Marshall Inks Three-Game Football Deal With Troy State

6/1/2001

HUNTINGTON, WV - Marshall University has announced the signing of a three-game football contract with Troy State University that will bring the Trojans to Marshall University Stadium in 2002 and 2004.

The contract calls for the Thundering Herd to make one trip to play Troy State, either at Scrushy Field in Troy or in Montgomery, Ala., at the Cramton Bowl, site of the annual Blue-Gray All-Star game.

The dates for the scheduled games are October 19, 2002, at Marshall, August 30, 2003, at Troy State, and September 4, 2004, at Marshall.

"We are excited to have Troy State on our schedule for the next three years," Herd coach Bob Pruett said. "It will be a good series for us not only because it gives us an additional home game in 2002 and 2004, but also because Troy State gives us a quality Division I-A opponent."

Troy State, which has been a member of the Division I-AA Southland Football League for the last five years, will spend the 2001 season as a transitional Division I-A school. The Trojans will play as an independent and have games scheduled against Nebraska, Mississippi State, Miami (Fla.) and Maryland this fall.

The Trojans finished 2000 with a 10-2 record and a second consecutive Southland Conference title. They finished the regular season ranked No. 3 in the ESPN/USA Today Division I-AA poll.

During coach Larry Blakeney's 10 seasons at Troy State, the Trojans have posted an overall record of 92-29-1 and made seven trips to the Division I-AA playoffs. He is assisted by former Marshall player and assistant coach Greg Adkins, who coaches the Trojans' offensive line.

Marshall and Troy State faced each other twice in the 1990s, with the Herd posting a 24-21 victory in the 1993 Division I-AA playoffs and a 42-12 victory during the 1998 regular season.

"Associate Athletic Director David Steele and Coach Pruett have both worked very hard to make this contract with Troy State a reality," Lance West, Director of Athletics at Marshall, said. "I appreciate all of the hard work that goes into our football scheduling."

With the addition of Troy State to the 2002 schedule, the Herd is guaranteed seven home games next year in addition to a road game at Virginia Tech (9/7). Marshall will host Appalachian State (9/14) and Texas Christian (9/28) along with Troy State and four Mid-American Conference games.