dukes tried to make a case for inclusion into the College Football Playoff by scoring two touchdowns in the final five minutes.

With a Duke win in Saturday’s Atlantic Coast Conference championship game, a bid could very well be there for the Dukes.

It was quite a send-off for the final home game under second-year coach Bob Chesney, who’s leaving to become UCLA’s head coach but agreed to stay through a potential CFP run. It was a frigid night that included fans throwing snowballs onto the field as the Dukes (12-1) won their 11th game in a row.

Troy (8-5) was gunning for its third Sun Belt title in a four-year span.

Barnett was just 10-for-25 passing for 93 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the air. He gained 85 yards on 12 carries. Knight had 21 rushing attempts.

Troy quarterback Goose Crowder was 15-for-34 passing for 196 yards. The Trojans were held to minus-26 rushing yards.

James Madison scored first on Morgan Suarez’s 40-yard field goal with 1:55 to play in the first quarter.

The Trojans responded less than three minutes later, scoring on Crowder’s 1-yard scramble.

But on the Dukes’ next snap from scrimmage, Knight broke away on his long TD run on a tackle-shedding gallop. James Madison stretched the lead with 6:56 to play in the second quarter on Barnett’s 26-yard touchdown pass to Braeden Wisloski, who made a leaping catch in the back of the end zone.

Troy responded and scored on Tae Meadows’ 2-yard run with 2:12 remaining in the first half.

The Dukes were in an offensive slump. Despite holding the halftime lead at 17-14, they were 0-for-7 on third-down conversion.

There wasn’t any scoring in the second half until Barnett’s touchdown run with 4:11 remaining. But the Dukes piled on from there, with Sahir West’s sack of backup quarterback Tucker Kilcrease forcing a fumble and Drew Spinogatti returning the ball 22 yards for a touchdown.

It was the cherry on top of a stellar individual performance by West, who finished with 5 1/2 tackles for loss and three sacks.

–Field Level Media

No. 25 James Madison out to freeze Troy in Sun Belt title game

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There’s plenty at stake for James Madison in the Sun Belt Conference championship game.

The No. 25 Dukes are in the College Football Playoff rankings with an outside shot at reaching the final bracket.

But that will require defeating visiting Troy on Friday night at Harrisonburg, Va., and a little more help.

“It’s pretty neat to be able to do that on a Friday night,” James Madison coach Bob Chesney said. “I’m sure it’s going to be pretty cold.”

The Dukes (11-1) are trying to increase their winning streak to 11 games by defeating Troy (8-4).

James Madison also is dealing with a reported loss. Chesney is on his way out to become the next coach at UCLA but expected to be on the Dukes’ sideline for the conference championship game.

“Those opportunities are afforded to you because of the success you have, because of the players who have been here, because of the school,” Chesney said. “… What matters the most is that we’re focused on this game, this championship game right now.”

The Trojans and Dukes will meet for the first time this season, and it will be the first visit to Harrisonburg for Troy coach Gerad Parker.

“Cold weather, a short week along with us traveling up there,” Parker said of the challenges. “Exciting times – good problems to have. … We don’t have cold weather gear.”

The forecast at midweek called for a high near 30 with accumulating snow on Friday. Weather might not be enough to stall these high-powered offenses.

James Madison has scored more than 50 points against four of its Sun Belt opponents this year on the way to capturing its first East Division title.

The Dukes have no shortage of offensive contributors.

Quarterback Alonza Barrett III has thrown for more than 5,000 career yards. He has 20 touchdown passes with seven interceptions this season.

“His mobility, of course, brings a whole other set of problems,” Parker said.

Running back Wayne Knight is James Madison’s first single-season 1,000-yard rushing since 2020. He’s at 1,051 yards.

Cornerback Justin Eaglin has made four of the defense’s 12 interceptions in his first season as a regular starter.

Troy won the West Division for the third time in four years, so the Trojans are no strangers to playing in early December.

