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TROY |
NTEXAS |
Silvers lifts Troy over UNT, 50-30, in New Orleans Bowl
NEW ORLEANS (AP) When Troy quarterback Brandon Silvers glanced around the Superdome, his eyes would stop on the name of Archie Manning, who has become one of his mentors, or on spots in the stands where he's sat during games he attended as a fan.
During his next visit, he'll be able to look at spots on the field where he threw four touchdown passes, as well as the end zone where he ran for a short score, to help the Trojans beat North Texas 50-30 in the New Orleans Bowl on Saturday.
''Just being on that field today is going to be one of my great memories for a long time,'' Silvers said.
Silvers, a former counselor at Manning's football camp, threw for 305 yards, completing 24 of 31 passes. The Orange Beach, Alabama, native was intercepted once on a deep throw, but that hardly mattered in a game controlled by Troy's defense, which produced five North Texas turnovers.
''Our ability to get pressure on quarterback was probably the difference,'' said Troy coach Neal Brown, who has presided over 21 victories in the past two seasons.
Josh Anderson, filling in for injured starter Jordan Chunn, rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns for Troy (11-2).
Two of Silvers' TD passes went to Damion Willis, whom Silvers targeted more than usual because of an early injury to receiver Deondre Douglas. Willis had 136 yards on a New Orleans Bowl-record-tying 11 catches.
''I hated that Deandre went down, but like coach said, you can't flinch,'' Willis said. ''I didn't flinch today.''
Mason Fine passed for 303 yards and three touchdowns for North Texas (9-5), but was intercepted twice and fumbled twice. He finished with Mean Green single-season records of 4,052 yards and 31 TDs passing.
''Their font seven- that defensive line - gave me fits all day,'' Fine said. ''We never got in a rhythm. We never got comfortable.''
The Trojans were threatening to take a three-touchdown lead in the second quarter when a bad snap sailed over Silvers' head and linebacker Colton McDonald scooped it for a 56-yard fumble return to make it 22-13. Fine later found Michael Lawrence for a 13-yard TD on a diving catch near the sideline, making it 22-20.
But early in the third quarter, Fine's short pass was deflected back to linebacker Hunter Reese, whose interception set up Silvers' keeper to make it 29-20.
Troy widened the lead when Silvers rifled a 59-yard TD pass down the middle to Tevaris McCormick, who had 107 yards on five catches.
Troy raced to a 15-0 lead, starting with Anderson's 1-yard run before converting Fine's first fumble - forced by defensive tackle Jamal Stadom - into Anderson's 2-yard touchdown.
THE TAKEAWAY
Troy: The Trojans received one vote in the last AP Poll, but might get more after arguably the greatest season in program history. One of the Trojans' 11 victories came on the road against, No. 16 LSU, which has a chance to finish with 10 wins.
North Texas: The Mean Green's struggles on defense this season meant its offense would need a clean, efficient performance. Instead, UNT was turnover-prone and struggled to protect Fine. Missing injured top rusher Jeffery Wilson only made matters worse as UNT had minus-8 yards rushing.
BATTERED
Fine was hit often and sacked six times, sometimes getting up slowly and limping - but never leaving the game.
''Everybody who watched the game understands how tough he is,'' UNT coach Seth Littrell said. ''He's not going to quit on his teammates. That's why he's so respected in our locker room.''
Troy's sacks were split among six players.
''There's not a dominant guy on our defense because everybody makes plays,'' Stadom said.
DIVERGENT FORTUNES
A lingering knee injury denied senior Troy running back Jordan Chunn a chance to set a Sun Belt Conference career record for touchdowns rushing.
Troy did not reveal until kickoff that Chunn was unable to return from his Dec. 2 injury against Arkansas State.
Chunn has 47 career rushing TDs, one short of the league-record set by Tyrell Fenroy of Louisiana-Lafayette in 2008.
Chunn's absence, meanwhile, produced the first 100-yard day for Anderson, a fellow senior.
''I don't think you could really go out any (better) way,'' Anderson said.
UP NEXT
Troy's offense will have to move forward without Silvers and Chunn. Their replacements will debut in Troy's 2018 opener on Sept. 1 at home against Boise State.
North Texas has a relatively young squad with only a handful of senior starters. UNT will have to replace starters at safety, defensive end, linebacker and right tackle. North Texas opens 2018 at home on Sept. 1 vs. SMU.
