Troy inks deal with Boise State

If you’re a fan of exotic non-conference football match-ups, this one is for you.

Troy University and Athletics Director John Hartwell have announced a two-game deal that will match the Trojans against Boise State.

The deal has Troy traveling to Boise, ID, in 2017 with the Broncos visiting Veterans Memorial in 2018.

Boise State, who competed at the junior college level until 1968, has become a juggernaut in the Western Athletic Conference over the past decade. The Broncos have won two Fiesta Bowls (2007 and 2010) and have one of the NCAA’s best home records.

BSU has never played in the state of Alabama and Troy has never played in the state of Idaho. The Broncos have never played a current Sun Belt Conference opponent though they did go 3-3 against North Texas from 1994-2000 defeat Middle Tennessee State in 1990; both will play football in Conference USA in 2013. Troy’s only contest against a school from Idaho came in 2004 when the Trojans defeated the University of Idaho 47-7 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Troy  also announced the addition of Abilene Christian to the 2014 non-conference schedule. Abilene Christian will move up to NCAA Division I affiliation and join the Southland Conference on July 1, 2013. The Wildcats will visit Veterans Memorial Stadium on Sept. 13, 2014.

Troy picks up pair of commitments

Troy added to its commitment list this week adding Ariton High School defensive end Seth Roberts and Madison County High School running back Jordan Chunn. I will contact the players later in the day when they get home from school. I will also get a static list of commitments posted on the blog ASAP.

Ariton head coach Julius Head confirmed Roberts’ commitment and said the Trojans were getting not only a top-notch player, but a quality person.

“He goes above and beyond. He is a good defensive player and goes 110 percent every play,” Head said. “What makes him special is that he works hard in the weight room and does the extra things to make him better.”

Roberts (6-4, 225) is Troy’s second defensive player to commit and second defensive end as St. Paul’s Bryan Slater pledged to the Trojans earlier this year. Roberts also received interest from West Alabama, South Alabama and Jacksonville State.

A Madison County High School representative confirmed running back Jordan Chunn committed with the Trojans.

Chunn’s (6-0, 211) other offers came from Alabama A&M, Arkansas State, Jacksonville State, Middle Tennessee and UAB.

VIDEO: Eric Thomas highlights

Troy junior wide receiver Eric Thomas has made some amazing catches in his time with the Trojans. Here are three of his best:

We’ve talked to Thomas on a couple of occasions about his highlight reel grabs. He told us after the Western Kentucky catch in October that he practices one-handed catches when coaches aren’t looking. If you’ve never seen Thomas in person his hands are huge, so it isn’t a surprise that he can pick a football out of midair.

“I think I can’t get two hands up, so I just throw one up and it sticks to my glove, and I just catch it. Sometimes, I feel better catching with one. I don’t know why,” he said. “I’ve got some big hands. Just spread them out as wide as I can and hold on to it as tight as I can.”

On Monday, Thomas talked particularly about last week’s catch at Tennessee.

“It’s not really hard. Corey just threw it. The ball was coming pretty fast, too. I thought I wasn’t going to get to it. I just stuck my hand up, and I just caught it.”

Thomas has 44 receptions for 521 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Monday press conference notes/quotes

Troy coaches called off practice on Sunday, but said the team watched film. Head coach Larry Blakeney said he was trying something a little different this week. At this point in the season, coaches will tell you if the players don’t know the basic offense and defense by now, they’ll never know it. Troy will begin putting in its game plan tomorrow.

Corey Robinson returns to practice field

Troy Sports Information Director Adam Prendergast tweeted late Sunday that QB Corey Robinson has returned to practice.

Robinson missed Saturday’s 38-37 Troy victory over Florida International as he was recovering from a concussion he sustained against Western Kentucky on Oct. 11.

Adam’s Tweet: “Corey Robinson has progressed through the concussion protocol enough to be cleared for limited no-contact practice; practicing tonight”

Robinson’s inactivity snapped the junior’s streak of 31 consecutive starts as the Trojans quarterback. backup Deon Anthony was 29-41 for 245 yards with 3 touchdowns and also rushed for 115 and a pair of scores.

Head trainer Chuck Ash said last week that clearing a player to practice with contact is the same as clearing him to play. Robinson can not be cleared to do one and not the other.

Notes and Quotes: Troy 38, FIU 37

Game Story – CLICK HERE

GAME NOTES

FINAL: Troy 38, Florida International 37

From the Other Side – FIU w/ Pete Pelegrin

Pete Pelegrin from FIUsports.com cahtted with me about the upcoming Troy-FIU game and the Golden Panthers move to Conference USA.

Find Pete’s work at FIUsports.com or follow him on Twitter @PetePelegrin

UPDATED: Troy center Kyle Wilborn suspended for first half against FIU

Troy has suspended senior center Kyle Wilborn for the first half of the Florida International game on Saturday.

In a release by the Troy athletics department, Troy Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr., explained the reason for the suspension.

“Troy University is commited to preserving good sportsmanship in order to protect the integrity of the game of football and the well-being of those who play this great game,” he said. “Kyle Wilborn, who is one of our team leaders and an outstanding student-athlete, had a brief lapse of judgement in last Thurday’s game and committed a dead ball personal foul. After extensive discussion with our football staff, university administration and Sun Belt Conference representatives, we have decided to suspend Kyle for the first half of Saturday’s game against FIU.”

From the Other Side – FIU w/ David Neal

David Neal of the Miami Herald talks Florida International (1-6, 0-3) football as the team prepares to take on Troy (3-3, 2-2) at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

You can find David on Twitter: @DavidJNeal
You can also read his blog HERE

VIDEO: Deon Anthony talks about taking over for injured Corey Robinson

Quarterback Deon Anthony spoke at Troy’s Monday press conference. I know he has to be full of butterflies potentially heading into his first career start with Troy, but he and his teammates seem to have plenty of confidence with him taking the snaps.