While James Madison was assured of a spot in the title game and a home assignment prior to last week’s games, Troy had to defeat host Southern Mississippi on Saturday to grab its spot. Troy, which won the Sun Belt’s 2022 and 2023 championship games, will be on the road for the title game for the first time this week.

The Trojans have won two straight since a two-game skid. They’ve won nine of their last 12 games against Sun Belt opposition.

Troy linebacker Donnie Smith has made a Sun Belt-leading nine sacks this year.

“They’re hunting quarterbacks at points and time,” Chesney said.

The Trojans have had quarterback Goose Crowder back as their starter for the past two games, going 51 of 77 for 646 yards with seven touchdowns in the air in those outings.

Receiver RaRa Thomas, a past starter at Mississippi State and Georgia, is coming off a two-touchdown performance.

–Field Level Media

Clemson defensive back Ronan Hanafin (5) gets ready to tackle Troy Trojans tight end Ethan Conner (14) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, September 6, 2025.

No. 8 Clemson rallies from 16 down to beat Troy

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Cade Klubnik threw two touchdown passes in the second half to rally No. 8 Clemson to a 27-16 victory over visiting Troy on Saturday in a game that was delayed for 90 minutes in the first half because of a lightning storm.

Adam Randall carried 21 times for 112 yards and a touchdown as Clemson (1-1) overcame a 16-point deficit against the Sun Belt Conference squad which was gunning for its first-ever upset of a top-10 team.

Klubnik completed 18 of 24 passes for 196 yards and one interception. But after hearing boos in the first half, Klubnik fired both of his touchdown passes to Bryant Wesco Jr., who finished with seven receptions for 118 yards.

Wesco’s play was key as Clemson was without standout receiver Antonio Williams, who was sidelined by a hamstring injury.

Ricardo Jones and Ronan Hanafin also keyed the rally, making interceptions in the third quarter, which the Tigers turned into 10 points.

Goose Crowder completed 19 of 31 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown for Troy (1-1), but his two interceptions, both in Trojans territory, were costly.

Crowder got Troy off to a quick start on its opening possession, completing 4 of 4 passes, including a 44-yard touchdown strike to Tray Taylor to put the Trojans up 7-0.

After Clemson went three-and-out on its ensuing possession, the game was called because of the approaching storm.

When play resumed 90 minutes later, Troy continued to thrive.

On the penultimate play of the first quarter, with Clemson threatening to score, Luke Hodge forced a Randall fumble and Justin Powe scooped the ball and ran 53 yards, setting up a 37-yard field goal by Scott Taylor Renfroe that put Troy up 10-0.

Later in the quarter, Hodge made a big play again when he tipped a Klubnik pass and TJ Thompson caught the fluttering ball at the Clemson 4 and barreled into the end zone for a 16-0 lead.

Clemson got a small measure of momentum late in the second quarter with a 27-yard field goal from Nolan Hauser.

Then in the second half, the Tigers dominated, outgaining Troy in yardage 202-95.

–Field Level Media

LSU Tigers safety Jardin Gilbert (2) tackles Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.

After ‘bad day’ vs. LSU, Cade Klubnik and No. 8 Clemson await Troy

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Coming off an underwhelming opening-game loss at home to LSU, No. 8 Clemson and quarterback Cade Klubnik will look to rebound Saturday afternoon against visiting Troy.

While there is no shame in losing 17-10 to a loaded LSU team that jumped six spots in the rankings this week to No. 3, Clemson is eager to show improvement, especially on offense, against a Sun Belt foe.

“Everybody can just start throwing mud now. Just bring it on,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said in an animated press conference on Tuesday. “Tell everybody we suck. Coaches suck. Cade stinks. Start writing that again.”

If somebody’s actually making a list to cite, LSU shut down Clemson’s rushing attack on Saturday night. Swinney’s Tigers managed just 31 yards on 20 carries. Take away LSU’s pair of sacks and it was 53 yards on 18 carries, which sounds a little less awful.

