Troy notes: Calvin gives Troy fans glimpse of past

By Drew Champlin

Published: October 26, 2008

Jorrick Calvin put the cornerbacks back on the map and gave Troy fans something to be excited about in the return game.

The junior, a junior college transfer, had a key third-quarter interception in the end zone that stopped a North Texas scoring drive in Troy’s 45-17 win Saturday.

It’s the only time a cornerback has made a pick except for reserve KeJuan Phillips’ interception in garbage time of a 65-0 win over Alcorn State.

But his 95-yard kickoff return after a UNT field goal gave Troy a 39-10 lead and iced the game. The last time Troy had a kickoff return for a score was in 2004 when Leodis McKelvin scored against South Carolina. The last time someone besides McKelvin scored on any special teams return was in 2001.

“Jorrick’s gotten a lot of confidence in the return group,” Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said. “He hit that one full tilt and they made some blocks for him. He got to the second level and the kicker was the only guy and he just ran around him.”

It was the first special teams return for a touchdown by anyone other than Leodis McKelvin for the first time since 2001. McKelvin, who had seven career return touchdowns, is now with the Buffalo Bills.

Troy’s Lang not happy with UNT punter

In the second quarter, Troy defensive end Brandon Lang said he was blocked into UNT punter Truman Spencer after a punt. Spencer did the rest, giving an award-winning performance for his fall, then pretending to limp off the field.

Roughing the punter was called. On the drive, UNT scored on a 32-yard pass from Giovanni Vizzi to Casey Fitzgerald to cut the lead to 22-7.

“You want to jump on him and drop an elbow on him,” Lang said. “That’s their job; it’s what they do.”

Spencer tried the same thing on the next punt when no Trojan was near him until well after the ball was kicked, but it didn’t work.

Glusman has rough night
Junior kicker Sam Glusman was one of the Sun Belt’s best kickers coming into the game, hitting 22-of-23 extra points, but Saturday night was one he’d like to forget.

Glusman missed his first extra point, had his second extra point blocked, and missed another extra point on his final try. He missed a 48-yard field goal to the left, and one of his extra point tries went off the upright and through. Coaches are hoping it was just an off night.

“That’s all we can do right now,” Blakeney said. “He’s a better kicker than that. He really made a great kick on the long field goal but barely missed.”

Pregame injury notes
Danny Franks missed his second straight game at center because of an ankle injury suffered against FAU on Oct. 7. Steven Adams started in his place and Wes Potter started at right guard. At linebacker, Bear Woods didn’t play because of a nagging foot injury originally suffered in the season opener Aug. 28. Redshirt freshman Donnell Golden started in his place. Woods also missed the Alcorn State game Sept. 13.

Day of firsts
Running back Xavier Moreland caught his first two passes of the season on Troy’s second touchdown drive, gaining 16 yards. Linebacker Donnell Golden got his first career interception in the first quarter off a tipped pass. With 41 seconds left in the first quarter, Sam Glusman’s 48-yard field goal attempt was long enough, but just left. It was his first missed field goal of the year. Jorrick Calvin’s third-quarter interception in the end zone was the first of his season and career, as was Xavier Lamb’s late interception.

Troy captains
Troy captains were receiver Cornelius Williams, right tackle Dion Small, defensive tackle Maurice Coleman and safety Tavares Williams. North Texas won the toss and deferred.

BEST/WORST
Best punt: Truman Spencer boomed a 54-yarder after UNT went three and out on its first drive.

Best trickeration: Troy’s first possession of the second half saw Tanner Jones come in at QB, throw a pass to Jonathan Chandler, who threw it back to Jones. Jones went 47 yards to the UNT 2 to set up a score.

Best snuff: Troy’s Terence Moore stopped UNT’s Casey Fitzgerald for no gain when the Mean Green tried a reverse on their first play.

Best start: Troy QB Levi Brown went 5-of-5 for 80 yards on Troy’s first drive.

Best acting: UNT punter Truman Spencer turned in an award-winning performance when he was touched by Troy’s Brandon Lang after a second-quarter punt. He got up, went back down and pretended to be hurt, then “gingerly” walked off the field. Roughing the punter was called and UNT scored later.

Worst acting: Spencer tried to fall down and fake an injury after his next punt, but the referees recognized his motives. No penalty was called.

Worst decision: Kennard Burton caught a pass at the UNT 7 late in the first half, reversed direction but was caught and tackled for a loss back at the 19.