By Danielle Percival 

The Troy Trojans may not have been in action this week but having a bye week at this point in the season was considered a win.

“You had all fall camp then you have seven straight ball games,” offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield said. “Everybody needs a little break. I think it was good for them to get a couple days off.

Having an open week in the schedule provided the team some added time to heal the bumps and bruises from the first half of the year.

“It was really big for me, from my standpoint, so my shoulder can get some rest and feel back to normal at least,” quarterback Corey Robinson said.

The Trojans did take the field and practice last week but the players were also given a chance to rest and prepare their bodies for the next contest.

“We had practice Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday,” kicker Jed Solomon said. “Thursday and Friday, I did nothing. I went to class but that’s about it. I don’t even think I stretched.”

With time away from the grind of the game, there can be concerns about picking up where the team left off before the break.

“The one thing you worry about is your timing, but our timing looked really good last night [Sunday],” Edenfield said.

The Trojans ran over 100 plays in their last game against Georgia State and Robinson believes that’s a mark the team can continue to hit.

“As far as moving the football, it hasn’t been much of a problem,” Robinson said. “If we can go up to Western [Kentucky] and get 100 plays, that’s definitely going to benefit us because it’s going to keep it out of their hands.”

The Hilltoppers’ main threat is running back Antonio Andrews, but the Trojans don’t seem to be scared of the competition.

“Going into this game, I’m going to take the same attitude I take into any game: if I bring my best and he brings his best, I don’t feel like I’m going to lose every battle to him,” safety Chris Pickett said. “I don’t feel like he’s a man amongst boys, but it’s going to be a good challenge. I love playing against great talent and that’s what he is.”

The Hilltoppers have struggled with turnovers this season and that’s one area the Trojans are looking to key in on.

“To force turnovers and to get up under a quarterbacks skin to rattle him, you’ve got to apply pressure,” Pickett said. “Going into this week, we’re working on a lot of things.”

These two teams share the same record overall at 4-3 but the Trojans are 2-1 in the Sun Belt while the Hilltoppers are 1-2.

“I think they’re [the players] are excited at the position we’re in. We control our own destiny,” Edenfield said. “One game at a time. We’ve got a real tough challenge this week and I think they’re looking forward to it.”

The Trojans will travel to Bowling Green, Ky. for Saturday’s game at Western Kentucky with kickoff set for 3 p.m.