Troy football head coach Larry Blakeney put out a call to arms on Wednesday to all Trojans fans. Blakeney wants to see a packed house on Saturday for the team’s home opener against Louisiana-Lafayette.

“We’ve normally had good crowds in home openers and we’ve been successful in home openers and in Veterans Memorial Stadium,” he said. “I think a lot of it is because of great turnouts. I can guarantee that Lafayette is going to bring a large crowd. We need to match it and exceed it.”

The Trojans have averaged 21,182 fans the past three home openers with the largest coming in 2009 with they played host to UAB.

“I’m trying to make sure students and alumni understand the magnitude of the game,” Blakeney said. “We need to make it a home crowd.”

Blakeney enters his 22nd season as Troy’s head coach and the Trojans have won 25 consecutive home openers. That is something he would like to see continue.

“Followship is something that is mighty important to the program for the energy that it furnishes,” he said. “Another thing, at the end of the year the first thing the bowl people look at is how many people are you going to bring. I’m making a huge appeal to everyone that is a part of the Trojan Nation to be there and be ready to go.”

Louisiana-Lafayette packed 29,775 into Cajun Field last season when Tory came to town and walked away with a 31-17 victory over the Trojans.

“That win against us catapulted them into having a good year and into a bowl game win,” Blakeney said. “The represented the Sun Belt not only on the field but in the stands. We want to be sure that we don’t accept anything but the fact that we are going to do the same. We have great people. I’ve spent a lot of time, energy and effort visiting alumni around the region. I’m excited about this team, hopefully we can furnish a great example of our support in this opener.”

Kickoff between Troy and Louisiana-Lafayette is set for 6 p.m.

The traditional Trojan Walk will be held at 3:45 where coaches and players walk from Sartain Hall to the South gate of the stadium.

“We had probably the biggest turnout ever for Trojan Walk last year,” Blakeney said. “We need to make sure we continue that tradition and leave it for the ages, make it something special not only for the players but for everyone involved in our football program.”