Watson leads Troy to season-opening victory, 47-14
Troy's safety and TD before the half breaks open game vs. Middle Tennessee
Troy turns a 10-point lead into a 19-point lead in less than two minutes right before the half as they the cruise to a 47-14 win over Middle Tennessee.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Gunnar Watson threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns and Troy opened its season with a 47-14 victory over Middle Tennessee State on Saturday.
Watson threw both of his touchdown passes to Khalil McClain in the first half, including a 5-yarder with three seconds left before the break to lead 26-7.
Three Trojans running backs scored on short runs with Troy rushing for 240 yards. Troy outgained MTSU 496-241.
Troy's Will Choloh had a sack for a safety and Terence Dunlap two of the Trojans' three interceptions.
MTSU (0-2) limited fan capacity to 7,000 in their 30,788-seat stadium with face coverings required.
Troy will host MTSU in a second regular-season meeting on Nov. 21. A second game was slated after Troy's four originally scheduled nonleague games were canceled. It's the third time since 1999 that two Division I teams will play in the same regular season.
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Game Information
2024 Sun Belt Conference Standings
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Marshall | 5-1 | 7-3 |
Georgia Southern | 4-2 | 6-4 |
James Madison | 4-2 | 8-2 |
Old Dominion | 3-3 | 4-6 |
Coastal Carolina | 2-4 | 5-5 |
App State | 2-4 | 4-5 |
Georgia State | 0-6 | 2-8 |
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Louisiana | 5-1 | 8-2 |
Texas State | 4-2 | 6-4 |
Arkansas State | 4-2 | 6-4 |
South Alabama | 4-2 | 5-5 |
UL Monroe | 3-3 | 5-5 |
Troy | 2-4 | 3-7 |
Southern Miss | 0-6 | 1-9 |
2024 Conference USA Standings
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Jacksonville State | 6-0 | 7-3 |
Western Kentucky | 5-1 | 7-3 |
Sam Houston | 5-1 | 8-2 |
Liberty | 4-2 | 7-2 |
Louisiana Tech | 3-4 | 4-6 |
Florida International | 2-4 | 3-7 |
Middle Tennessee | 2-4 | 3-7 |
UTEP | 2-5 | 2-8 |
New Mexico State | 1-5 | 2-8 |
Kennesaw State | 1-5 | 1-9 |