Before Troy even steps on the field against Middle Tennessee State, they face challenges in stopping the Blue Raider offense.

The Sun Belt Conference announced the suspension of linebacker De’Von Terry and safety Brynden Trawick for unnecessary roughness penalties they received in last week’s 41-34 home loss to Arkansas State. The suspensions will be for the first half against Middle Tennessee State.

In a release by the conference, Terry was penalized for “unnecessary roughness” because he hit an Arkansas State receiver high to the head and neck area. Trawick was called for “hitting a defenseless player” in which he made contact at the head and neck.

The release went on to say “Though neither player was ejected from the game, both plays were subject to a postgame review based on the NCAA Football Playing Rules Book which states that ‘when there is a foul called for initiating contact/targeting an opponent (Rules 9-1-3 and 9-1-4) that does not result in a player disqualification, there shall automatically be a video review by the conference for possible additional sanctions before the next scheduled game.’”

The Sun Belt Conference, NCAA National Coordinator of Officials and Secretary-Rules Editor Rogers Redding, and also a panel of coordinators of officials made the review on Monday.

Both plays were found to be “targeting” fouls and that additional penalties needed to be assessed.

Troy head coach Larry Blakeney as well as the two players did not comment on the suspensions on Wednesday.

Troy was notified of the suspensions on Tuesday.

Blakeney said at the team’s weekly press conference on Monday that he felt the plays were legal.

“I’ve looked at the plays. I really think we were in compliance with the rules,” he said. “The game is faster than to expect human beings to tell which part of the body hits what part of the body.”

Troy’s veteran coach of 22 seasons said after Saturday’s loss that the game is heading in a “dangerous direction” with the expectations placed on officials to call certain penalties.

“We can take the helmets off, put a leather helmet on, put flags on them and you can jerk them off,” he said. I just think the game, as it is today, we’re treading on thin ice.”

Center Kyle Wilborn was suspended for the first half of Troy’s game against Florida International earlier in the season for a personal foul penalty he committed nine days earlier against Western Kentucky.

Thus far this season, the Sun Belt Conference has suspended eight players, three from Troy, for various rule violations.

Arkansas State’s Don Jones was also suspended one half for his ejection that came in the first half against Troy when he picked up wide receiver K.D. Edenfield and slammed him to the ground.

To view video of the plays and reaction of the suspension visit http://trojanbeat.wordpress.com