Becoming one-dimensional on offense limited the effectiveness of preseason Heisman candidate Klubnik, who in a heavy rush completed 19 of 38 passes for 230 yards and no touchdowns, with one interception.

“He had a bad day,” Swinney said. “Ain’t no other way to say it. If (No.) 2 ain’t a dude, we ain’t winning. Dudes gotta be dudes. This is big boy football.”

With Clemson’s offense sputtering, LSU dominated possession as it held the ball for more than 37 minutes and wore down the Tigers’ defense. After keeping LSU out of the end zone in the first half, Clemson surrendered two touchdown drives after the break.

The Clemson defense’s mission against Troy is well-defined. The Tigers will be focused on running back Tae Meadows, who produced 186 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries in a 38-20 Week 1 victory over Nicholls.

Meadows carried just four times in the previous two seasons at Troy, but he appears ready to take the mantle in a program that has featured a 1,000-yard rusher each of the last three years.

“You better want to tackle,” Swinney said. “It’s gonna be a physical football game. It’s just how they play the game.”

After winning the Sun Belt in 2022 and 2023, Troy slumped to 4-8 in its first season under Gerad Parker last year — though the Trojans showed progress by winning three of their last four games.

Quarterback Goose Crowder, a former backup at West Virginia who flashed strong numbers at Troy early last season before incurring a season-ending injury, threw three touchdown passes with no interceptions against FCS foe Nicholls.

Against Clemson, Parker wants to see more instinctive, aggressive line play.

“In order for us to have success this week, we better come off the football and think less and play through stuff faster,” he said.

Clemson captured both previous meetings with victories at home in 2011 and 2016 — though Swinney pointed out both games were competitive.

Said Parker about Clemson: “The entire roster is filled with NFL players. They have as good a defense as I’ve seen on tape in my career.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Deontae Craig (45) pressures Troy Trojans quarterback Matthew Caldwell (12) during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Iowa survives Troy upset scare

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The Iowa Hawkeyes survived a scare against the Troy Trojans Saturday in Iowa City, Iowa, defeating the Sun Belt Conference team 38-21.

Iowa (2-1) entered the second half down four points, after entering the game a 22 and ½-point favorite against Troy (0-3), but needed a second half turnover and strong running performance to defeat the Spartans.

Kaleb Johnson led the Hawkeyes on the ground with 173 yards and two touchdowns. The junior had two runs over 30 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter, putting Iowa ahead 31-21.

Devonte Ross paced the Trojans with 142 yards receiving and two touchdowns on five catches, adding a punt return score.

Brendan Sullivan, a transfer from Northwestern, gave Iowa its first lead of the second half with his only pass of the game. Entering the game on a redzone play, Sullivan sent a shovel pass to Addison Ostrenga for a touchdown.

The touchdown was Iowa’s only through the air, with Cade McNamara passing for 176 yards on 19 for 23 passing.

Then, with 2:30 remaining in the third quarter, Iowa added to its lead with a 28-yard pick six with Jermari Harris reading a pass from Matthew Caldwell and diving into the endzone to cap the return.

Iowa put the game away for good in the fourth quarter when Jaziun Patterson ran 39 yards for a touchdown putting the Hawkeyes up 38-21. Iowa outgained Troy 284-24 on the ground.

Troy gave the Big Ten squad a scare throughout the first three quarters of the game, thanks in part to the play of Ross.

In the second quarter, down 7-0, Ross caught a 63-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Caldwell down the left sideline. Then, with one minute remaining in the first half, Ross scored on a 77-yard punt return to put the Trojans ahead 14-10 at halftime.

In the second half, Ross repeated his first half receiving prowess with a different quarterback. After Caldwell, who had 156 passing yards and a touchdown, threw his interception, the quarterback went to the bench in favor of Tucker Kilcrease. On the sophomore’s first pass, he found Ross for a 62-yard touchdown pass.

