By Danielle Percival

After being sidelined by a deep thigh bruise for a portion of the season, wide receiver Chandler Worthy was let off the leash on Saturday against Ole Miss.

Worthy tore through the Rebels for 133 yards on only seven receptions, but he says that’s only a taste of what’s to come in 2014.

“I mean, I lost pretty much an entire season this year so I’ve got a lot built up inside of me,” Worthy said. “You’re probably gonna see a whole different animal come out next year.”

Worthy was on the receiving end of the Trojans’ two longest plays of the day, including a 64-yard strike from quarterback Corey Robinson on the longest play of the year for Troy.

“He made two really big plays that really helped out,” offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield said. “We thought we had an opportunity to get him a chance to make some of those plays and he did.”

“I knew I was gonna be able to out run the guy,” Worthy said.

What Worthy didn’t account for was the other defender who kept him from taking it to the house.

“I didn’t see the guy until like the last minute and then he tried to strip the ball from my side,” Worthy said.

Worthy didn’t get the touchdown but did make it to the 11-yard line on his longest play in over two seasons and on second thought, that called for some celebrating.

“I should have done my victory dance after I caught it,” Worthy said.

Worthy was in no shape for dancing just a few weeks ago.

He missed two games and had limited playing time against two other opponents while battling his leg injury.

“One of the biggest things about being injured is being able to get over that mental hump,” Worthy said. “Being able to run a route and not [being] sure if your leg is going to go out on you, that’s a horrible feeling to have throughout the whole season. It just feels good to be able to run and feel 100 percent and be able to make the plays you know you can make.”

“Everybody goes through certain things in life and when you overcome everything that you go through and still are able to go out there and play on Saturdays, you’re just proud of the guy,” Robinson said.

Injuries have been a concern on the offensive side of the ball with quarterback Deon Anthony missing a couple games and running back Brandon Burks getting dinged up throughout the year.

According to head coach Larry Blakeney, Anthony is scheduled to be back on the field against Texas State.

Since it will be the final game of the year, Burks says injured or not, he’ll be ready to go.

“I’ll have to suck it up then. Coach Blakeney will get on to me if I don’t,” Burks said. “To him, anything is good to go. If you don’t have a missing limb, you’re good to go, so I’ll be ready.”

The Trojans will take the field at Veterans Memorial Stadium for one final time this season on Friday, November 29th with kickoff at 1 p.m. against Texas State.