Troy University’s football team is poised for its fifth consecutive victory as they prepare to host Sun Belt Conference rival Louisiana at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. The Trojans currently hold an impressive record of 5-2 overall and are undefeated in conference play at 3-0, following a decisive 37-14 win against Louisiana-Monroe last Saturday. Troy is currently tied for first place in the Sun Belt West Division with Southern Miss, who also boasts a 3-0 conference record.
On the flip side, the Ragin’ Cajuns from Louisiana come into the matchup with a 2-5 overall record, standing at 1-2 within the conference. They faced a challenging game last week, losing 22-10 to Southern Miss at home. Historically, Louisiana leads the all-time series against Troy at 14-11, although the teams have split their 10 meetings in Troy. In their previous encounter last season, the Ragin’ Cajuns secured a significant 51-30 victory in Lafayette, which adds to the excitement as the Trojans seek redemption.
A key matchup in Saturday’s game will be between Troy’s offensive line and Louisiana’s defensive line. The Trojans lead the Sun Belt in allowing a staggering 22 sacks this season and are currently dealing with injuries to their offensive line. Their starting running back, Tae Meadows, is also doubtful for the game, making it crucial for the offensive line to provide adequate protection for both quarterbacks and running backs. Conversely, Louisiana’s defense has shown improvement recently, having limited two high-scoring opponents, James Madison and Southern Miss, to only 46 points collectively.
Troy’s story this season is one of remarkable turnaround; they have already surpassed their win total from last year, where they finished with a disappointing 4-8 record under first-year head coach Gerad Parker. A victory on Saturday would not only help them further solidify their position in conference play but also make them bowl-eligible for the third time in four seasons. The Trojans began the season with a 1-3 record but have displayed resilience by winning their last four games, spurred on by a dramatic win against Buffalo that ignited their current successful run.
In terms of player availability, the Trojans will face some challenges as they will begin the game without two defensive starters—linebacker Steven Cattledge and safety David Daniel-Sisavanh—due to targeting ejections in last week’s game. Despite these setbacks, backup Joe Lott emerged impressively by securing two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. Troy also faces uncertainties with their starting left guard, Eli Russ, and center, Paul Bowling, listed as questionable, while starting left tackle Elijah Prather and right tackle Garner Langlo will miss their second and third consecutive games respectively.
Predictively, the matchup leans in favor of Troy, who is anticipated to win with a prediction of 31-20 over Louisiana. The Trojans have shown considerable momentum, particularly on defense while gradually enhancing their offense. Quarterback Tucker Kilcrease has stepped up to play at an all-conference caliber, with a variety of playmakers emerging weekly from the team’s receiver corps. Meanwhile, Louisiana has found it difficult to maintain a steady passing game, despite the recent positive developments from quarterback D’Wayne “Lunch” Winfield.
As the Trojans aim to extend their winning streak, the community and fans are energized by the team’s impressive performance and the potential for a memorable season ahead. The atmosphere at Veterans Memorial Stadium promises to be electric as Troy seeks to claim another victory against their rivals.
The game is set for Saturday, October 25, at 6 p.m. and can be watched through ESPN+.