2001: The Nicholls State Game
After the 0-2 start, the attacks on 9/11, the death of Logan Markham, and the cancellation of the App State game, Troy needed a win, both figuratively and literally. This was the first 0-2 start for the Trojans since 1985.
Veteran defensive tackle Davern Williams summed up the state of the Trojans best: “We needed a wakeup call.” For him, that wake up call came on the heels of the MTSU game. Troy needed to get better fast or the 2001 season would be forgettable at best.
The intense focus of the Trojans came down solely on the hapless 0-2 Nicholls State Colonels. If this Trojan squad didn’t pick up a win this week, an 0-5 record was guaranteed by the time they played another I-AA opponent. The next two opponents after Nicholls were both ranked in that week’s AP Poll. To build momentum for the season (and the future), the Trojans had to start winning.
Troy came out in front of a raucous 18,000 spectators in Veterans Memorial Stadium and ran Nicholls State off of Richard M. Scrushy Field. The Trojans were able to secure what looked like an easy 26-0 win over the Colonels, but the score could’ve been much worse. Were it not for the NSU rushing attack keeping the ball for over 36 minutes and rushing for 236 yards, the Trojans could’ve poured on more.
Keeping the ball on the ground was the only major area of the game that the Colonels exceeded the Troy attack. This had been a problem for the Trojans all season so far, giving up 330 rushing yards to Nebraska and another 313 to MTSU.
The Trojan Spread was working really well against the Colonels’ defense on that day. Only one of Troy’s four scoring drives lasted longer than three minutes, and that one was in the fourth quarter. In fact, the Trojans made the most of almost every possession, and in quick time too.
The Colonels outrushed Troy (236 to 142) and held the ball for 13 minutes more (36:13 vs 23:47), but nothing worked for Nicholls State. While first downs were essentially even (18 for NSU to 17 for Troy), almost everything else was in favor of the Trojans.
Troy outpassed the Colonels (147 to 103), were more efficient through the air, and didn’t turn the ball over, despite fumbling twice. More surprisingly, the Colonels fumbled 6 times, but turned the ball over once. Penalties also plagued Nicholls all day, committing 16 for 135 yards. Troy only committed 8 penalties for 76 yards.
The Trojan offense seemingly could do no wrong that day. Senior quarterback Brock Nutter went 10-18 passing for 130 yards and scored two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground. Demontray Carter led all Trojans with 13 carries for 49 yards and the first touchdown of the afternoon. In fact, the only quarter the Trojans didn’t score was the second.
Chris Cox added a second touchdown in the second quarter and LeBarron Black added another in the third. Drew Boteler missed the point-after on the Black touchdown, making the score 20-0. When Nutter ran in for the final score, Coach Blakeney tried for a 2-point conversion, but the Brock Nutter pass fell incomplete. This left the final score 26-0.
Troy made certain that multiple people were involved in the offense. Seven players rushed the ball, including Nutter, and another seven caught at least one pass. Backup quarterback Hansell Bearden also saw action, 3 for 4 passing in garbage time.
After two tough opening losses, and the September 11th attacks, the Trojans had been through quite a gauntlet through the first four weeks of the season. The old adage says “winning cures all ills,” and while there were still improvements to be made, the Trojans were able to get in the win column for the first time that season. Following this victory, the Trojans would have another week off before heading south to play the #1 Miami Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl.