2021 Troy Trojans football team explained
| Year: | 2021 |
| Team: | Troy Trojans |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Sun Belt Conference |
| Division: | East Division |
| Short Conf: | Sun Belt |
| Record: | 5–7 |
| Conf Record: | 3–5 |
| Hc Year: | 3rd |
| Hc Games: | first 11 games |
| Head Coach2: | Brandon Hall |
| Hc Games2: | interim, final game |
| Off Coach: | Luke Meadows |
| Oc Year: | 1st |
| Def Coach: | Brandon Hall |
| Dc Year: | 3rd |
| Stadium: | Veterans Memorial Stadium |
The 2021 Troy Trojans football team represented Troy University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Trojans played their home games at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama, and competed in the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference.
Prior to the season, Luke Meadows took over as the team's offensive coordinator after the departure of Ryan Pugh.[1]
Preseason
Recruiting class
|}Source:[2]
Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released
Preseason
Sources:
[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] Sun Belt coaches poll
The Sun Belt coaches poll was released on July 20, 2021. The Trojans were picked to finish fifth in the East Division.[9]
East Division| T1 | Coastal Carolina | 44 (6) |
| T1 | Appalachian State | 44 (4) |
| 3 | Georgia State | 24 |
| 4 | Georgia Southern | 20 |
| 5 | Troy | 18 | |
West Division| 1 | Louisiana | 49 (9) |
| 2 | Arkansas State | 38 (1) |
| 3 | South Alabama | 27 |
| 4 | Texas State | 25 |
| 5 | Louisiana–Monroe | 11 | |
Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference teams
Offense
1st team
- Austin Stidham – Offensive Lineman, JR
2nd team
- Dylan Bradshaw – Offensive Lineman, SR
Defense
1st team
Schedule
The 2021 schedule consists of 6 home and 6 away games in the regular season. The Trojans will travel to Sun Belt foes Louisiana–Monroe, Texas State, Coastal Carolina, and Georgia State. Troy will play host to Sun Belt foes Georgia Southern, South Alabama, Louisiana, and Appalachian State.
Troy will host two of the four non-conference opponents at Veterans Memorial Stadium, Southern, from NCAA Division I FCS Southwestern Athletic Conference and Liberty, a FBS Independent, and will travel to Southern Miss of the Conference USA and South Carolina of the Southeastern Conference.
[10] [11]
Game summaries
Southern
See also: 2021 Southern Jaguars football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| TROY –26.5 | 57 | |
| Statistics | Southern | Troy |
|---|
| First downs | 11 | 27 |
| Total yards | 189 | 467 |
| Rushing yards | 81 | 164 |
| Passing yards | 108 | 303 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 27:29 | 32:31 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Southern | Passing | Ladarius Skelton | 7/11, 85 yards, 2 INTs |
| Rushing | Devon Benn | 11 carries, 50 yards |
| Receiving | Tyler Kirkwood | 4 receptions, 39 yards |
| Troy | Passing | | 17/26, 234 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Rushing | | 15 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 5 receptions, 92 yards, 1 TD | |
Liberty
See also: 2021 Liberty Flames football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| LIB –3.0 | 63 | |
| Statistics | Liberty | Troy |
|---|
| First downs | 22 | 13 |
| Total yards | 339 | 232 |
| Rushing yards | 185 | 21 |
| Passing yards | 154 | 211 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 38:59 | 21:01 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Liberty | Passing | | 13/18, 154 yards, 2 TDs |
| Rushing | Malik Willis | 20 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 3 receptions, 41 yards, 1 TD |
| Troy | Passing | Taylor Powell | 18/25, 211 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Kimani Vidal | 11 carries, 38 yards |
| Receiving | Luke Whittemore | 3 receptions, 71 yards | |
At Southern Miss
See also: 2021 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| TROY –11.0 | 50 | |
| Statistics | Troy | Southern Miss |
|---|
| First downs | 17 | 15 |
| Total yards | 306 | 156 |
| Rushing yards | 51 | -1 |
| Passing yards | 255 | 157 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 30:52 | 28:56 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Troy | Passing | Taylor Powell | 27/39, 255 yards, 2 TDs |
| Rushing | Kimani Vidal | 17 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Tez Johnson | 10 receptions, 106 yards |
| Southern Miss | Passing | Ty Keyes | 16/27, 157 yards, 2 INTs |
| Rushing | | 15 carries, 31 yards |
| Receiving | Antoine Robinson | 3 receptions, 49 yards | |
At Louisiana–Monroe
See also: 2021 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| TROY –23.5 | 50 | |
| Statistics | Troy | Louisiana–Monroe |
|---|
| First downs | 18 | 15 |
| Total yards | 378 | 290 |
| Rushing yards | 67 | 122 |
| Passing yards | 311 | 168 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 31:32 | 28:28 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Troy | Passing | Taylor Powell | 35/49, 311 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Kimani Vidal | 12 carries, 60 yards |
| Receiving | Reggie Todd | 6 receptions, 83 yards |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Passing | Rhett Rodriguez | 10/16, 131 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Andrew Henry | 19 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Zach Jackson | 4 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD | |
At South Carolina
See also: 2021 South Carolina Gamecocks football team.
