Reviewing the Troy Trojans

Turnovers were big factors in Troy’s loss at Boise and victory over FAMU.

Troy comes to Lincoln with a 1-1 record; last week, the Trojans blew out 1-AA Florida A&M 59-7 after losing 56-20 to Boise State on Labor Day weekend. Against the Rattlers, Troy forced four turnovers after committing four the week before on the SmurfTurf. Junior quarterback Kaleb Barker started both games, completing 65% of his passes for 351 yards and five touchdowns, with one interception (on a deflected pass). Last year’s leading returning running back, Jamarius Henderson, was suspended after the Boise game for violating team rules; he won’t be back this week. Louisville graduate transfer wide receiver Traveon Samuel has also been suspended, and like Henderson, remains out this week.

Sophomore running back Jabir Daughtry-Fry (5’7” 170 lbs.) leads Troy this season with 112 yards rushing on just 14 carries (averaging 8 yards per carry). He’s splitting carries with junior B.J. Smith (19 carries, 97 yards, two touchdowns) and redshirt freshman D.K. Billingsley (10 carries, 64 yards). Senior receivers Deondre Douglas and Damion Willis continue their role as the primary receivers for Troy. Douglas has caught 10 passes for 128 yards while Willis has eight catches for 75 yards; each has two touchdown passes this season.

Troy’s defense is led by sophomore middle linebacker Justin Whisenhunt (6’1” 219 lbs.), who won the starting job over Kevin Nixon this summer after missing the spring practices with an injury. In two games, Whisenhunt has 11 tackles (two for a loss) with two quarterback hurries. Junior weakside linebacker Tron Folsom (6’2” 218 lbs.) intercepted two Florida A&M passes last weekend, including one with a 53 yard touchdown return.