Troy’s Keys for Improvement in 2018

A new season, a new team. Troy is coming off of its most successful year in FBS history, going 11-2 last year. Improving on that will be nearly impossible, especially with the departure of several key players.

However, there are three things Troy can do to minimize the impact of the attrition. Here are the Trojans’ keys to success.

Gel on offense early

Troy had so much offensive talent last season that it truly did not know what to do with it all. The Trojans came out incredibly flat on offense, costing them wins against Boise State and South Alabama and relying on defense to take down LSU.

It took the South Alabama game and an injury to star back Jordan Chunn in October for Neal Brown to switch up the gameplan. When that happened, the offense was suddenly an explosive vertical attack.

With a new quarterback and a fresh running back stable, that simply cannot happen if Troy wants to come out ahead after the initial four-game gauntlet in September.

Fill some shoes on defense

Troy is loaded on defense. Also, the sky is blue. The Trojans are reloading with experienced talent at several positions, mainly on the defensive line. Troy’s all-important linebacker group will see a couple of relatively green faces, though.

Inside linebacker Sam Lebbie and spears Tyquae Russell and Andre Flakes have graduated, leaving a pair of imperative holes to fill. Redshirt freshman Carlton Martial and sophomore Justin Whisenhunt will be stepping in to try and fill the void left by Lebbie while Tyler Murray and Will Sunderland will play the spear.

Depth and versatility from the will linebackers are going to benefit Troy tremendously while the fresh faces get accustomed to their newfound roles. However, Martial and co. will need to produce in order to keep Troy’s linebacker group at the top of the Sun Belt.

Consistent special teams play

Special teams looked like it was going to be a big weakness for the Trojans throughout the season. Kick coverage was abysmal against Boise State and place kicker Evan Legassey struggled mightily while filling in for the injured Bratcher Underwood.

The poor punt return coverage proved costly against the Broncos while Legassey’s missed field goal late in the South Alabama game was a tipping point.

Legassey (1/5) gave way to Tyler Sumpter, who finished the year making seven of nine field goals. On the other side of the equation, Marcus Jones became an electric returner, returning three kicks back for scores. Troy will need every advantage it can get in the early goings of 2018.