TSU has chance to go above .500

Staff

Published Thursday, October 25, 2001

The Troy State football team worked out for two hours in full gear on Wednesday, continuing with preparations for Saturday's Homecoming game against Southern Utah.

Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Richard M. Scrushy Field at Memorial Stadium. The game will not be televised.

Trojans Head coach Larry Blakeney said he was pleased with the workout, adding that he has warned his team against letting down this week. With an opportunity to pull above .500 for the first time this season, the Trojans (3-3) shouldn't be tempted to look ahead to next week's showdown with nationally ranked Maryland.

"Our guys know that this week's game is very important for what our goals are this season," Blakeney said. "We've talked about that and about not letting down our guard. We've won two games in a row, but we still have a lot of room to improve in so many areas. Southern Utah is capable of coming in here and beating us just like anyone else. Their record is very deceiving because they have played some very close games."

The Thunderbirds (1-6) have lost six straight since winning their season-opener against Weber State, including a 42-12 decision at South Florida last weekend. This week's game will mark Southern Utah's fourth consecutive road game and its third against a team from the east. The Thunderbirds also played at Western Illinois on Oct. 6.

"They are probably a little travel weary, but it would make their season to come in here and knock us off," Blakeney said. "Our guys have got to be ready, and they know that."

In other notes:

· Junior cornerback Deiric Jackson returned to practice on Wednesday, a day after suffering a sprained ankle, drawing surprise from Blakeney. "The way he turned it (Tuesday), I thought he would be down a while, but it was good to see him back. I hope that means he'll be ready on Saturday." Shelton Felton also practiced for the second consecutive game despite a nagging shoulder injury that has limited his practice and game time the last two weeks.

· The Troy State-Maryland game on Nov. 3 will kick off at 1 p.m. Eastern, the Atlantic Coast Conference school announced on Tuesday. The game will not be televised.

·

The Trojans listened to Herman Boone, former head coach of the Virginia High School chronicled in the movie "Remember the Titans," on Wednesday as part of the school's

Homecoming Week events. The speech was held at the Claudia Crosby Theater.

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