AMHERST — With its five-game losing streak behind it, the UMass football team will try to take a sizable step forward by beating a good team.
“It was great winning last week, but you have to forget about it move on and try to get the win,” senior fullback John Robinson-Woodgett said. “We hope to accomplish what we want to accomplish every week to be 1-0 at the end of the week.
Troy doesn’t have the name recognition as some of UMass’ other opponents, but after Florida, the Trojans (6-1) might be the second-best.
Troy has beaten Austin Peay, Southern Mississippi, New Mexico State, Idaho, Georgia State and South Alabama. Its lone loss was at then-No. 2 Clemson, 30-24.
UMass and Troy meet at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama.
“You look not only at the score, but the way they played” Clemson, UMass coach Mark Whipple said. “That was probably (Clemson quarterback and Heisman contender) Deshaun Watson’s worst game. Troy knows how to win. They’re playing like a team that’s won a lot. They’re playing really good complimentary football.”
UMass quarterback Andrew Ford agreed.
“They’re a really good team,” Ford said. “It’s going to take our best game to have a chance. They were in it until the end (against Clemson) and probably should have won it.”
Ford said beating a bowl eligible team, which the Minutemen haven’t done in their five seasons as a Bowl Subdivision team, would be a big step.
“Every win is a good win for a young football team, but especially going on the road in a hostile environment against a really, really good football team,” Ford said. “Our goals haven’t changed. We have to get better every week and play our best game.”
Troy is far and away the top scoring offense in the Sun Belt. The Trojans average 37.6 points per game and 481.6 yards per game.
Junior quarterback Brandon Silvers is the trigger. His 15 touchdown passes leads the Sun Belt. He’s completed 156 of 247 pass attempts with six interceptions.
Emanuel Thompson has been his favorite target with 43 catches for 407 yards and four touchdowns. Deondre Douglas isn’t far behind with 41 catches for 469 yards and four TDs of his own. Tailback Jordan Chunn leads the Sun Belt with an average of 116.6 yards per game and his seven rushing touchdowns are tied for the conference best.
While Neal Brown coached teams are always good offensively, this Troy squad is also second in the Sun Belt in points allowed at just 19.9. The Trojans have been particularly tough against the run, allowing a conference-best 105.4 yards rushing.
The best way to beat Troy is to throw the ball effectively as the Trojans have allowed 271.9 yards passing per game, but they have 14 interceptions.
HONORS — Logan Laurent is officially a candidate for the Ray Guy Award annually given to the nation’s top punter. He’s averaging 42.4 yards per punt.
Senior center Fabian Hoeller was named to CoSIDA Academic All-District team Thursday. That puts him on the ballot to be an Academic All-American honors. Hoeller is a microbiology major with a 3.61 GPA.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage