After having the weekend off, the Colonel football team hit the practice fields on Monday in preparation for its game against Troy State on this upcoming Saturday. The Colonels are going into this game with a new philosophy on football this week, as they look ahead.
“After our last game we came up with a new motto,” Colonel head coach Darryl Daye said. “We ain’t got no toes on the back of our feet.”
Although the game against Arkansas State was canceled, Daye believes that not playing last week was in the best interest of the team due to the terrorist attacks that transpired last week.
“It’s a very difficult time and its hard to put words to it,” he said. “I am glad we didn’t have to cross that bridge.”
As a result of the cancellation, the Colonels were able to get an extra week of rest for their game against the Trojans.
“The only positive part of getting that week off was that some of the injuries healed up,” Daye said.
This Saturday, a healthy Josh Son will return to action. Although Son is healthy and ready to play, Daye said he will incorporate back-up quarterback Roy Burchett in the offensive scheme.
“Son and Burchett will rotate. Burchett did a nice job for his first time playing in a division I game,” Daye said. “We have a good one-two attack right there, and we can keep a fresh quarterback on the field at all times.”
The Colonels’ offense will attempt to establish the triple option ground attack early in the ball game with the use of two quarterbacks, and a healthy set of running backs.
According to Daye, this will be the first game that the Colonels will play with a healthy squad.
“This will be the first time this season that we will be at full strength,” he said.
The Colonels (0-2) will face a winless Troy State team, but Daye doesn’t feel that their record reflects the quality of the team.
“They are tough to evaluate after playing teams like Nebraska and Middle Tennessee, who beat Vandebilt,” he said. This is the first time I have faced an 0-2 Troy State team. Usually, Troy State doesn’t lose two games a year.”
The Trojans’ offense will be led at the helm by Brock Nutter, who is the second four-year starter in school. Nutter’s 2001 combined passing percentage is 49.3 percent.
“I think they are better than Lafayette in that they have a quarterback who is a little better, and their offensive line is better,” Daye said.
He completed 34 passes out of 69 attempts for 394 total passing yards.
Demontray Carter leads the team in rushing with 103 rushing yards on 21 attempts in the last two previous games.
“The Carter kid is an excellent running back,” Daye said.
The Colonels will not see the Troy State offense they are used to in Saturday’s game. The addition of four wide receivers to its offensive scheme on occasions will give the Colonels some new looks on the defensive end.
“They are a different baby. They’ve changed their offense,” Daye said. “Based on the film we have seen, they are going to throw the football. Will they try to run the ball against us more? We will see.”
The good news for the Colonels is that after this game, they will finish six of the last weeks of play at John Guidry Stadium, although a rescheduled Arkansas State game will extend their season to nine weeks.
