Tuesday Takeaways: Marshall by the Numbers
That’s more like it. Troy absolutely dominated Marshall on defense.
Saturday’s performance revealed the monster this unit truly is, holding a team that scored 37 points a game… to just 7.
One of the Sun Belt’s best backs had a 100-yard game… but he averaged fewer than 4 yards per carry.
It’s fewer than 3.5 yards per carry if you take away his longest run, too.
The offense? It was a little lackluster. It stayed in the game, though, and for the most part it gave the defense rest.
It could definitely work on some things though.
The Good
9 – The number of points Brooks Buce had
The kicker literally outscored Marshall himself. He wasn’t the difference maker, he was the leading scorer.
It’s the number one reason you take the points. Kick the ball, especially when you know you can make it.
7 – The number of points scored by the defense
Buddha Jones made the play of his life on Saturday. Every lineman dreams of that moment, and he kept Troy’s turnover victories rolling.
What’s more, he outscored the offense. We’ll get to that, though.
Great job big guy.
7 – The number of points Marshall scored.
As for the rest of the defense, what more can I say about it? It shaped the game.
This wasn’t a Lindsey defense that got tired as the game went on, though we saw some fatigue at times.
Still, this defense prevented some massive drives. The only time it broke was when a turnover gave the Herd the ball in the red zone.
That’s hardly the defense’s fault.
7 – The number of times Troy sacked Marshall’s quarterback
Before Saturday, Troy had just five sacks for the season… and just one against FBS teams. The Trojans got to Marshall’s quarterback as many times Saturday as they did in the previous six games against FBS opponents combined.
The result? 11-20 for 78 yards and no touchdowns. That’s both Marshall passers together.
8 – The number of quarterbacks around the country with more passing yards than Gunnar Watson.
Gunnar is getting the job done. This is a much better offense than the last three years.
I’m seeing an improvement in his play specifically, but old habits die hard too. He’s still taking too long in the pocket.
If he can get the ball out quicker, this offense will really pick up steam… and begin to dominate.
2 – The number of Troy wide receivers with more than 100 yards
Tez Johnson and Jabre Barber killed it on the stat sheet. Add Marcus Rogers’ lone 50-yard reception and you have three deep threats.
Secondary coaches aren’t just sweating they’re drenched.
18 – The number of tackles by Carlton Martial on Saturday.
Believe me, I will get to the big number. But this one deserves a mention too. Martial tied his own spot at No. 6 for most tackles in a game by a Troy player.
That now means he owns or is tied for the Nos. 2, 4, 6, 6 and 11 spots all-time. That’s five spots in the top 11, and Anthony Rabb has only three.
The Bad
0 – The number of points the offense scored
This is concerning. Troy drove down the field as quickly and often as it wanted, but it didn’t come away with any offensive points.
The offense has to get it done in the red zone. It didn’t on Saturday.
4 – Turnovers by Troy, including downs
Here’s the breakdown:
- 1 INT
- 2 lost fumbles
- 1 turnover on downs
Troy has to eliminate this. Period.
Opponents will take advantage of these mistakes, even if calling it on fourth down doesn’t really seem like a terrible idea.
Risk management is the name of the game, remember?
3 – The number of times Troy converted a third down against Marshall
Keeping the drive alive and leaving the defense on the sideline are the two most important jobs of an offense, besides scoring points of course.
We’ve already talked about two of those three, so here’s the third.
Taking deep shots with deep threats is necessary to keep a defense honest, but you also have to manage the shallow side of the field too.
Pick up chunks of yards however you need to. Get that extra step in, or lean forward when you can.
The Incredible
460 – The number of times Carlton Martial has tackled someone in a game
That’s just insane to think about.
Imagine tackling one person over and over again 460 times.
No other player in the Sun Belt has ever accomplished that, until Saturday, and the man who did it wears Cardinal.
Martial will go down as one of Troy’s greatest players, right next to Demarcus Ware, Osi Umenyiora, Jerrel Jernigan, Al Lucas and so many more.
Sincerest congratulations.
Now, where does he stand in the Troy record books? Still third… but that may change next week.
If Carlton makes just six more tackles, he’ll be No. 2 all-time on Troy’s tackle list.
He still needs 103 to take the top spot, but if he has games like this one all year it’s a genuine possibility.
I mean, just look at that helmet.