–Field Level Media

Iowa Hawkeyes's quarter Cade McNamara (12) passes the ball around Iowa State Cyclones defensive line J.R. Singleton (58) during the first quarter in the Cy-Hawk series at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa.

Cade McNamara, Iowa hope to get back on track vs. Troy

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Cade McNamara and Iowa will aim to rebound after a poor performance when the Hawkeyes host Troy on Saturday afternoon in Iowa City, Iowa.

McNamara authored a sterling performance in the season opener on Aug. 31, completing 21 of 31 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns in the Hawkeyes’ 40-0 victory over Illinois State.

He fell flat in the following game, however, going 13-for-29 for 99 yards with two interceptions as Iowa (1-1) saw a double-digit lead slip away in a 20-19 setback to Iowa State.

“I think we expect him to be our quarterback and expect some ups and downs,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said of McNamara. “I’ve been saying it pretty consistently. He’s still working his way back into shape, as is our whole team with the offense and whatever. But we’ll get better. We’ll improve. Our guys have a great attitude, he’s got a great attitude, and we’ll work through this.”

Kaleb Johnson has been working out just fine, recording a pair of touchdowns in both of Iowa’s games. He has rushed for 306 yards on a robust average of 8.5 yards per carry.

Troy (0-2) has struggled to stop the run this season, surrendering an average of 212.5 yards per game.

“The first thing we have to do to improve our run defense is we have to do better tackling,” Trojans coach Gerad Parker said. “It sounds simple, but we’re just not tackling well on defense right now. That involves technique and pursuit, and the second part is we have to own our gaps and schemes to make sure we’re where we’re supposed to be.”

Troy’s Damien Taylor followed a 103-yard rushing performance in the season opener against Nevada with just 33 yards vs. Memphis last week. Goose Crowder, who is nursing a shoulder injury, and Matthew Caldwell have split the quarterbacking duties, with wideouts Devonte Ross and Peyton Higgins serving as their top targets.

Parker said Monday that Crowder is probable to play against Iowa. He said the same for starting center Eli Russ (undisclosed), but Boaz Stanley and Tyler Cappi would split time at the position if Russ sits out a second straight game.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (5) celebrates a play during the second half of the game against Pittsburgh Panthers at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

Enter the interim: Duke, Troy seek bowl win for coaching fill-ins

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Unique is a fair description for the Birmingham Bowl matchup of teams linked by their current coaching circumstances.

Interim coaches direct Duke and Troy for Saturday’s game at Birmingham, Ala., and insist their clubs have plenty to play for even if changes at the top are a predominant theme.

“We’re going to prepare like any other game,” Troy quarterback Gunnar Watson said.

Trooper Taylor, Blue Devils running backs coach, was placed in charge at Duke after Mike Elko left for Texas A&M. For Troy, defensive coordinator Greg Gasparato is the interim coach after Jon Sumrall’s departure to Tulane.

Troy (11-2) has a 10-game winning streak with hopes of landing a national ranking to end the 2023 season. Duke (7-5) spent time in the Top 25 before a midseason slump.

“I think does (provide) us a little edge to try to get ranked,” Watson said. “I think it’s a good opportunity.”

Manny Diaz, most recently Penn State’s defensive coordinator and former Miami Hurricanes head coach, is Duke’s head coach for next season.

Gerad Parker, who was Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator this season, was named as the next Troy head coach earlier this week. Parker was a member of Duke’s staff in 2017-18 under coach David Cutcliffe.

But before those men take full control of the respective programs, the teams are attempting to put a bow on the current season. In short, there’s a bowl game to be played.

“Despite the adversity, the turmoil, the locker room stuck together,” Duke quarterback Grayson Loftis said. “Like Coach Troop says, ‘The standard is the standard.’ It doesn’t change.”

Troy has won five straight bowl appearances. Duke has a four-game bowl winning streak.

The Trojans are Sun Belt Conference champions and co-defensive coordinator Tayler Polk will handle defensive play-calling. Troy entered the bowl season sixth nationally in sacks and 15th in total defense.

