Troy opens 2020 with dominant win over MTSU

The Troy Trojans (1-0) got 2020 off to a resounding start with a 47-14 win on the road against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (0-2) on Sept. 19.

The Trojan offense was nearly unstoppable putting up 496 yards of offense and the defense held MTSU to just 241 yards and forced three turnovers.

Troy came out firing on all cylinders with a 12-play, 73-yard drive that new starting quarterback Gunnar Watson capped off with an 8-yard touchdown pass to receiver Khalil McClain with 11:13 left in the opening period.

After two more Troy drives – deep into Blue Raider territory – were snuffed out by turnovers, MTSU tied the score on a 2-yard touchdown run from Asher O’Hara with 1:33 left in the first quarter. The tied score wouldn’t last long, however.

Troy retook the lead 14-0 when Texas A&M transfer Charles Strong scored his first career touchdown on a 1-yard plunge with 14:11 left in the first half. Troy never looked back.

Legassey added a 7-yard field goal with 6:50 left to stretch the lead to 17-7 and then defensive tackle Will Choloh dropped a MTSU runner in the end-zone for a safety to swell the lead to 19-7 with 1:29 left in the half.

Watson ended the half with a 10-play, 60-yard drive that was capped off with another 5-yard touchdown pass to McClain to send the Trojans into the half up 26-7.

Troy continued to pour things on in the second half as freshman Kimani Vidal and sophomore DK Billingsley each scored rushing touchdowns in the third quarter.

Former Brantley star Jacob Free scored his first career touchdown when he threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Hussey with 6:22 left in the game.

MTSU finally added a 28-yard touchdown pass with 1:54 left to make the final score 47-14.

Watson ended his first start completing 26-of-37 passes for 248 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Free completed his only pass attempt for eight yards and one touchdown.

In his first game in over a year, BJ Smith rushed for 81 yards on 10 rushing attempts. Strong added 54 yards on 11 carries. McClain caught six passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns, while Bret Clark caught six passes for 59 yards.

Iowa transfer Jayden McDonald led the Troy defense with five tackles, while Dell Pettus added five tackles and one pass breakup. Carlton Martial recorded three tackles, one tackle-for-loss and a pass breakup. Terence Dunlap intercepted two passes and Craig Slocum picked off a pass, as well.

“It’s extremely exciting (to start the season off with a win). At one point we weren’t sure if we would play,” Troy coach Chip Lindsey said. “I told our guys that before we played today, ‘Let’s appreciate this opportunity to play, we weren’t sure we were going to get to. Let’s go out and play every snap like it could be our last, because you never know.’ I think our guys have taken that to heart and I’m really proud of their effort today.”

Following the game, Slocum was named to Pro Football Focus’ National Team of the Week after grading out 91.5 overall for his performance against MTSU. According to PFF, he allowed just one pass completion on two targets and returned an interception for a touchdown that was called back for an illegal block on the return.

The Trojans will have a bigger test this weekend as they travel to Utah to face off against the No. 18-ranked BYU. The game will air on ESPN at 9:15 p.m.