Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

At his weekly press conference, Troy Football coach Gerad Parker gave up an update on some banged up Trojans along with previewing Troy’s upcoming game against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Last week, starting center Eli Russ missed the Memphis game, while quarterback Goose Crowder left the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury.

“Both will be listed as probable going in,” Parker said of Crowder and Russ’ status heading into Iowa preparation. “We’re hopeful they’ll be able to get back and be able to prepare for the game but both will be a week (long) process to see if they can go.”

If Russ can’t play again, Parker said that redshirt sophomore Boaz Stanley and sophomore Tyler Cappi would once again split time at center.

“Hopefully we can get (Russ) back but both centers, Boaz and Kappi, would get those reps,” Parker said. “Both individuals would be responsible for filling that void if it’s something we have to do, whether that be this week or in the future.”

Parker was impressed with the way that the two backup centers and backup quarterback Matt Caldwell played last week.

“For (Caldwell) to step in and do what he did – he didn’t flinch at all – is a testament to him and his preparation and Coach (Sean) Reagan and the staff,” he said. “I thought he was prepared and the guys rallied around him and supported him. I was proud of his efforts along with Boaz and Kappi, who had to replace a veteran at center in Eli Russ.”

Troy will have a tall task ahead of them with the Iowa offense. The Hawkeyes are coming off a tough 20-19 loss to rival Iowa State last week. Iowa, known historically for its running attack on offense, has added more explosive passing plays this season under new offensive coordinator Tim Lester. Iowa is averaging nearly 400 yards per game with 222 yards per game on the ground.

“Knowing Tim – their coordinator – as well as I do, they have done a really nice job of celebrating what they are in their past,” Parker continued. “They do such a great job under center and in the stretch game and along with their pick people up front and the offensive line with their inside zone and duo games on offense.

“Their schemes are downhill plays to get their bodies on you and work double teams up to the backers and second level players. They have a great identity with running it first and everything packaged with those schemes.”

Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson has amassed 306 yards and four touchdowns in the first two games but Parker is sure to emphasize that Iowa’s offense is set up to get opponents to key in on the running game, so the play-action passing game can attack.

“If they have a stretch (run), they have half roll shots off their stretch play action,” he continued. “If they have stretch (run), they have stretch shot plays and naked (rollouts) off it. Every run game they have is built to have (pass) off it. A play action pass, a naked throw or RPO out of the gun. (Lester’s) ties at Green Bay, being an analyst there last year, helps him and that system. Their personality has remained them, they are physical and big and they’re run first to set up everything else and they have a special running back. So, it’s a big task for us.”

Troy’s defense has struggled to stop the run this season, giving up 213 yards per game on the ground so far in 2024.

“The first thing we have to do to improve our run defense is we have to do better tackling,” Parker said. “It sounds simple but we’re just not tackling well on defense right now. That involves technique and pursuit and the second part is we have to own our gaps and schemes to make sure we’re where we’re supposed to be.”

Parker also had a message for Troy fans after a frustrating loss to Memphis last week.

“I’m very proud of this football team and I believe in this football team,” he emphasized. “I’m not proud of the results but I am proud of where we’re headed and to get there we have to have unbelievable faith in our staff and players, which I have. We are pushing our staff and our players to hold them accountable to execute better and hopefully put ourselves in a position to win football games.

“That is a process, a process we call the creed, which is the truth lies in the work and the results will take care of itself. I will say that until I’m blue in the face.”

Troy plays Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 3 p.m. in a game that will air nationally on FS1.