Watson has thrown for 3,339 yards and 27 touchdowns this year.

“We know we have a challenge and have to step up and prepare like we’re playing a great team,” Duke linebacker Tre Freeman said.

Loftis, a freshman who had been the third-stringer, became Duke’s starting quarterback for the final four games of the regular season after injuries to Riley Leonard and Henry Belin IV. The Blue Devils went 2-2 in those games.

Senior receiver Jalon Calhoun of Duke will try to add to his lofty receiving totals. He eclipsed 3,000 career yards in the regular-season finale vs. Pitt.

“It just speaks volumes about my hard work,” Calhoun said. “My teammates really helped me in pushing me every day, so I really appreciate that.”

Duke entered the bowl season ranked 14th nationally in red-zone defense. However, defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles, an All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection who had a team-leading 8.5 sacks, and defensive end RJ Oben entered the transfer portal and won’t play in the bowl. On offense, running back Jordan Waters also has left the Blue Devils.

This is the first time a Sun Belt Conference team will face a team from a Power 5 conference in a bowl.

“That’s going to be exciting,” Watson said. “Like everybody has been saying, it’s a chance for us to showcase our football program.

Taylor spent 2009-12 on Auburn’s staff along with earlier stints at Southeastern Conference member Tennessee.

“I am very familiar with the City of Birmingham, so I know our players and fans will have a great experience,” Taylor said.

Duke won the only two previous meetings with Troy. This time, the Trojans are hoping for a home state boost.

“Being in Birmingham and in the state of Alabama, I think Troy fans will really show up and show out,” Watson said.

–Field Level Media

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Gerad Parker during Notre Dame Fall Camp on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Irish Athletics Center in South Bend, Indiana.

Report: Troy picks Notre Dame OC Gerad Parker as coach

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Troy is expected to announce the hire of Notre Dame offensive coordinator Gerad Parker as head coach on Monday, according to multiple reports.

Parker is replacing his former Kentucky football teammate Jon Sumrall, who left to become the head coach at Tulane earlier this month. Sumrall posted a 23-4 record in two seasons with the Trojans.

Parker has coached tight ends for the last two seasons at Notre Dame and added coordinator duties this season. Under his leadership, the Fighting Irish (9-3) ranked eighth in FBS with 39.1 points per game.

The move leaves Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman looking for a third offensive coordinator in three seasons. Parker was the play-caller for Notre Dame in 2023.

Parker, 42, was the interim head coach at Purdue for the second half of the 2016 season after Darrell Hazell was fired, losing all six games.

A former wide receiver at Kentucky (2000-04), Parker has also worked as the offensive coordinator at West Virginia (2020-21) and as a receivers coach at Penn State, Duke, Purdue and Marshall.

Troy (11-2), champions of the Sun Belt Conference, is scheduled to face Duke (7-5) on Saturday in the Birmingham Bowl. Defensive coordinator Greg Gasparato is the Trojans’ interim coach.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2022; Boone, North Carolina, USA; Troy Trojans head coach Jon Sumrall on the sidelines against the Appalachian State Mountaineers during the second half at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Tulane hires Troy’s Jon Sumrall as head coach

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Tulane hired Troy’s Jon Sumrall to be its next head football coach on Friday.

Sumrall was an assistant coach for the Green Wave from 2012-14, and he guided Troy to a 23-4 record in his two seasons as the Trojans’ head coach.

Tulane needed a replacement for Willie Fritz, now the head coach at Houston after going 54-47 in eight seasons — including 11-2 in 2023.

Sumrall was the Sun Belt Coach of the Year in 2022 and won his second straight conference championship this season. The Trojans (11-2) will play Duke in the Birmingham Bowl Dec. 23.

Sumrall, 41, was a linebacker at Kentucky from 2002-04 before working as an assistant coach at San Diego, Tulane, Troy, Ole Miss and his alma mater. He was Kentucky’s co-defensive coordinator in 2021 before taking the job at Troy.

–Field Level Media