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Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
B. SilversĀ
12 QB
|
B. Silvers | 24/31 | 305 | 4 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. AndersonĀ
33 RB
|
J. Anderson | 22 | 113 | 2 | 55 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HendersonĀ
9 RB
|
J. Henderson | 5 | 25 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. BarkerĀ
7 QB
|
K. Barker | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. McCormickĀ
11 WR
|
T. McCormick | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. SmithĀ
26 RB
|
B. Smith | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. SilversĀ
12 QB
|
B. Silvers | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
D. WillisĀ
15 WR
|
D. Willis | 0 | 11 | 135 | 2 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. McCormickĀ
11 WR
|
T. McCormick | 0 | 5 | 107 | 1 | 59 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. JohnsonĀ
2 WR
|
J. Johnson | 0 | 4 | 39 | 1 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. LettonĀ
17 WR
|
S. Letton | 0 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. AndersonĀ
33 RB
|
J. Anderson | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
C. RookardĀ
24 S
|
C. Rookard | 8-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. LebbieĀ
5 LB
|
S. Lebbie | 5-1 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. StadomĀ
30 DT
|
J. Stadom | 5-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. MurrayĀ
35 S
|
T. Murray | 4-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. FolsomĀ
29 LB
|
T. Folsom | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. ReeseĀ
47 LB
|
H. Reese | 3-0 | 1.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. JonesĀ
8 CB
|
M. Jones | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. FlakesĀ
15 DB
|
A. Flakes | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. WhisenhuntĀ
25 LB
|
J. Whisenhunt | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. TyusĀ
12 S
|
M. Tyus | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. McDowellĀ
27 CB
|
J. McDowell | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BarkerĀ
40 DE
|
A. Barker | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. WesleyĀ
19 S
|
A. Wesley | 1-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. WebbĀ
48 DT
|
M. Webb | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. RussellĀ
10 DB
|
T. Russell | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. LuckyĀ
91 DE
|
K. Lucky | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HarrisĀ
9 CB
|
J. Harris | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. DunlapĀ
14 CB
|
T. Dunlap | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ky. NixonĀ
22 S
|
Ky. Nixon | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Poole IIĀ
97 DT
|
B. Poole II | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. BridgesĀ
50 LB
|
Z. Bridges | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
T. SumpterĀ
98 K
|
T. Sumpter | 0/0 | 0 | 6/6 | 6 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
T. SumpterĀ
98 K
|
T. Sumpter | 6 | 38.3 | 1 | 44 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. JonesĀ
8 CB
|
M. Jones | 6 | 15.0 | 21 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E. ThompsonĀ
8 WR
|
E. Thompson | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
C. RookardĀ 24 S
|
C. Rookard | 2 | -0.5 | 1 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
M. FineĀ
6 QB
|
M. Fine | 30/54 | 303 | 3 | 2 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
E. JohnsonĀ
26 RB
|
E. Johnson | 6 | 26 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. SmithĀ
21 RB
|
N. Smith | 6 | 19 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. TuckerĀ
25 RB
|
A. Tucker | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. FineĀ
6 QB
|
M. Fine | 8 | -58 | 0 | 1 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
M. LawrenceĀ
32 WR
|
M. Lawrence | 0 | 6 | 70 | 1 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Bussey Jr.Ā
8 WR
|
R. Bussey Jr. | 0 | 4 | 64 | 1 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. SmileyĀ
1 WR
|
T. Smiley | 0 | 4 | 48 | 1 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
E. JohnsonĀ
26 RB
|
E. Johnson | 0 | 4 | 31 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. TuckerĀ
25 RB
|
A. Tucker | 0 | 4 | 28 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. SmithĀ
87 TE
|
K. Smith | 0 | 3 | 22 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. PirtleĀ
88 WR
|
J. Pirtle | 0 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. GuytonĀ
9 WR
|
J. Guyton | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Q. JacksonĀ
13 WR
|
Q. Jackson | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
N. SmithĀ
21 RB
|
N. Smith | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. MuhammadĀ
4 S
|
K. Muhammad | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. ChumleyĀ
15 TE
|
C. Chumley | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
N. BrooksĀ
9 DB
|
N. Brooks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
E. EjiyaĀ
22 LB
|
E. Ejiya | 8-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. JenkinsĀ
2 DB
|
E. Jenkins | 7-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. MuhammadĀ
4 S
|
K. Muhammad | 6-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. McClainĀ
6 S
|
K. McClain | 6-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. WheelerĀ
18 LB
|
J. Wheeler | 5-1 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. DavisĀ
5 S
|
T. Davis | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. PrestonĀ
27 DB
|
A. Preston | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. TauaaloĀ
15 DT
|
T. Tauaalo | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ke. HallĀ
16 DB
|
Ke. Hall | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. YoungĀ
49 DL
|
R. Young | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. HamiltonĀ
50 DE
|
L. Hamilton | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. GarnerĀ
37 LB
|
B. Garner | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. JohnsonĀ
90 DE
|
T. Johnson | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. McDonaldĀ
41 LB
|
C. McDonald | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. LawrenceĀ
32 WR
|
M. Lawrence | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. WilliamsĀ
49 K
|
Z. Williams | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. DavisĀ
21 CB
|
C. Davis | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. FluscheĀ
99 DE
|
A. Flusche | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
T. MooreĀ
30 K
|
T. Moore | 1/1 | 24 | 3/3 | 6 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
B. PattersonĀ
93 P
|
B. Patterson | 4 | 40.0 | 2 | 48 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
L. HamiltonĀ
50 DE
|
L. Hamilton | 4 | 12.0 | 18 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E. JohnsonĀ
26 RB
|
E. Johnson | 1 | 26.0 | 26 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Bussey Jr.Ā
8 WR
|
R. Bussey Jr. | 1 | 53.0 | 53 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. DardenĀ 84 WR
|
J. Darden | 1 | 5.0 | 5 | 0 |