Troy finishes season with 10 wins, 1st time in FBS program history while in FBS

MOBILE — “This is only the beginning.”

That’s what Troy head football coach Neal Brown said after the Trojans’ 28-23 win over Ohio tonight in the Dollar General Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

This was a significant win for the Trojans. This is the first time in Troy’s history that it has garnered 10 wins while in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Last season, the Trojans finished a meager 4-8.

“This is huge,” Brown said after the win.

Leading 21-17 at halftime, the Trojans came out stagnant on offense in the second half.

Troy took advantage of an interception by Ohio’s Greg Windham with less than 6 minutes left in the third, and converted it into points on a touchdown rush from Jordan Chunn. Chunn finished the night with three touchdowns.

Throughout the contest, Troy’s defensive trench dictated the Bobcats’ offensive attack, forcing Windham into the pocket.

Windham was shifty on his feet, and found good plays down field.

The Trojans’ defense, especially on pass protection, was stellar as it has been all season.

Ohio only managed two field goals in the second half from 47 and 37 yards by Louie Zervos, who went 2-for-3 on the night.

Troy’s Brandon Silvers connected with Emanuel Thompson on an 11-yard touchdown p;ass with 4:52 left in the second quarter to give the Trojans a 21-10 lead.

Ohio came back and notched the game to 4 points with 59 seconds left in the first half on a 5-yard pass from Windham to Jordan Reid.

In a game riddled with turnovers — seven for the game — Troy managed to take advantage, scoring 21 off of the giveaways compared to Ohio’s seven points.

Chunn, who was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player, punched a touchdown in from 1-yard on Troy’s second play of the game, and added another with 1:14 left in the first from 3 yards to give the Trojans a 14-7 lead.

Chunn finished the game with 56 yards on 20 carries. Deondre Douglas had 113 yards on six receptions.

Thompson finished with 83 yards on eight receptions.

Silvers went 24-of-41 for 235 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Windham threw for 315 yards and went 23-for-47 and two touchdowns. He threw four interceptions.

Reid had 12 receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown, and Papi White had four receptions for 64 yards.

Troy’s William Lloyd and Tyquae Russell led the Trojans with 7 tackles each. Jalen Rountree and Jawon McDowell had six apiece. Blace Brown, Justin Lucas and Cedarius Rookard had five each.

Lucas was named the game MVP.