Week 12 Preview: Troy at Old Dominion

The Troy Trojans and Old Dominion Monarchs are both well-rested and coming off bye weeks entering this nationally televised game. The Trojans enter this matchup at 6-3 and 4-1 against the Sun Belt Conference, with their last contest being a 23-10 loss to Arkansas State. Old Dominion also enters this matchup 6-3 but with a 3-2 record against the Sun Belt, with their previous performance being a 31-6 victory over Louisiana-Monroe.

Old Dominion is 4-0 on their home field this year, so Troy will be the first team looking to get a win on Old Dominion’s home field.

Troy

This will be an interesting week for Troy as they plan to use two quarterbacks during the game. Goose Crowder injured his shoulder back on Sept. 13 against Memphis. Crowder was listed as available during their last week against Arkansas State, but never saw the field as Tucker Kilcrease played the full length.

“We decided to keep (Crowder) off the field one more time,” Parker said. “He’ll certainly be cleared and available this week, and he will play.”

Kilcrease filled in well in the six games. Kilcrease went 5-1 as the starting quarterback, completing 64.4% of his passes, throwing for 1,335 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions.

There hasn’t been a starting quarterback named as of yet, but both will get playing time.

While the Trojans will have their own quarterback situation to deal with, slowing down Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph, who is not only a threat with his arm, but he is also an equal threat with his legs, rushing for more yards than most running backs in the Sun Belt Conference.

Joseph ranked third in passing yards in the Sun Belt with 2,231 yards, tied for first in touchdowns with 19, and fifth in rushing yards with 620, which is impressive at the quarterback position. The Trojans know they have to stop Joseph to slow down Old Dominion.

“They got a nice quarterback, he can sling it,” said Troy linebacker Jordan Stringer. “You got some pretty good receivers, but you definitely got to stop him, he’s the head of the operation, and if you control him, we’ve got a good game on our hands.

After a five-game win streak, the Trojans will look to get back in the win column on Thursday night.

Old Dominion

Old Dominion is coming off a victory against Louisiana-Monroe in a game where they jumped ahead early and never truly looked back. Old Dominion had a 24-0 lead at halftime and went on ahead to win 31-6.

Joseph completed 12-of-22 passes for 231 yards and 72 rushing yards on 26 carries and three rushing touchdowns. Receiver Tre’ Brown III ended with five receptions for 83 yards.

The defense for Old Dominion showed up to play, holding Louisiana-Monroe to 293 yards of total offense.

Due to their win against ULM, Old Dominion became bowl-eligible for the fourth time in school history, and the earliest during a season in the history of the program.

“That means everything to us,” said linebacker Jahleel Culbreath. “Everybody wants to go to a bowl game. We earned another game with our brothers, and that’s awesome. But obviously we want more.”

Their game on Thursday is a great opportunity on a national TV stage that they are looking forward to showing the world how good they feel they are.

“That’s an awesome opportunity to show people nationally what Old Dominion is all about, and we’re excited about that,” said Head Coach Ricky Rahne.