Georgia Southern
See also: 2021 Georgia Southern Eagles football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| TROY –5.5 | 51 | |
| Statistics | Georgia Southern | Troy |
|---|
| First downs | 17 | 18 |
| Total yards | 301 | 409 |
| Rushing yards | 82 | 139 |
| Passing yards | 219 | 270 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 33:19 | 26:41 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Justin Tomlin | 15/22, 210 yards, 3 INTs |
| Rushing | Gerald Green | 5 carries, 33 yards |
| Receiving | Derwin Burgess Jr. | 2 receptions, 76 yards |
| Troy | Passing | | 24/36, 270 yards, 2 TDs |
| Rushing | Jamontez Woods | 9 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Reggie Todd | 4 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD | |
At Texas State
See also: 2021 Texas State Bobcats football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| TROY –7.5 | 49 | |
| Statistics | Troy | Texas State |
|---|
| First downs | 23 | 21 |
| Total yards | 387 | 370 |
| Rushing yards | 205 | 91 |
| Passing yards | 182 | 279 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 31:09 | 28:51 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Troy | Passing | Gunnar Watson | 22/29, 182 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Kimani Vidal | 25 carries, 162 yards, 2 TDs |
| Receiving | Tez Johnson | 9 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD |
| Texas State | Passing | Brady McBride | 22/32, 279 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs |
| Rushing | Brock Sturges | 11 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Javen Banks | 4 receptions, 96 yards, 1 TD | |
Coastal Carolina
See also: 2021 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| CCU –13.0 | 53 | |
| Statistics | Troy | Coastal Carolina |
|---|
| First downs | 29 | 29 |
| Total yards | 514 | 443 |
| Rushing yards | 176 | 89 |
| Passing yards | 338 | 354 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 36:28 | 23:32 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Coastal Carolina | Passing | | 24/29, 338 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT |
| Rushing | | 20 carries, 120 yards, 2 TDs |
| Receiving | | 11 receptions, 138 yards, 2 TDs |
| Troy | Passing | Gunnar Watson | 25/37, 260 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Jamontez Woods | 9 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 9 receptions, 103 yards | |
South Alabama
See also: 2021 South Alabama Jaguars football team and Battle for the Belt.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| TROY –3.5 | 48 | |
| Statistics | South Alabama | Troy |
|---|
| First downs | 22 | 17 |
| Total yards | 335 | 308 |
| Rushing yards | 148 | 107 |
| Passing yards | 187 | 201 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 36:25 | 23:35 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| South Alabama | Passing | | 20/32, 138 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Terrion Avery | 23 carries, 75 yards |
| Receiving | | 4 receptions, 65 yards |
| Troy | Passing | Gunnar Watson | 11/14, 121 yards |
| Rushing | B. J. Smith | 12 carries, 49 yards |
| Receiving | Luke Whittemore | 3 receptions, 59 yards | |
Louisiana
See also: 2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| LA –6.5 | 48.0 | |
| Statistics | Louisiana | Troy |
|---|
| First downs | 19 | 22 |
| Total yards | 370 | 391 |
| Rushing yards | 204 | 41 |
| Passing yards | 166 | 350 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 31:56 | 28:04 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Louisiana | Passing | | 14/22, 166 yards, 3 TDs |
| Rushing | | 15 carries, 102 yards |
| Receiving | | 2 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD |
| Troy | Passing | Gunnar Watson | 29/55, 350 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Kimani Vidal | 11 carries, 21 yards |
| Receiving | Tez Johnson | 6 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD | |
Appalachian State
See also: 2021 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| APP –10.0 | 51.5 | |
| Statistics | Appalachian State | Troy |
|---|
| First downs | 26 | 6 |
| Total yards | 445 | 142 |
| Rushing yards | 233 | 33 |
| Passing yards | 212 | 109 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 43:17 | 16:43 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Appalachian State | Passing | | 17/24, 212 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs |
| Rushing | Nate Noel | 15 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Thomas Hennigan | 7 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD |
| Troy | Passing | Gunnar Watson | 11/21, 109 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Kimani Vidal | 10 carries, 40 yards |
| Receiving | Tez Johnson | 4 receptions, 44 yards | |
At Georgia State
See also: 2021 Georgia State Panthers football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| GSU –6.5 | 49.5 | |
| Statistics | Troy | Georgia State |
|---|
| First downs | 18 | 21 |
| Total yards | 344 | 387 |
| Rushing yards | 57 | 247 |
| Passing yards | 287 | 140 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 32:56 | 27:04 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Troy | Passing | Gunnar Watson | 21/38, 287 yards, 2 INTs |
| Rushing | B. J. Smith | 13 carries, 35 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Deshon Stoudemire | 4 receptions, 80 yards |
| Georgia State | Passing | | 11/22, 140 yards, 2 TDs |
| Rushing | Jaymest Williams | 15 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Sam Pinckney | 3 receptions, 51 yards, 1 TD | |
Notes and References
- Web site: Troy Tabs Luke Meadows as Offensive Coordinator & Offensive Line Coach. February 2, 2021. May 7, 2021. troytrojans.com. Troy University.
- Web site: Football Adds Maryland Transfer Cherokee Glasgow to Signing Class . Troy University Athletics . 5 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: Carlton Martial Tabbed to Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List . Troy University Athletics . 27 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: Kimani Vidal Named to Doak Walker Award Watch List . Troy University Athletics . 27 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: Dylan Bradshaw Selected to Rimington Trophy Watch List . Troy University Athletics . 27 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: Carlton Martial Named to Butkus Award Watch List . Troy University Athletics . 27 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: Carlton Martial Tabbed to Bronko Nagurski Watch List . Troy University Athletics . 7 August 2021 . en.
- Web site: Will Choloh Selected to Outland Trophy Watch List . Troy University Athletics . 7 August 2021 . en.
- Web site: Sun Belt Announces Football Preseason Awards & Poll . sunbeltsports.org . 26 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: . Troy Trojans Schedule 2021 . . November 14, 2022 .
- Web site: . 2021 Football Schedule . Troy University Athletics . November 14, 2022 .
